Power Steering Fluid issue??

[formula_gramps]

Well, about two weeks ago, I finally bit the bullet and fixed the dreaded intake manifold oil leak. Not too bad a job....used the copper RTV, etc. Seems like all is well there. Couldn't believe the glorified bathtub caulking that was there originally.....what were they thinking. Oh, wait, I know....they were thinking "cheap".

While spending a lot of time under the hood I checked my P.S. fluid and recalled that it had been a long time since I changed it out...(can't even remember exactly when...). So, I extracted as much of the old fluid out, and replaced it with new fluid. I did this three times, (with some driving in between) and now the fluid looks nice and clean.

The problem now, is the steering......
The steering seems absolutely normal for the first 10 minutes or so of driving. After that, it starts to get progressively stiffer and inconsistent. After 15 to 20 minutes, it goes full stiff, and my Formula feels like I'm steering a go-kart.

Although the auto parts store assured me that this fluid was compatible, I'm really starting to have my doubts. Is it possible this crap is losing its viscosity after it warms up to a certain temp, and then becomes ineffective in the hydraulic components?

Any thoughts?...and if you have a particular type/brand of p.s. that you have used with success or prefer, I'd love to hear recommendations.

Thanks!

[FTA1995]

Sounds like a pain...
Check to see if what you bought is acceptable for a saganaw type 2 pump..
You said the steering, before you meet smooth resistance when it's warm, gets a little bit choppy... That would point me in the direction of the hydraulic cylinder at the base of the steering column, maybe a torsion valve not operating correctly from incorrect viscosity. Seems unlikely in an otherwise mechanically sound system, unless there was heavily contaminated fluid in circulation for a very long time.

[formula_gramps]

Well it just dawned on me that I had never followed up here, on the problem I was having. Long story short, although I thought I was doing a good job of bleeding out any air that could have potentially entered the system when I changed out the fluid, it is likely that was the problem. With more driving, the problem eventually went away. Steering is fine now.

As for it working intermittently, like when it was cold, I am guessing that as the system warmed up, the air was perking up to some point critical in the system, and somehow disrupting the flow of fluid.

to FTA',

Yes. A real "pain" is an apt description and maybe even an understatement.

Actually the car felt "spooky". Most of us that have this generation of f-bodies and who haven't replaced the rag joint with one of those eliminators, are used to the little bit of slop in the steering. Even with that slop though, you get feedback through the wheel that the hydraulics are in balance, meaning when the wheel is centered you get that comfortable feeling that there is slight pressure pushing from both left and right.

What this was doing was, when it warmed up, losing that balanced feeling. You could be driving down the highway at 80 and have this feeling that there was nothing connected to you and the steering wheel beyond the knuckle......

A most unsettling feeling to say the least.... and I found myself reflexively wagging the wheel slightly back and forth until I could feel some sense of feedback, even when I was going in a straight line. I'm sure my blood pressure is much lower now that the problem has gone away.

[Al 96 Ram Air T/A]

Glad you got it sorted out. After reading your post, I was about to say it was air, as I did the same thing two years ago. It too resolved itself as the air bleed out on it's own.