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428—STEERING
CHRYSLER SERVICE MANUAL
TOOL
55x178
Fig. 70—Tool C-3469 Installed
If the oil is coming from the vent while mak-
ing the test, remove the unit, place it in the
holding fixture Tool C-3323, and connect test
hoses so that the gear can be operated under
pressure.
Remove the upper housing. To test the gear
for leaks with the housing removed, install Tool
C-3469, Flange-Housing Head Retaining, as
shown in Figure 70.
With the use of this tool, the gear may be
operated under normal pressure and the exact
point of leakage can be determined.
From our experience, we strongly recommend
the use of this flange Tool C-3469 since it pin-
points the exact nature of the leak and eliminates
the possibility of disassembling the gear more
than once for repairs.
When the flange tool is used, proceed with
test as follows:
Remove all traces of oil around the housing
head, upper piston rod and connector assembly.
Start engine and check for source of oil leaks.
Move the control valve off center in each direc-
tion with adjusting tool to build up pressure in
the unit for testing leaks.
Leaks out through the vent hole may be com-
ing from one or more of the following seals:
Reaction Seal—If leaking, oil can be detected
to be coming from the connector assembly. In-
spect seal for signs of shrinkage or being dam-
aged. Use a new seal marked with a silver "M"
as a replacement. Check new seal for snug fit
in the valve control spacer. Also, inspect upper
rod for being scratched at the sealing surface.
Upper Valve Rod "0" Ring—This leak can
also be determined by observing oil coming
from the connector assembly. Inspect for dam-
aged "0" ring or not seating properly due to
foreign material or roughness in the ring
groove. Inspect ring groove location in upper
piston rod to determine if "0" ring can possibly
come out of the groove when pressure is applied.
Install new "0" ring, making sure it is seated
in the upper piston rod. Inspect sealing surface
on the valve rod for roughness or scratches
which would damage the "0" ring.
Upper Piston Rod Seal—Leaks from this seal
will appear around the upper piston rod at the
housing head. Inspect for damaged seal or im-
proper seating in the housing head. Examine
seal seating surface in the housing head for
nicks, burrs, etc., and the sealing surface travel
on upper piston rod for scratches. Make sure
new seal is seated in the housing head.
Porous Housing Head—Inspect for oil seeping
through pores in housing head. Replace housing
head, if leaking.
Mating Surface Between the Upper and
Lower Housings—Leakage at the mating sur-
face may be caused by looseness of the three
attaching screws which secure the two housings
together. Tighten to 30 foot-pounds torque.
Leakage at this point may be caused by con-
tinuing to exert turning force on the steering
wheel after the front wheels have reached their
limit of travel, and by accelerating the engine
excessively. It is possible to build up pump
pressure in excess of 1,000 psi which will
cause the Power Steering Unit to flex at the
point where the two housings are bolted togeth-
er. Constant flexing at this point will eventu-
ally cause seepage at the "0" ring. This is an
abnormal operating condition and should not
be practiced.
If leakage is not caused by looseness of at-
taching bolts or abnormal operation, remove the
upper housing and inspect for improperly seated
or damaged "0" rings on the housing head,
especially the one located on the pressure side.
Also, inspect "0" ring seating surface on hous-
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