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I just had my rack n pinion and steering shaft replaced by my mechanic in my '93 Dakota RWD. When I got it home I took a hard right into my garage and felt/heard a pronounced shimmy/stutter. I had the mechanic install a new filter and suspect the guy put the filter on in the wrong direction so I took a look. Three years ago I added a Magnefine magnetic inline power steering filter. The filter must be installed on the return line and the P/S fluid flow must be in the same direction as the arrow on the filter canister. See picture 1.
Now look at picture 2. This is how my mechanic put the filter on. Total reverse direction of how I put it on.
It is my understanding the return line is the one I have the filter on. It goes from the black/upper port on my PS pump (see picture 3) to the lower port on my rack n pinion.
Questions:
Have I positively identified the correct line as the return line?
Do you agree I had the flow correct when I originally installed it from three years ago (see picture 1).
Do you agree the mechanic installed the filter backwards according to Picture 2?
Did we both get it wrong?
If these magnetic PS fluid filters are installed backwards, what happens and what can I expect?
The line on the pump with the flare nut is the pressure line. If you had the filter in that line, it would have blown up by now. PS operates in the neighborhood of 1000PSI, the filter most certainly is NOT rated for that. Having the filter installed backwards...... likely still flows.... but, any accumulated junk that was in it, is now circulating thru your power steering system. I would document that little error, and have a chat with your mechanic...... There is the possibility that he has just shortened the life of your new rack significantly......
That said, the only vehicles I have seen that come with a filter on the PS from the factory, are the truly stupid expensive ones..... 99% of cars on the road in the US don't have one..... and steering components last quite some time, and it's usually seals that go out.....
The line on the pump with the flare nut is the pressure line. If you had the filter in that line, it would have blown up by now. PS operates in the neighborhood of 1000PSI, the filter most certainly is NOT rated for that. Having the filter installed backwards...... likely still flows.... but, any accumulated junk that was in it, is now circulating thru your power steering system. I would document that little error, and have a chat with your mechanic...... There is the possibility that he has just shortened the life of your new rack significantly......
That said, the only vehicles I have seen that come with a filter on the PS from the factory, are the truly stupid expensive ones..... 99% of cars on the road in the US don't have one..... and steering components last quite some time, and it's usually seals that go out.....
You're not making me feel good. You mentioned "accumulated junk". Accumulated from what? I have a pump that was a brand new replacement 3-1/2 years ago (9,200 miles). I also replaced both hoses, added a filter, and flushed the system at the same time. And now, of course, it has a brand new rack AND a brand new filter.. How much "accumulated junk" can there be? Do you agree the mechanic has the filter on wrong (Picture 2)?
You're not making me feel good. You mentioned "accumulated junk". Accumulated from what? I have a pump that was a brand new replacement 3-1/2 years ago (9,200 miles). I also replaced both hoses, added a filter, and flushed the system at the same time. And now, of course, it has a brand new rack AND a brand new filter.. How much "accumulated junk" can there be? Do you agree the mechanic has the filter on wrong (Picture 2)?
If the filter was new, then, just swap it so flow is correct, and you'll be down the road. I thought that was still the original one you installed. My bad.
If the filter was new, then, just swap it so flow is correct, and you'll be down the road. I thought that was still the original one you installed. My bad.
No Sir. I said it was new but you'd have to tie two separate parts of my original story together to know that. I should of made that clearer. You make me feel better now.
Two more questions. One, could I have damaged the filter being in backwards? Two, are you surprised I am getting shimmy/stuttering on sharp turns with that filter in backwards?
As I said earlier, the filter *should* flow in either direction, it's just for maximum filter area, install it in the correct orientation. Will it flow less if installed backwards? As a guess, I would say 'probably not'.... but, only 'probably'..... I wouldn't be surprised if there weren't still some air in the system though..... Sometimes they can be real fine to get properly bled out. Wouldn't hurt to fix the filter, jack up the front, let it idle, and cycle the steering a couple times, see if you get any bubbles/frothing in the fluid.
Then you get back to the whole "Just because it's new, doesn't necessarily mean it's 'good'.'...... (and I am sure you didn't wanna hear THAT either....... but, I get paid extra for being the bearer of potentially bad news. And yes, I DO get paid extra for that.... and, I also be sure to keep one foot firmly in the stirrup. )
In the end, I would just correct it's current issues, make sure the fluid is up to snuff, and drive it a couple days, see if anything changes. If not, take it back to your installer, and/or have a chat with the folks you got the rack from.
And just for some background..... I changed the p/s pump on my daughters car..... I went thru FOUR pumps before I got one that actually WORKED.... and that one howled like a banshee.... but, I was seriously tired of changing pumps, and left it. And yes, there were at least three different brand pumps in there.
OK, this is getting more interesting by the minute. Went out this morning to check PS fluid level while cold. It was right where it was supposed to be. But I noticed the fluid is red. I don't recall ever have red PS fluid. I'm thinking he put ATF in it. I know my truck does NOT use ATF in the power steering. I do know that the Lucas PS leak stop I added was red prior to having my rack replaced but I would think that would have all drained out when they pulled the old rack, no? HY, have you ever seen red PS fluid that was NOT ATF?
Thinking I need to drain that thing again. What's the best way to drain that ATF out of there? Do I need a flush or anything?
Power Steering Filter
