1954 Hornet power steering issue

tinsled

As some of you may recall, I'm new with Hudson, imported my '54 Hornet coupe past winter to Finland.

In spring had rockers replaced, worked on electrical issues and now been driving in summer. Very happy with the Hudson... BUT; the car has factory power steering, or should have...

It's all there without big visible leaks, but does not help with steering much or at all...

In spring when first got to check the car properly I noticed the oil reservoir of the power steering pump was almost empty, only ca.1/4" level in the bottom of the jar. I just filled it up to the mark with ATF "A" oil/fluid. Lifted the front axle up and turned steering wheel from lock to lock a couple of times. Unfortunately there was no improvement to the ease of steering, it's heavy in low speeds and while parking.

Are there "typical issues" with the stepdown-models power steering?

What would be the "steps" to check to find why it's not doing the job as it should?

Thanks in advance! /Pekka

KenU_Tx

Problem is most likely the control valve at front of the assist cylinder. May need cleaning, rebuild with new seals, O-rings .

Glowplug

You can find factory information on the operation and maintenance of the 1954 Hudson PS system in a manual found at this URL http://hudsonterraplane.com/tech/1954/1954PowerSteeringModel7D.pdf

onerare39

If you need parts these folks may be of help.

https://www.larescorp.com/select/Hudson/Hornet/1954/ALL

KenU_Tx

My experience with Lares "rebuilds" has been less than satisfactory, both with 54 Hudson PS units , and a 1957 Nash PS unit....both times thy messed up the control valves. Beware.....YMMV. If you look online, you will see they have a two star rating out of 5, and I can understand why.