Foaming p- steering pump - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Growdon · 03-06-2003, 10:59 PM

I just finished a couple days worth of work on my 71 3/4 4x4. I replaced ball joints, tie rod ends, drag links, rotors, brake pads, front axle u-joints, rear leaf spring bushings, front springs (2 1/2 lift kit) pinion bearing, seals etc. Oh, and also the steering box and pump. WHew!!!! what a job. The pump keeps pumping up foam. I tried jacking up the front end and adding fluid while turning the wheel left to right with the engine running. I'm probably doing this all wrong, but I am tired. Anyways, help would be appreciated. Also I removed the passenger side rocker today----You have to like the guys in the GM plant running the spot welder (I think they were seeing who could put the most welds in my rockers).

Sorry about the long post. I will try to get some pictures of the truck with the lift, and pictures of the rocker replacement in the next couple of days.

*Piston* · 03-06-2003, 11:17 PM

Check for a cracked hose or bad line connection on the return hose. If everything checks ok there, fill the system up with fluid, start the engine and work the wheel from side to side. If at any point you hear it run low on fluid shut it off and add. Do this until the level stays consistant. Do no add fluid while its running.... The pump is already cavitating and adding fliud to foam only increases the amount thats going to come back out when the engine is shut off.

Blue_71 · 03-07-2003, 12:48 AM

does yours have the stance of the truck in this pic? i made a homemade lift for the front of it, and i THINK it's about 2.5..... mines a 71 3/4 ton 4x4 with no rear lift and custom front springs, and 31inch tires

**Classic Heartbeat** · 03-07-2003, 01:57 AM

Don't worry about the foam. Shut the engine down and walk away from it for a while and let the foam settle out. At least an hour.. Then add more fluid and turn the wheels back and forth from stop to stop again. It may foam again, but don't worry you are working the air out of the systom. Let it set over night and check the fluid level in the morning. Fill as needed to bring the level up and you should be alright. The instructions call for a bleeding procedure, but this way works for me. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com

ILUVJUNK · 03-07-2003, 02:06 AM

I agree with Wes, it is probably just a little air in the system. Just give it a little time. Also you should use actual power steering fluid. Lots of poeple use auto trans fluid, which is fine, but it tends to foam up sometimes. Power steering fluid has anti foaming agents in it.

Growdon · 03-07-2003, 08:43 PM

here are some pictures

Growdon · 03-07-2003, 08:44 PM

another

FRENCHBLUE72 · 03-07-2003, 08:49 PM

Look's like good progress im gonna try to get some work done on mine this weekend!!!!

Growdon · 03-07-2003, 08:52 PM

Last one.
You guys were right about the foam. I let it sit a few hours then went and kept starting the truck, letting it run for a few seconds, then adding fluid. The level finally stabilized, then I started turning the wheel. works good now ( although my neighbors think I'm a Jacka## for driving around with no passenger door).
Blue 71, I attached the truck pictures for you. It looks about the same height as yours. It is hard to tell in this picture, but the driveway is sloped. When the truck is on level ground the front and rear seem to be about level.

Thanks for the help.

Growdon · 03-07-2003, 08:55 PM

hers' one, hopefully not a repeat

Blue_71 · 03-07-2003, 09:35 PM

looking good, mine doesnt look anything like the picture i attached earlier anymore...now the hood is a blue 71 hood, the front left fender is a different one that is primed red, the door is red and white, the rest of the truck is still black, and i finally aired up the tires.. i noticed something in your pictures, my front locking hubs look different from yours.. are yours the originals? mine bolt on differently

Growdon · 03-08-2003, 09:41 PM

BLUE 71

I believe they are the originals.
They say Spicer on them. The metal around the allen screws on the cover has been stressed fron overtightening in the past, and is a little deformed. I am planning on upgrading some time and will probably go with mile marker, or warn.

Blue_71 · 03-08-2003, 10:18 PM

mine are like the ones on the left in this picture, it bolts on down at the bottem of the black part, and you have to take off the hub to get the rotors off

The Terminator · 03-08-2003, 10:24 PM

I really, really, like a work in progress. Mine is much the same, but I do have twice as many doors at this time. Best -

