Bear with me guys, I am new to all of this. I have a lot to say here, so here goes; I purchased a 1986 318 on Monday for $725. I have wanted one since I was a kid. She was used but not abused with 1122 hours. Day one did not go so well, the power steering control unit blew the shaft seal on hour 2 of my ownership. I decided to blow her apart and paint her while the column was out. All the body is straight, even the fiberglass. While getting to know her, I found the hydraulic valve for the front hydraulics(the inner lever) was stuck. I know I should have checked more thoroughly, but I was do dang excited at time of purchase. The valve will not move at all. I am wondering how big of a job getting it freed up or removed would be. My neighbor rebuilds hydraulics, so I have that part covered(he just did my steering unit for the cost of parts). Just wanting to hear some thoughts or experiences. Thank you in advance!
Problems with my first 318
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Before you get things too far torn apart, you might try simpler things first. For instance, find the hydraulic valve that is stuck. Try spraying WD-40 on the stem where it goes into the valve body. Let that sit for awhile. Then, using a hammer and a wooden stake for a punch, hit the end of the stem and see if you can get it to go in a bit. Once it starts to loosen, it may be moveable with the control lever.
Whenever you do get it freed up, it helps to exercise the valve back and forth every so often.
Whenever you do get it freed up, it helps to exercise the valve back and forth every so often.
It may not be the valve that is stuck. One of mine had the pivot point for the lever froze up.
Mine was the inside lever and due to the rusted condition of the front hydro connectors the inside lever had never been used in ~ 1000 hours
Removed the lever assembly and drilled an oil hole into the frozen pivot shaft. Oil and some carefully applied force got it freed up enough to press the shaft out. Cleaned up the casting hole and the shaft. Converted the hole I drilled to use a grease zerk to lubricate the shaft.
Mine was the inside lever and due to the rusted condition of the front hydro connectors the inside lever had never been used in ~ 1000 hours
Removed the lever assembly and drilled an oil hole into the frozen pivot shaft. Oil and some carefully applied force got it freed up enough to press the shaft out. Cleaned up the casting hole and the shaft. Converted the hole I drilled to use a grease zerk to lubricate the shaft.
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I wiggled my lever back n forth about 100 times with some WD40 to free it up after sitting 7 years
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