1952-59 Ford Borgeson power steering box makes a "hissing" noise all the time

I installed the Borgeson power steering box in my 56 Vic. When the steering is in the straight-ahead position, the box makes a hissing noise. The hissing never goes away.

When the steering is turned left or right from "center straight ahead", the box is quiet. But as soon as the steering is "straight ahead" again, the hissing noise starts again.

Bled the steering several times, no improvement. No leaks. Fluid level is right.

Anyone have this problem? Anyone solve this problem?

Thanks in advance.

 

What did Borgeson say?

 

They said whatever it is, that you would not be helpful.

 

Always glad to fill in for the people who might know.

 

No leakage either? I never heard a peep out of a steering box itself. The pumps are the noisy thing from what I've experienced.

 

Mines a bit noisy but only when hard over. Other than that pretty quiet.

 

When I worked for an OEM car manufacture we had several instances where power steering systems had noises in the 27 years I worked there. Many were solved by bleeding as you tried. Having a noise when the steering is straight ahead and the system is at it's lowest pressure would suggest there is a flow vibration issue or some kind of minor restriction in the system. Had a plumber friend years ago showed me a piece of copper pipe that had been cut with a tubing cutter and had a lip all the way around that went into the inner diameter of the tube from the cut, when flow went through it it would make noise. When the lip was remover the noise went away. When the power steering is not under load (straight ahead) there is still pressure and flow being produced by the pump that byp***es internally in the steering gear and out the return line to the reservoir in the pump. There could be a small restriction in the gear or one of the hoses producing noise at this low pressure point but is overcome when the pressure increases when turning the wheel. Many times at the OEM the solution was to put a spiral insert in the hose to break up this flow pattern or to change the inside diameter of a tubing end where it meets the pump. If you have looked at the power steering lines going to the hydroboost unit on a Ram ***mins diesel you will see a large weight bolted onto one of the hoses, this was placed there to kill a vibration that set up in that hose under certain flow conditions. I would try moving the hoses at different angles or bungee cording one at a time to place a "damper" on the hose to see if there is a vibration issue. It could be internal to the box as well. Sorry for the long story, good luck.

 

nosford, thank you for sharing your knowledge. I did install a cooler for the P/S unit, it is mounted in front of the radiator support to catch fresh air flow. So, there is a bit of hose with all that.

I will experiment with the hoses per your insight. Thank you