Power steering replacement

[novaX522]

The power steering system on my 72 c10 was leaking since I bought it. I put some stop leak in it and filled it up as needed for a while. Finally it blew a seal out of the steering gear, so it was time to address the issue.
I read some posts on this site, and it looked like getting a new steering gear was the way to go. I also replaced the steering pump/reservoir, both hoses, coupler, and added a filter on the return line. I got all the parts off Rock Auto. I had to verify input shaft diameter and spline count as there were multiple steering gears to choose from.
Install was pretty easy until I got to the hoses. I tried to pick the hoses that looked like my originals. The fittings were correct, but had to do some bending of the metal lines to get them to fit properly.
Really happy with the results. My original steering gear was 4.5 turns lock to lock. My new one is 3.4 turns lock to lock. The quicker steering is noticeable on corners and roundabouts. The steering was too light before, it has more feel to it now. I’ve also noticed that it drives much nicer at highway speeds, less wandering. It feels like a more modern vehicle now.

[MikeB]

Good job! And good luck finding hoses that don't need a little bending. I went through three, and they were almost identical. I think power steering trucks must have a slightly different inner fender bend than manual steering trucks. I had to massage my inner fender to get a bigger gap between it and the frame.

[RustyPile]

novaX522, 2 - 3 years ago, I went through the same hose difficulties.. I installed power steering where previously there was none. I got everything mounted and the hose search began.. The listed hose wouldn't fit and I tried hose after hose.. Edlemann pressure hose was the best fit after a bit of tweaking.. The part number is EDL-70911..

About that inner fender panel.. I had to cut away a section for it to clear the gear box.. To add stiffness, I turned the edge down along the cut.. A paint job finished it off.

[novaX522]

Originally Posted by RustyPile

novaX522, 2 - 3 years ago, I went through the same hose difficulties.. I installed power steering where previously there was none. I got everything mounted and the hose search began.. The listed hose wouldn't fit and I tried hose after hose.. Edlemann pressure hose was the best fit after a bit of tweaking.. The part number is EDL-70911..

About that inner fender panel.. I had to cut away a section for it to clear the gear box.. To add stiffness, I turned the edge down along the cut.. A paint job finished it off.

I was on the verge of doing that myself. I was able to bend the pressure side hose enough, but I had to unbolt the steering gear and connect the hose and then reinstall the steering gear to get it to clear the inner fender.
Pain in the arse, but that’s the price for having a cool truck. 😎

[RustyPile]

Originally Posted by novaX522

I was on the verge of doing that myself. I was able to bend the pressure side hose enough, but I had to unbolt the steering gear and connect the hose and then reinstall the steering gear to get it to clear the inner fender.
Pain in the arse, but that’s the price for having a cool truck. 😎

I think we'd all like to see pictures of how yours turned out..

[72c20customcamper]

I used this brand on my 72 fit was perfect didn’t need to bend anything return line I just replaced the rubber hose kept the original hard piping.

[novaX522]

Originally Posted by RustyPile

I think we'd all like to see pictures of how yours turned out..

I threw a zip tie on for now to make sure the hose stayed away from the header tube.
I have about 1/8” of clearance from the inner fender well

[Sheepdip]

Everything is made elsewhere now days so I'm sure the QC key word was 足够好....that's "Good Enough" in Chinese.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by Sheepdip

Everything is made elsewhere now days so I'm sure the QC key word was 足够好....that's "Good Enough" in Chinese.

You're probably right. I converted my 69 C10 to P/S in the late 80s using stock parts off of a junkyard truck. The pressure hose fit OK, but it was close to, or maybe even touching the inner fender. It was a much better fit than the latest ChiCom hoses though.