Do i have a bad steering pump?

[pete29]

I can't turn the wheels on my 72 chevy 4x4 3/4 ton when its not moving i can turn them a little to the left sometimes when its not moving. Wants its moving i can turn them but its still tight. What could be the problem? It has a remanufactured steering box on it. Could it be the pump?

[lks dcvn]

Any squeal/noise when you turn the wheel - or just not moving easily?

Any fluid in the reservoir (leaking already?)

Have one person in the truck moving the wheel and one person watching to see what is happening with the pump/belt/wheels - you may find the culprit that way as well.

[special-K]

Is this right after putting the steering box on?It could be trapped air needing to work out,then be replaced with more fluid.
Do you hear chirping/squeeling noises like slipping belt?
Do you hear a whirly noise like needs fluid?

[68gmsee]

As mentioned, check all of the obvious. But to answer your question, yes it could be a defective gearbox. I've seen them where they lock up turning one way or the other and where they won't move at all.

They're not an easy part to rebuild. Probably the best way to check it is to jack the axle so the tires are off the ground and see if still acts the same way. You can visually see if there's anything binding. Maybe even go so far as disconnecting the ptiman arm from the linkage and isolate it that way.

[mr48chev]

I'd do as 68gmsee suggested first. Get the weight off the tires and see what happens.

As the others suggested, check the obvious. Check the fluid level, belt tension and the listen for any odd sounds coming from the pump when the truck is running and when you have someone attempt to turn the wheel.

When I was working on front ends and rebuilding steering boxes and pumps on a regular basis I always worked the air out of the system with the wheels off the ground before setting the car down on the shop floor.

I have seen one pressure hose that was swollen inside and wouldn't let the fluid flow as it should but that is rare.

On my own truck it is rather tough to turn until the pump warms up and I am going to have to replace or rebuild the pump.

One thing I have found over the years is that even though power steering will function with automatic transmission fluid in it it doesn't work as well nor is it as quiet as if you have the correct top quality power steering fluid in it.

[pete29]

Belts are tight. A belt on the motor was sqeeling earlier but it has now stopped. not sure if it was the steering or fan. Plenty of fluid in it. No other noises. I've jacked it up and everthing turns fine and easily. This box was just put on it so it could still have air in it, but i've turned the wheels about a 150 turns with it in the air. Didn't get any better. After it warms up it is a little easier to turn but not real much. It does have power steering fluid in it, not anything else. The hoses on it are the old ones. When i first got the box the steerin was swayin everwhere and i didn't think they had that adjusting screw on the box to take out slop set so i turn it in about three turns to try fix it. But i later realized it wasn't the problem. Could this have been the problem. Any suggestions?

[lks dcvn]

turning the screw that much - yes that could be the issue - you should only have to turn it 1/8 to 1/4 and then retest it. As it tightens up you stop...If you turned it that much - then that could very well be your problem.

[67ChevyRedneck]

I've read on here several times before that if you turn the adjustment screw too much you can quickly trash the steering box. Not sure how, just what I've read.

[special-K]

Yes,if you turn your lash adjustment in too much the box will bind.If you had air you`d see bubbles and it would want to puke out fluid.I`m sure you`ve worked it out.If the pumpis bad it will make the whirly noise or a wrrrrr sound.

[pete29]

do you think the box will still be able to work?

[67ChevyRedneck]

Have you tried to "back off" the screw adjustment to see if it tuns good yet? Let us know if that fixes it.