Strange steering TravelAll

[Tonka Toy]

I just bought a 72 Travelall 1110 with factory ps, pb, v8, automatic. I wasn't surprised when it wandered a little like my Scout does, but I am surprised at something else. Sometimes after making a turn on regular city streets, the steering acts as if it won't stay centered. It tries to keep turning, then when you gently counter it, it will try to take off the other way, like it's trying to change lanes on it's own. Then when you correct for that, it will just try again in the other direction. It takes a few times before it will go straight down the road. The rest of the time, it steers great. Much more predictable than my Scout 2. This has happened once when turning right out of a driveway with a steeper than usual ramp from the road to the parking lot, and another time on smooth, flat streets, turning left. I haven't gotten a chance to jack it up and look for play yet, because my work takes me out of town. But is this a commonality with these, or am I looking for a worn or defective part?

Thanks everyone!

 

[RobertC]

Check tire pressure.

Doubtful this is it, but you should have a complete "contact patch" with the pavement -- not under inflated or over inflated. New cars (at least) are "designed" to run tires at full pressure (I think). A few years ago, I had a flat repaired and "they" could not get the tire in underslung tire carrrier (1210 t/a). Turned out the tire guy had put 80 lbs in the tire - I usually run 45- 50 lbs (load range e). I think there are laws (" gas mileage" / at least CA / or) where tire places have to make sure the tires are "properly inflated".

Now to the actual problem -- caster angle / alignment.

Get the front aligment done.

Check if the front axle is bent.

My t/a has shims between the springs / axle (I-beam).

 

[FDChappie]

Sounds like a valving problem in the power steering. I'd start by draining the system and replacing with some good synthetic fluid.

To completely drain the system disconnect the return line to the pump and place in a drain pan. Jack up front axle and place on stands. Idle engine and turn wheels back and forth until drained. If you want to be real through flush with some fresh fluid.

 

[That Guy]

Loose wheel bearings can sometimes be the cause of some of those symptoms you described. As well as everything else mentioned.

 

[Tonka Toy]

sounds like a valving problem in the power steering. I'd start by draining the system and replacing with some good synthetic fluid.

To completely drain the system disconnect the return line to the pump and place in a drain pan. Jack up front axle and place on stands. Idle engine and turn wheels back and forth until drained. If you want to be real through flush with some fresh fluid.

Yeah, one possibility. I've never had a power steering pump pressure valve go bad before, but as I ponder your idea, you May be on to something. In regards to the shims, I don't know if mine has them or not. If it doesn't, I will be getting some for it. I guess more digging into this truck will be on tap for the weekend.

 

[Bill Bennett]

Does any company still make synthetic power steering fluid? Valvoline stopped making the synthetic power steering fluid a couple years ago.

 

[RobertC]

does any company still make synthetic power steering fluid? Valvoline stopped making the synthetic power steering fluid a couple years ago.

Napa online does not seem to offer any sythetic p/s steering fluid.

Red line calls their p/s fuild synthetic and states that it can be used with regular or synthetic fluid.

 

[Scooter]

does any company still make synthetic power steering fluid? Valvoline stopped making the synthetic power steering fluid a couple years ago.

Not sure if swepco does or not. Since IH Parts America sells swepco oil for most of the IH oiling applications in the store, you can give them a call and find out.

I do know that amsoil does. And, for the power steering, that's all I have been using for a long time now. I get 16oz bottles by the case of twelve. I am a dealer for them but I don't advertise it here though

 

[RobertC]

not sure if swepco does or not. Since IH Parts America sells swepco oil for most of the IH oiling applications in the store, you can give them a call and find out.

The store description for p/s fluid does not state it is sythetic - actually says mineral oil based.

Also, it recommends swepco atf (714) for power steering systems that "use" atf -- which I assume means most / all? Of IH as they used saginaw power steering pumps.

 

[FDChappie]

does any company still make synthetic power steering fluid? Valvoline stopped making the synthetic power steering fluid a couple years ago.

The valvoline is what I was think of. Didn't know they stopped making it. I had really good results with it and it came with stop leak too. A startpage search shows that redline and lots of other companies make synthetic. The reason I suggested synthetic is it seems to brake down deposits. I think the ps control valve is sludged up and a flush should clear it.