![]() |
|
![]() |
#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Albany, NY
Posts: 145
|
Steering Issue
So I have a weird one.
First let me tell you what I have. - Bone stock 69 SWB Step. - Power Steering - Power Drum brakes - Stock ride height - 350 A/T I noticed a while back that every so often my steering felt a little sluggish. I checked the fluid level and all was good. Over the last couple of months it seems to be getting worse. It is very intermittent. I drive 20 miles each way to work with the truck and some days it is perfectly fine (like this morning) and others it seems to have the problem about 70-80% of the time. The steering gets so "sticky" that it won't return to center. Then, I little later it will just free up. It doesn't seem to be one direction or the other or related to where I am in the steering travel. I figure it is either the pump or the box. The pump makes no noise. Can the balls in the steering box get worn and jam up then recirculate to free up? The only other thing I can think of is, the upper bearing in the steering column grinds and needs to be replaced. I have the part but it's been so freaking cold I haven't gotten to it. I guess it's possible for the bearing to cause the issue but it just seems like it wouldn't have the mechanical advantage to cause the issue. I'm hoping it's the pump since that is the cheaper fix. Thoughts are appreciated, Jim
__________________
Thanks, Jim - 69 Short Step CST 350 AC/PB/PS - 69 Short Step 307 Man Column/PS |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Green Valley Arizona
Posts: 1,351
|
Re: Steering Issue
I'm thinking the pump. Check your belt....
__________________
1970 C10 Short Stepper with 71/72 front clip. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Albany, NY
Posts: 145
|
Re: Steering Issue
Can a pump go in and out like that when they fail? Also, if the pump stopped working would the steering just feel like a manual steering or does the fluid in the system make the steering tight. I guess I could try taking the belt off and see it the steering feels like what I experience.
Thanks for the reply, Jim
__________________
Thanks, Jim - 69 Short Step CST 350 AC/PB/PS - 69 Short Step 307 Man Column/PS |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Green Valley Arizona
Posts: 1,351
|
Re: Steering Issue
If it's not low on fluid, I believe it can. You may have air trapped in the system.
The procedure for filling the pump is to have the front wheels of of the ground, fill the reservior, start engine and slowly turn steering wheel all the way to one direction then back all the way to the other direction a few times. Checking the fluid as you go. This works any air out of the system. Maybe give it a try, see if it helps.
__________________
1970 C10 Short Stepper with 71/72 front clip. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 | |
Active Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area.
Posts: 7,947
|
Re: Steering Issue
Quote:
Word of warning. If either the pump or gearbox are going out, I would try to get it fixed asap. Many years ago I had a van with a bad gearbox and it would lock up occasionally. Got to be too dangerous to drive it until I had it repaired. One other thing regarding the ball bearings. They stay in place and are there to make it easier to turn the steering worm gear. They just sit in place until you move the steering wheel.
__________________
68 GMC 250/3 speed Saginaw p/b p/s 69 Chevy 350/350 currently in pieces still lookin for a cab 06 Trailblazer I just want a vehicle that I can work on, that won't talk to me, leave error msgs or keep track of how I drive... |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Albuquerque NM
Posts: 7,848
|
Re: Steering Issue
You could be getting air in the system causing bubbles in the fluid.
__________________
1967custom |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Bookmarks |
|
|