Power Steering Problems... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

72BlckButy · 11-03-2005, 07:56 PM

Okay guys, I recently, within the past 3 or 4 weeks, replaced my powersteering pump due to the bearings starting to whine. Now, my truck doesn't get driven very much, but it does get moved at least once or twice a week. Well, today I decide to drive it into work which is about 15-20 miles away. It drives fine all the way there, and all the way back. I leave it outside the garage to let those headers cool down, and when I go out to pull it in....the powersteering pump is whining again. Does anyone have a possible solution to what is going wrong? Any assistance in this matter is greatly appreciated. I was planning on driving it a much as I can since winter weather is around the corner, but now, it looks like it's going to be sitting. The powersteering pump came from the local Advance Auto Parts, and has a lifetime warranty. And just to add, it did and still does have enough fluid in it, and the lines are not kinked. Thanks!

72BlckButy · 11-04-2005, 08:41 AM

Ttt...

Blue4x4 · 11-04-2005, 10:01 AM

You might want to jack up the front end of the truck ( front wheels off the ground) With the engine off, steer back and forth.This will help to get the air out. I have had this problem on 2 trucks. Just cause you have fluid in the resivor, and the truck is running doesnt mean it will force out he air.

**Green Machine** · 11-04-2005, 10:11 AM

Did you use power steering fluid of ATF in your pump ? When I put a new pump on I used "power steering" fluid in mine. When it got really cold like around zero deg or less it really whined. I drained that out and put in Dexron auto tranny fluid which is a little thinner, doesn't whine now when cold, you might try that route.

**truckdude239** · 11-04-2005, 10:36 AM

atf fuild will eat the rubber hoses over time i had a truck at work where all we would run is atf in the power steering and it ate all the seals out of the gear box in about 3 months just my $.02

**Green Machine** · 11-04-2005, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truckdude239

atf fuild will eat the rubber hoses over time i had a truck at work where all we would run is atf in the power steering and it ate all the seals out of the gear box in about 3 months just my $.02

I used to work in several garages during the '70's and IIRC there was no concept of power steering fluid then, we always used ATF and never had any problems. My 88 that I changed the pump on I was going to be nice to it and put in "power steering" fluid which looks and smells like common hydraulic fluid to me, and it caused noise when cold, too thick, drained it and put in dexron, no problems now. Now I might be more careful with the newer rack and pinion systems, but the GM pump and sector design hasn't changed in years, so ATF should be just fine. I put a used power steering on my 68 about 15 years ago and filled it with ATF, been just fine and no leaks. ATF must be pretty rubber friendly, because auto trannys have plently of rubber seals inside and out. JMHO.

72BlckButy · 11-04-2005, 02:22 PM

Hey thanks guys...I'll try the lifting the front of the truck up this weekend. I sure hope that it works. It wasn't that big of a hassle to take out the old one, but if I don't have to do that again, it wouldn't bother me.

72BlckButy · 11-04-2005, 02:23 PM

Hey Blue do you think that the pump will have been hurt since there was no real return on the fluid, or if there was, very little fluid went through the system?

LSGarage · 11-04-2005, 10:59 PM

I just bought a 67 GMC 4x4 with a 71 chevy front axle (power disc brakes and power steering). The PS box was leaking pretty good when I first got it home. It would drain the pump in about a week or two's sitting. I just kept adding ATF fluid and in a couple of refilld the box has now stopped leaking. Remember ATF fluid also has seal swelling additives in it also.

11-03-2005, 07:56 PM	#1
72BlckButy Tot Roddin' Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 24,461	Help Power Steering Problems... Okay guys, I recently, within the past 3 or 4 weeks, replaced my powersteering pump due to the bearings starting to whine. Now, my truck doesn't get driven very much, but it does get moved at least once or twice a week. Well, today I decide to drive it into work which is about 15-20 miles away. It drives fine all the way there, and all the way back. I leave it outside the garage to let those headers cool down, and when I go out to pull it in....the powersteering pump is whining again. Does anyone have a possible solution to what is going wrong? Any assistance in this matter is greatly appreciated. I was planning on driving it a much as I can since winter weather is around the corner, but now, it looks like it's going to be sitting. The powersteering pump came from the local Advance Auto Parts, and has a lifetime warranty. And just to add, it did and still does have enough fluid in it, and the lines are not kinked. Thanks! __________________ -Nate 1969 CST SWB - Project Blank Slate (4.5/6" ECE Static Drop, 6-lug disc brake upgrade (manual), Billet Specialties Vintec 20x8.5 255/40 (F) 20x10 295/40 (R), 250 I-6) 1960 AMF Skylark - Tot Roddin' (Lowered with custom frame; soon to include custom push bar and interior) 2008 Silverado CrewCab 1LT (5.3L, 3:73, 4x4, LT1, Z-71, Towing Package) Last edited by 72BlckButy; 11-03-2005 at 08:20 PM. Reason: To change title

