Sluggish Power Steering

[Brad Hogg <roadhogg@xxxxxxx>]

I had a few suggestions to check the belt tension and condition.  I hadn't
said so but those were of course the two things that I checked first.  I
flushed the system with fresh PS fluid (it had had ATF in it at one point).
It is much better now but it has still done the same thing a couple times.
I can't help but think there is some contaminent in there that is holding a
valve open or closed at the wrong time.  I am going to try to flush it again
to get rid of the remaining ATF so I'll see if that helps.

Thanks for all the tips and suggestions!

----- Original Message -----
From: "Brad Hogg" <roadhogg@xxxxxxx>
To: "Brad Hogg" <chrysler1978@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2002 8:36 AM
Subject: Sluggish Power Steering


I've noticed something happening more and more, lately on my 78 Newport.
This only happnes when I am going slow (parking lot maneuvering speed) and
attempting to turn the wheel to the right.  It's like I have no power
steering at all.  Sometimes it does it for a few seconds and then kicks in
and returns to full power steering.  Sometimes it doesn't and I have to
man-handle the wheel to make the turn.  Again, it has only ever happened
when the engine is at idle and I am turning the wheel from straight ahead,
to the right.  It almost feels like there is a sticky valve or something.
The fluid level is good and I don't see any huge leaks (just the usual Mopar
steering box seepage)  Can anyone lend any wisdom here?  Thanks.

Brad Hogg
Winnipeg, Manitoba
http://www.nybclub.org/bradhogg/index.htm
1978 Chrysler Newport 4-door Hard Top
1976 Chrysler New Yorker Brougham 4-door Hard Top
1976 Chrysler Town & COuntry 9 Passenger Station Wagon <--parts
1968 Chrysler Newport Custom 4-door Sedan