1998 Lincoln Continental Steering Pulls Left Fix

LINCOLN CONTINENTAL
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BMCINTOSH
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I have a 1998 Lincoln Continental 60,000 miles. The owner put brake fluid in the power steering system. I have changed the rack and pinion power steering hoses, power steering pump and the power steering reservoir. Now there seems to be a pressure problem. When the car idles by itself there is no sign of trouble. As soon as pressure is put on the steering wheel, the pressure pulls the steering wheel to the left. When it reaches a full left hand turn and you try to pull it back to the right, it blows a seal on what seems to be the pressure regulator. After the seal is blown, then it steers fine both ways. Please help. : :(
Dec 3, 2006 at 10:27 AM
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STRAILER
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It sounds like you may have a pressure relief valve stuck inside the power steering pump causing excessive pressure and the seals to blow, next is you could have a rack and pinion that has a bad sector valve. I would try the rack first.
Dec 3, 2006 at 11:11 AM
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BMCINTOSH
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I did replace the rack and pinion. Is the sector valve a valve that bolts on the rack and pinion with two electric plugs. Thanks for your help. :oops:
Dec 3, 2006 at 11:41 AM
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STRAILER
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  • 55,658 POSTS
yes it is, it sounds like you have a pump that is not regulating pressure correctly.
Dec 4, 2006 at 6:00 AM
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Suggested Repair

Inspect or replace the power steering pump, focusing on a stuck pressure relief valve that is not regulating pressure and is blowing seals. The rack was already replaced; the sector valve is the valve bolted to the rack with two electrical plugs.

Conversation Summary

A 1998 Lincoln Continental had brake fluid put in the power steering system. After the rack and pinion, hoses, pump, and reservoir were replaced, steering still pulled left under load and blew a seal near full left lock, then steered normally. The expert said a stuck pump pressure relief valve or a bad rack sector valve could cause excessive pressure, and after the owner confirmed the rack was replaced, concluded the pump is not regulating pressure correctly.

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