11-04-2005, 08:41 AM	#2
72BlckButy Tot Roddin' Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 24,461	Re: Power Steering Problems... Ttt... __________________ -Nate 1969 CST SWB - Project Blank Slate (4.5/6" ECE Static Drop, 6-lug disc brake upgrade (manual), Billet Specialties Vintec 20x8.5 255/40 (F) 20x10 295/40 (R), 250 I-6) 1960 AMF Skylark - Tot Roddin' (Lowered with custom frame; soon to include custom push bar and interior) 2008 Silverado CrewCab 1LT (5.3L, 3:73, 4x4, LT1, Z-71, Towing Package)

11-04-2005, 10:01 AM	#3
Blue4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Sparks, NV Posts: 790	Re: Power Steering Problems... You might want to jack up the front end of the truck ( front wheels off the ground) With the engine off, steer back and forth.This will help to get the air out. I have had this problem on 2 trucks. Just cause you have fluid in the resivor, and the truck is running doesnt mean it will force out he air.

11-04-2005, 10:11 AM	#4
Green Machine Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Estherville, Iowa Posts: 3,371	Re: Power Steering Problems... Did you use power steering fluid of ATF in your pump ? When I put a new pump on I used "power steering" fluid in mine. When it got really cold like around zero deg or less it really whined. I drained that out and put in Dexron auto tranny fluid which is a little thinner, doesn't whine now when cold, you might try that route. __________________ 1968 C10 307 3spd Long Fleet ------ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=201103 1970 C10 305 Super T10 Long Fleet --- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=202285 1971 C20 383 TH350 Dana Posi ----- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=206894 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 C3 6.0

11-04-2005, 10:36 AM	#5
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,233	Re: Power Steering Problems... atf fuild will eat the rubber hoses over time i had a truck at work where all we would run is atf in the power steering and it ate all the seals out of the gear box in about 3 months just my $.02 Last edited by truckdude239; 11-04-2005 at 10:37 AM.

11-04-2005, 02:22 PM	#7
72BlckButy Tot Roddin' Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 24,461	Re: Power Steering Problems... Hey thanks guys...I'll try the lifting the front of the truck up this weekend. I sure hope that it works. It wasn't that big of a hassle to take out the old one, but if I don't have to do that again, it wouldn't bother me. __________________ -Nate 1969 CST SWB - Project Blank Slate (4.5/6" ECE Static Drop, 6-lug disc brake upgrade (manual), Billet Specialties Vintec 20x8.5 255/40 (F) 20x10 295/40 (R), 250 I-6) 1960 AMF Skylark - Tot Roddin' (Lowered with custom frame; soon to include custom push bar and interior) 2008 Silverado CrewCab 1LT (5.3L, 3:73, 4x4, LT1, Z-71, Towing Package)

11-04-2005, 02:23 PM	#8
72BlckButy Tot Roddin' Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 24,461	Re: Power Steering Problems... Hey Blue do you think that the pump will have been hurt since there was no real return on the fluid, or if there was, very little fluid went through the system? __________________ -Nate 1969 CST SWB - Project Blank Slate (4.5/6" ECE Static Drop, 6-lug disc brake upgrade (manual), Billet Specialties Vintec 20x8.5 255/40 (F) 20x10 295/40 (R), 250 I-6) 1960 AMF Skylark - Tot Roddin' (Lowered with custom frame; soon to include custom push bar and interior) 2008 Silverado CrewCab 1LT (5.3L, 3:73, 4x4, LT1, Z-71, Towing Package)

11-04-2005, 10:59 PM	#9
LSGarage Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Mechanicsburg, PA Posts: 86	Re: Power Steering Problems... I just bought a 67 GMC 4x4 with a 71 chevy front axle (power disc brakes and power steering). The PS box was leaking pretty good when I first got it home. It would drain the pump in about a week or two's sitting. I just kept adding ATF fluid and in a couple of refilld the box has now stopped leaking. Remember ATF fluid also has seal swelling additives in it also.



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