'56 Power Steering Cylinder

[Jim Yergin]

The power steering cylinder on my ‘56 Thunderbird is leaking and I want to replace the seals. The factory manual calls for first removing a snap ring. However, I do not see one on mine or a way to get to it. This is a picture of the piston rod end of my cylinder. Does anyone know how I can get to the seals?
Thanks.
Jim Yergin

 

[Jwawhite]

I haven't tried yet on mine but.....I was told once by a shop "they always leak". Mine an occasional drop.
Have you looked over an exploded diagram?
http://www.classictbird.com/pdf/casco-webalog.pdf
Looks like an internal snap ring.

 

[Ole Don]

If it leaks a lot, box it and send it to Larres Corp in Cambridge MN. They will have it back in a week. If it leaks a drop or three, with a turkey baster, remove one tube of fluid and replace with a half bottle of Lucas Power Steering conditioner. It really works.

 

[Jwawhite]

An old motorbike trick for leaking fork seals is to take a thin piece of pliable plastic, half inch wide, 5 " long, thin, fashion a wide hook on one end. Sand all the edges smooth. Place hook end inside the seal, fork area, work it along and pull out the contaminates.
Thanks for the tip about the oil will give it a try, will the oil damage a newer 94 ps pump?

 

[KULTULZ]

The factory manual calls for first removing a snap ring. However, I do not see one on mine or a way to get to it. This is a picture of the piston rod end of my cylinder. Does anyone know how I can get to the seals

You can clearly see the retaining clip. It requires a special tool to compress and remove.

 

[Jim Yergin]

I discovered why I couldn't see the clip ring. Turns out there wasn't one. Some time in the past someone must have taken it apart and never put it back.
I now have the seals out.
Thanks for all the responses.
Jim Yergin

 

[Jwawhite]

Jim I think there may be an interior seal that you can't get to. Have you heard that? The "front" seals may not be the main issue.

 

[Jim Yergin]

You may be right but I guess I can only replace what can be replaced and see what happens.
Thanks.
Jim Yergin

 

[rotorwrench]

The design looks to have a way to remove the end housing that retains the seal components and holds the piston inside the main cylinder. There are likely seals on the piston too. If they go out then the power steering would be sluggish and ineffective in operation since the hydraulic fluid could leak from one side of the piston to the other. The break downs don't show repair parts for those. This gives a clue that FoMoCo never intended repairs for the cylinder itself. It likely would have been a complete replacement with new rather than overhaul the component. If it can be completely disassembled a person could likely find a seal set that could work or be modified to work.

 

[KULTULZ]

Jim I think there may be an interior seal that you can't get to. Have you heard that? The "front" seals may not be the main issue.

The seal was not serviced by FORD-


THE CYLINDER was supplied by BENDIX.

 

[54vicky]

if the inner seal is leaking they can be repaired.take it to a hydraulic shop they should be able to fix they will cut it open replace seal then tig weld it back together.I had an old man years ago fix 2 for me.he had a friend of my oldest boy he used for the tig welding