RACK & PINION POWER STEERING VALVE RING SERVICE
Orange color valve rings have been phased into 1984 production, replacing the green rings. The present green ring service kit, Part Number 7840573, may be used to replace orange rings as they are interchangeable.
The design intent is that valve rings will remain stationary in the bore of a power rack and pinion assembly. If hard steering, lack of assist when started cold, etc., is encountered with normal pump pressure, inspect the rack and pinion housing bore (see Figure 1).
Ring contact marks in the valve bore are normal. If ring groove wear exists, replacement of the housing is necessary to assure that replacement rings will not eventually wear further into the housing and result in a recurrence of a lack of power assist symptom.
If only one or two of the four-ring contact marks in the housing have resulted in ring groove wear, the corresponding ring land of the valve is most likely causing excessive ring drag. Replacement of the valve as well as the housing would then be required.
In mid-year 1984, the rack and pinion housing valve bore will have a textured finish to further insure valve ring retention to the bore. The textured area in the bore will be the circular band sealing ring surface corresponding to the four rings in the valve body.
NOTE: 1980-81 Phoenix power rack and pinion assemblies are to be serviced as instructed in Dealer Technical Bulletin 81-T-63 and Dealer Technical Builetin 81-T-64.
Service precaution on removal of valve and pinion
Page 3B1-5 of the 1984 Pontiac Service Manual lists the procedures for valve removal and valve ring replacement. The valve must be pressed out of the housing per the manual procedure. Excessive force or hammer use will likely damage the valve or valve pinion pin. After valve removal, inspect the valve pinion pin for being loose, bent, or protruding beyond the valve machined surface (see Figure 2). If any of these conditions exist, valve body replace- ment is required.
A lack of power assist symptom may also be caused by leakage past the rack piston ring in the housing tube bore. Inspect the rack piston ring for damage or distortion. The piston ring to ring land side clearance should not exceed .008". Also inspect the housing tube bore for any nicks, scoring or other imperfection in the rack piston travel area.
General Motors bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, not a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, do not assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See a General Motors dealer servicing your brand of General Motors vehicle for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.
