1961 Continental Convertible Noise When Turning

Bill –
I am having problems with my power steering on my ’61 convertible w/ ac. It was making a whining noise when turning. Thinking it was air in the fluid I have tried bleeding the system with the wipers on. I tried using a vacuum on the filler tube but could not get vacuum to pull. The whining has somewhat decreased with the method of turning the wheels 10 times and letting it bleed out air. As the wheels approach the stops the noise gets very loud. Is there something that makes the noise at the stops that might be fixed?
The power steering and wipers are working fine and I really don’t want to pull and replace the pump if not needed.
Thanks,
Phil
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Hi Phil –
Those p/s whining noises sure can be annoying as well as an indication of a problem. Has any work at all been done in the last while to the p /s or the hydraulic wiper system? Was the pump or other hydraulic part removed recently for some other procedure? Why did you think that there was air in the hydraulics? Did you see foam in the reservoir or? How did you learn to vacuum out the system as you describe? Sorry for all of the questions, but a good working undisturbed system does not suddenly ingest air. I will await your answers.
Sincerely,
Bill
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Bill –
I hadn’t driven the car for a few months and when I moved it to drive I noticed more whining noise .
I read on a website that hooking a vacuum to reservoir would help draw air from system. As I said I could not create any vacuum. I did not do any work on wipers or ps. I just took it for a test drive and steering and wipers worked fine with an occasional resistance in steering . But fairly loud whining noise.
Would pump go bad from just sitting? I do notice some bubbling on the ps dipstick.
Phil
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Hi Phil –
In that case there are three possible things that you can check before condemning the pump. The pump pressure can be tested at operating pressure by a knowledgeable shop as per the shop manual and compared with the specs in the manual. The p/s fluid filter can be checked for plugging or an incorrect filter that is restricting the fluid that returns to the pump. Lastly the pitman arm can be disconnected at the linkage so that the complete steering linkage and the steering shaft with the box can be checked ” separately ” for any binding. You may want to discuss this further with your mechanic first to see if he agrees. Keep us posted.
Sincerely,
Bill
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Bill –
I’m not sure on the location of the ps filter. Like to look at that first.
Thanks,
Phil
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Hi Phil –
The p/s filter should be located inside the p/s reservoir under the top cover. Be very careful to observe how the filter is installed ( if there is one still installed ). If you do not have the proper shop manual for your Lincoln you will find that this problem and future problems will become more difficult. The FoMoCo manuals that we recommend and sell can also help your mechanic if you yourself are not performing some of the diagnosing and repair procedures. Good luck with a quick diagnosis.
Sincerely,
Bill
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Bill –
Thanks/ I have a shop manual and I’ll work on this tomorrow.
Phil
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Bill –
Replaced filter and hoses and seems back to normal.
Thanks.
Phil
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Phil –
Thanks for the update – good to hear things are back to normal.
Bill