Power Steering problem diagnosis?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

nosto · 06-30-2003, 01:18 PM

I'm having some problems with the power steering on my '67. It's a Saginaw 'canned ham' big pulley pump installed by the DPO; I don't know the doner vehicle type.

At idle, I can't turn the steering wheel quickly, turning it slowly produces a very loud Rrrrr'ing sound, ocasionally I can feel the 'power' steering come into play, but mostly its an arm wrenching experience. While driving it works OK, but every time I move the wheel, I get a Rrrr'ing that's louder than the motor!

Full of fluid, belt is tight and no leaks. The rest of the FE is all new.

Is the pump trying to tell me something????

Thanks,

cdowns · 06-30-2003, 01:32 PM

maybe with the big pulley and low revs it's not producing enough pressure , do you have oversize tires???

nosto · 06-30-2003, 01:50 PM

No, just 235/75X15 tires. But next week I expect to have something LARGER....

The PS worked fine BEFORE I tore the truck apart. All the pics of this PS pump I've seen have that big pulley; it's almost the same size as the crank pulley, so there's a 1:1 ratio, so at idle, I would expect some problems. But I think this noise is unusual, it's way too loud.

VTKidder · 06-30-2003, 02:05 PM

Like he said...I'd assume the pulley is too big and revs are down. That RRRRRRRing sound is usually heard when a system is low on fluid (not enough fluid moving to properly aid in steering), the same would happen if you had a huge pulley, you aren't pushing enough fluid at low revs to adequately assist you. Would make sense the problem goes away when revvvved. Good diagnosis above....

cableguy0 · 06-30-2003, 03:54 PM

have u bled the system out put the front of the truck up on stand take the cap off teh fluid resevoir and turn the wheel lock to lock as long as it takes check on teh fluid level in the pump and make sure it is full when the wheels are straight

nosto · 07-01-2003, 09:14 PM

Thanks everyone!
cableguy0 - I followed your suggestions and it worked. Took about another pint of fluid. No more noise!
Wish all problems were this easy to fix!

06-30-2003, 01:18 PM	#1
nosto Flamin' Bass Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Galloway, NJ, US Posts: 315	Power Steering problem diagnosis?? I'm having some problems with the power steering on my '67. It's a Saginaw 'canned ham' big pulley pump installed by the DPO; I don't know the doner vehicle type. At idle, I can't turn the steering wheel quickly, turning it slowly produces a very loud Rrrrr'ing sound, ocasionally I can feel the 'power' steering come into play, but mostly its an arm wrenching experience. While driving it works OK, but every time I move the wheel, I get a Rrrr'ing that's louder than the motor! Full of fluid, belt is tight and no leaks. The rest of the FE is all new. Is the pump trying to tell me something???? Thanks, __________________ Rick Olson /nosto/ Galloway, NJ Pics : http://community.webshots.com/user/nosto53 1972 Triumph TR6 - full resto, now with a Toyota 5-speed 1975 F**D F-100 - rusty, but reliable 1982 HD XLH-1000 1967 C-10, shortstep, 350/M21 4spd, nitrogen tank fills fast bags on 4 corners, Toyo 255/45X20s on American Eagle 221 20X8s, shaved locks and handles, antenna, fuel filler, tiny C-notch, rear fuel tank, long headers, Edelbrock, worn 600 Holley, Checkmate flush hard cover, rear pan, custom LED taillights - painted it, too! But don't like it so I'm gonna do it again!!

06-30-2003, 01:32 PM	#2
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	maybe with the big pulley and low revs it's not producing enough pressure , do you have oversize tires??? __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

06-30-2003, 01:50 PM	#3
nosto Flamin' Bass Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Galloway, NJ, US Posts: 315	No, just 235/75X15 tires. But next week I expect to have something LARGER.... The PS worked fine BEFORE I tore the truck apart. All the pics of this PS pump I've seen have that big pulley; it's almost the same size as the crank pulley, so there's a 1:1 ratio, so at idle, I would expect some problems. But I think this noise is unusual, it's way too loud. __________________ Rick Olson /nosto/ Galloway, NJ Pics : http://community.webshots.com/user/nosto53 1972 Triumph TR6 - full resto, now with a Toyota 5-speed 1975 F**D F-100 - rusty, but reliable 1982 HD XLH-1000 1967 C-10, shortstep, 350/M21 4spd, nitrogen tank fills fast bags on 4 corners, Toyo 255/45X20s on American Eagle 221 20X8s, shaved locks and handles, antenna, fuel filler, tiny C-notch, rear fuel tank, long headers, Edelbrock, worn 600 Holley, Checkmate flush hard cover, rear pan, custom LED taillights - painted it, too! But don't like it so I'm gonna do it again!!

06-30-2003, 03:54 PM	#5
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,950	have u bled the system out put the front of the truck up on stand take the cap off teh fluid resevoir and turn the wheel lock to lock as long as it takes check on teh fluid level in the pump and make sure it is full when the wheels are straight __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

07-01-2003, 09:14 PM	#6
nosto Flamin' Bass Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Galloway, NJ, US Posts: 315	Thanks everyone! cableguy0 - I followed your suggestions and it worked. Took about another pint of fluid. No more noise! Wish all problems were this easy to fix! __________________ Rick Olson /nosto/ Galloway, NJ Pics : http://community.webshots.com/user/nosto53 1972 Triumph TR6 - full resto, now with a Toyota 5-speed 1975 F**D F-100 - rusty, but reliable 1982 HD XLH-1000 1967 C-10, shortstep, 350/M21 4spd, nitrogen tank fills fast bags on 4 corners, Toyo 255/45X20s on American Eagle 221 20X8s, shaved locks and handles, antenna, fuel filler, tiny C-notch, rear fuel tank, long headers, Edelbrock, worn 600 Holley, Checkmate flush hard cover, rear pan, custom LED taillights - painted it, too! But don't like it so I'm gonna do it again!!

06-30-2003, 02:05 PM	#4
VTKidder Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Vermont Posts: 996	Like he said...I'd assume the pulley is too big and revs are down. That RRRRRRRing sound is usually heard when a system is low on fluid (not enough fluid moving to properly aid in steering), the same would happen if you had a huge pulley, you aren't pushing enough fluid at low revs to adequately assist you. Would make sense the problem goes away when revvvved. Good diagnosis above....

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