Power Steering in the Cold

[Davyboy]

Okay, its been warmer lately, but every time the temperature drops below about -25C around -20F when I start my kon around 7am, it starts fine or maybe takes a second turnover to start, but it runs fine. My problem is with the steering, it seems that I have NO power steering when I start driving in that cold, it takes about 5km, 3miles then it seems fine.

I'm wondering if this is being caused by old fluid (if I need to find out how to drain the power steering since I have no idea how old the fluid in it is) or it its simply the age of the vehicle?

P.S. on a semi-related topic, it seems my ABS decided to die on one of these cold start days, the light is on constantly, and it is quite easy to lock up the tires on ice, like easier than I would have thought, hence why I'm posting this. Started driving, it was difficult as hell flipping around to get onto the main road leading away from my house since it felt like no power steering, then went to stop and the tires locked up, and I ended up sideways, luckily years of living on farms trains you to be a good driver and I managed to correct, it was then that I noticed the ABS light visiting me. What do you guys think happened, did I fry a sensor (still have speedo so would have to be one of the fronts) or blow the fuse (can't find the bloody thing, and at -37 that day wasn't going to try looking much)...

So any pointers for either problem is appreciated.

 

[blueflamed03]

-20F, it's fluid, old or now, takes away to warm up and circulate, so you'll get stiff steering for awhile.

 

[Davyboy]

Well I never had that problem with my car, so I was wondering if it was a normal thing for this vehicle.

 

[blueflamed03]

for us southerners hard for me to tell, never been that cold

 

[ravingmadman]

To swap your fluid (wouldn't hurt), just unscrew the output hose from the pump, and let it bleed. Turn the wheel back and forth a little to clear the steering gear box, and when it gurgles, you're done. Screw it back on, fill it back up. Makes a heck of a mess though.

 

[Davyboy]

Would you recommend a flush of the p-steering considering how old it is, I HIGHLY doubt it has ever been done, especially considering the shape of the spark plugs that were in it.

Also would anyone happen to have a pic of the pump and hose i could go by so Im not fumbling around for to long trying to find it, and I dont mind a mess.

 

[ravingmadman]

It is oil- just like any other hydrocarbon, it will break down over time, gather humidity, gunk, etc... It is super cheap to do. I don't recall which pipes are supply/return off the pump, but it probably doesn't matter too much. I do recall it being a pretty big fitting though, needing a crescent since I didn't have the right end wrench. Other than that, pretty hard to screw up.

 

[Davyboy]

Alright sweet thanx, guess I know what Im doing this weekend, I already have plenty of fluid