What would cause the steering to automatically turn by itself? When I start the car, the wheels turn to the passenger side, and cannot be turned back by hand.

Would this be a fluid return issue, or is the steering box toast?

I have never drove the car, just put in fluids, and found this problem. It had no fluids due to an engine swap.

This is an issue I have never come across, and any help would be appreciated.


Thanks,
Cory.

 

Most likely there is air in the system.

 

Not for sure but what kind of vehicle are you talking about? Motor swap vehicle, could have the lines swapped? I dont know what would happen if the pump was spun backwards either...(a possibility due to serpentine belts)

 

It's a '74 challenger. By motor swap, I just mean that the engine was replaced, and I bought the car off the guy before he got the engine running due to electrical problems which I solved, it had engine oil, just not power steering or tranny fluid.

If it was air in the system, wouldn't you have a dead spot where it would just be hard to steer, because in effect, you wouldn't have power steering?

How do you bleed the system? Loosen the return line or something?

 

To bleed the system you put new fluid in, run it end to end and hold it several times, holding for a few seconds on each end to end.

Suck out all the old fluid, repeat. Do this about 4 times and you pretty much have the system bled and swapped.

My guess is you have some bent suspension though..

 

There is away to adjust the box to center it. There is a block on the box that can be slid back and forth once the bolts are loosened. I believe there are a couple of o-rings in it if I remember correctly. Its been 20 or so years since I've had to mess with one. I would only readjust this once your sure there is no air in the system !

 

I have had this prob back in the 70s on my 66 newport i learned if you loosen if i remember right two bolts on top of steering box just loosen enough for it to move to front or back very little you can make it go all the way the other direction play with it untill you get it to stop center!