Power steering problems, need HELP!!!

[glock35ipsc]

I posted this over on the suspension board too.

I put power steering on the 68 (2wd), took all the parts from a 72 2wd. I finally got the pulley today that matches the billet ones I am running on the motor. I have had nothing but problems since.

I can't get rid of the grinding/whining noise. Now, I don't litterally mean "grinding", but I can't spell the noise You know the noise I mean, the sound the pump usually makes when it is really low on fluid.

I have bled the crap out of this thing, 3 quarts worth! I am bleeding it at the steering gear on the pressure hose. I just can't get rid of the noise, and it turns like crap too. When going from lock to lock, it has spots where it is easy to turn (like it should), and spots where it is tight. I have adjusted the gear box several times, nothing. And that is with the front end off the ground. Drive it and it is worse, then it makes that damn noise that I can't get rid of!

Now, the pump is a reman unit. I have had it about 7 years, BUT, it has been tightly sealed in the same thick plastic bag it came in when I bought it, still covered in the fluid that it was shipped in, so everything was still nice and soft, not hard or brittle (o-rings I mean). As far as I know, the gear box should be OK. I got everything from the donar truck except for the pump, and I took the pump from a 72 4wd and installed the new/remaned pump I already had. Everything on the pump went together the reverse as it came apart. I double checked that the pressure side went in correctly, and it all looks right.

HELP!! I have no more $$$ to put into this thing! I may put the manual gear back on for now until I can figure this thing out.

[lost wages]

i just went through the same thing on my truck, i set it on jackstands and moved it all the way to the left then right with the engine running, it was doing what you described, i finnaly tightened the belt a little more and kept at it and it ready to go now, leave all the hoses hooked up when you do this.

[jlive68]

I had a friend of mine that was having this prob. with his 78 chevy and it was a hole in the PS line that was sucking air. The only thing was it didn't leak. I took us about 2 weeks to find.

[glock35ipsc]

Originally Posted by lost wages

i just went through the same thing on my truck, i set it on jackstands and moved it all the way to the left then right with the engine running, it was doing what you described, i finnaly tightened the belt a little more and kept at it and it ready to go now, leave all the hoses hooked up when you do this.

I have done this a million time it seems like. How long did it take yours to "snap out of it" by doing this? Thanks!

One thing I forgot to mention is the P/S fluid is always real bubbly, kinda foamy like. ???

[boraxman]

Does sound like its sucking air from somewhere. If you need to get a different pump by chance try www.rockauto.com for the best price on a reman. unit...good luck.

[glock35ipsc]

Originally Posted by boraxman

Does sound like its sucking air from somewhere.

Actually, yes it does. When I shut the engine off, there is a sucking sound for a few seconds. Not sure where it is coming from. Also, with the engine off, and turning the wheels lock to lock, there is a definate sucking sound just before each lock. But I have checked and double checked all of the fittings and clamps on both hoses, and all are tight.


I called CarQuest this morning, and they are sending over a reman pump with a reservoir for $60 plus core. I'll try that tonight.