power steering problem

[JRF]

89 Holiday Mansion Baracuda (house boat)
Single AQ271C duo-prop w/ power steering

Problem: Power steering assist has been marginal if any. Servo pump was squealing when wheel turned even slightly. Fluid (dextron) smelled burnt. Turning steering wheel can drop rpms significantly at idle.
Action: Changed PS pump and purged fluid - changed to 10/30 motor oil as per sticker on old pump. While engine was off, was able to get fluid to flow from pump reservoir thru the system and out the return line simply by turning the steering port to starboard and back. Hence no obstruction and (likely) no air.
Result: Still squeals - no improvement.

Suspicion: need replacement power steering cylinder
Question: The volvo parts listings show a repair kit that is no longer available - Anybody know where a kit might be found or someone that might rebuild the cylinders? The part number might be 7743470 062 r45

 

[04fxdwgi]

Re: power steering problem

89 Holiday Mansion Baracuda (house boat)
Single AQ271C duo-prop w/ power steering

Problem: Power steering assist has been marginal if any. Servo pump was squealing when wheel turned even slightly. Fluid (dextron) smelled burnt. Turning steering wheel can drop rpms significantly at idle.
Action: Changed PS pump and purged fluid - changed to 10/30 motor oil as per sticker on old pump. While engine was off, was able to get fluid to flow from pump reservoir thru the system and out the return line simply by turning the steering port to starboard and back. Hence no obstruction and (likely) no air.
Result: Still squeals - no improvement.

Suspicion: need replacement power steering cylinder
Question: The volvo parts listings show a repair kit that is no longer available - Anybody know where a kit might be found or someone that might rebuild the cylinders? The part number might be 7743470 062 r45

If the pump had Dextron ATF in it and label said to use 10w30 motor oil to replenish, then there is a huge problem there. I would question what is really supposed to be in there, as the 2 are not compatable at all. If it was supposed to be 10W30, and ATF was used, then there may be some damage to the unit from using the wrong oil.

If you can't get replacement parts and are unable to rebuild, then Teleflex sells a conversion to go from power steering to a hydraulic helm. Eliminates power steering pump and cables altogether. A little stiffer to operate, but a ton better than no steering assist at all.

 

[JRF]

Re: power steering problem

Hi - the sticker on the pump also says: "Use of hydraulic fluid ATF Type G or Type Dextron is possible. See instruction book for checking" I didn't search for the instruction book recommendation but figured that I'd use motor oil as it was the primary call.
Right now I'm using it with the belt removed - no power assist.
Once the boat is out of the water for the winter, I may take the cylinder to a hydraulic shop to see if they can rebuild it. Rebuild kits are mostly o-rings and if i could only find out what the pieces were in the rebuild kit (now defunct), then I could make a judgement call to spend the time and money trying to rebuild it.
My father had a cape island boat with hydraulic steering ... might be the way to go... thx!