03-06-2003, 10:59 PM	#1
Growdon Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Northern California Posts: 53	Foaming p- steering pump I just finished a couple days worth of work on my 71 3/4 4x4. I replaced ball joints, tie rod ends, drag links, rotors, brake pads, front axle u-joints, rear leaf spring bushings, front springs (2 1/2 lift kit) pinion bearing, seals etc. Oh, and also the steering box and pump. WHew!!!! what a job. The pump keeps pumping up foam. I tried jacking up the front end and adding fluid while turning the wheel left to right with the engine running. I'm probably doing this all wrong, but I am tired. Anyways, help would be appreciated. Also I removed the passenger side rocker today----You have to like the guys in the GM plant running the spot welder (I think they were seeing who could put the most welds in my rockers). Sorry about the long post. I will try to get some pictures of the truck with the lift, and pictures of the rocker replacement in the next couple of days. __________________ 72 K5 CST 350/350. 4 wheel disks, 4" lift soft top. ###Sold 71 GMC Custom K2500, 3/4 ton 4x4. 350/350 ## Just bought, New Project

03-07-2003, 01:57 AM	#4
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,768	Don't worry about the foam. Shut the engine down and walk away from it for a while and let the foam settle out. At least an hour.. Then add more fluid and turn the wheels back and forth from stop to stop again. It may foam again, but don't worry you are working the air out of the systom. Let it set over night and check the fluid level in the morning. Fill as needed to bring the level up and you should be alright. The instructions call for a bleeding procedure, but this way works for me. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys

03-07-2003, 02:06 AM	#5
ILUVJUNK Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Prescott AZ USA Posts: 147	I agree with Wes, it is probably just a little air in the system. Just give it a little time. Also you should use actual power steering fluid. Lots of poeple use auto trans fluid, which is fine, but it tends to foam up sometimes. Power steering fluid has anti foaming agents in it. __________________ 1972 GMC Sierra Grande 4x4 long bed

03-07-2003, 08:43 PM	#6
Growdon Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Northern California Posts: 53	here are some pictures Attached Images __________________ 72 K5 CST 350/350. 4 wheel disks, 4" lift soft top. ###Sold 71 GMC Custom K2500, 3/4 ton 4x4. 350/350 ## Just bought, New Project

03-07-2003, 08:44 PM	#7
Growdon Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Northern California Posts: 53	another Attached Images __________________ 72 K5 CST 350/350. 4 wheel disks, 4" lift soft top. ###Sold 71 GMC Custom K2500, 3/4 ton 4x4. 350/350 ## Just bought, New Project

03-06-2003, 11:17 PM	#2
Piston Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Olathe, KS Posts: 2,301	Check for a cracked hose or bad line connection on the return hose. If everything checks ok there, fill the system up with fluid, start the engine and work the wheel from side to side. If at any point you hear it run low on fluid shut it off and add. Do this until the level stays consistant. Do no add fluid while its running.... The pump is already cavitating and adding fliud to foam only increases the amount thats going to come back out when the engine is shut off.

03-07-2003, 08:49 PM	#8
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,608	Look's like good progress im gonna try to get some work done on mine this weekend!!!! __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

03-07-2003, 08:52 PM	#9
Growdon Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Northern California Posts: 53	Last one. You guys were right about the foam. I let it sit a few hours then went and kept starting the truck, letting it run for a few seconds, then adding fluid. The level finally stabilized, then I started turning the wheel. works good now ( although my neighbors think I'm a Jacka## for driving around with no passenger door). Blue 71, I attached the truck pictures for you. It looks about the same height as yours. It is hard to tell in this picture, but the driveway is sloped. When the truck is on level ground the front and rear seem to be about level. Thanks for the help. Attached Images __________________ 72 K5 CST 350/350. 4 wheel disks, 4" lift soft top. ###Sold 71 GMC Custom K2500, 3/4 ton 4x4. 350/350 ## Just bought, New Project

03-07-2003, 08:55 PM	#10
Growdon Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Northern California Posts: 53	hers' one, hopefully not a repeat Attached Images __________________ 72 K5 CST 350/350. 4 wheel disks, 4" lift soft top. ###Sold 71 GMC Custom K2500, 3/4 ton 4x4. 350/350 ## Just bought, New Project

03-08-2003, 09:41 PM	#12
Growdon Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Northern California Posts: 53	BLUE 71 I believe they are the originals. They say Spicer on them. The metal around the allen screws on the cover has been stressed fron overtightening in the past, and is a little deformed. I am planning on upgrading some time and will probably go with mile marker, or warn. __________________ 72 K5 CST 350/350. 4 wheel disks, 4" lift soft top. ###Sold 71 GMC Custom K2500, 3/4 ton 4x4. 350/350 ## Just bought, New Project

03-08-2003, 10:24 PM	#14
The Terminator Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Dallas, GA 35 miles northwest of the armpit Posts: 51	I really, really, like a work in progress. Mine is much the same, but I do have twice as many doors at this time. Best - __________________ The Terminator John 3:16 1968 C10 SWB Stepside



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