power steering help please

[acl]

This will be long, I'm sorry. I am atempting to put power steering on a 68. I have put on a used steering box as well as 5 p/s pumps. They all will not stop whining and is not smooth steering when driving. I have put on a second used p/s box with the same results. I have had fluid "foam" out of the top of the pump cap 2 different times (never seen that before). I am lost. If a new box will fix this I will spend the $250.00 but I would like some opinions before I drop that much. I have primed the pump (turn w/fluid before belt is installed) New hoses no crimps. Any help. If I had this much prob with my first truck i might not be working on the second one. Thanks Gary

[raycow]

It sounds like you may have air in the system. Jack both front wheels off the ground. Then start the engine and turn the steering wheel back and forth through its full travel several times. If the fluid level goes down, refill it and repeat the wheel turning until the fluid level remains constant.

Ray

[brans72]

agree with Ray sounds like air is in the system.

[acl]

hey thanks for the response. I have tried that a couple times for 5 to 10 min. did not help. any one ever break loose the pressure hose while running?? thanks for the help. Gary Sorry , I mean breaking it loose to "bleed" the air?

[jay6891]

Dont think I would break the hose loose. Good way to at the very least take a bath. Worst case, hand in a pulley or a fan. What the guys are telling you is sound advice. I would turn semi-slow to keep the fluid from foaming. Never had problems like you are saying. Good Luck Man

[acl]

thanks jay, will try turning lock to lock again. Would air in system make it choppy when turning also. It will turn and "hang up" and turn some more. any other ideas. Thanks Gary

[eightbanger]

Everything you are describing...hanging, whining, foaming are all the symptoms of air in the system. I did mine with the engine off turning the wheels lock to lock for a good number of times, then a few with the engine running until the fluid level stopped dropping, also remember to do all this with the reservoir cap removed as this helps let the air escape.

[acl]

i will try some more. with it already foamy do i need to do anything else or will the foamy air in system go away? Thanks Gary

[eightbanger]

Originally Posted by acl

i will try some more. with it already foamy do i need to do anything else or will the foamy air in system go away? Thanks Gary

The foam should settle, the main reason I think for the fluid turning foamy is that it is getting hot, thats why its better turning the wheels back and forth to purge the air when the Truck isn't running.

[chevy_mike]

To state the obvious, you do have the high pressure line hooked into the correct port on the PS box, correct? Just throwing that out there.

As for bleading, everything I have ever read is to have the vehicle in the air, engine off and turn the steering lock to lock about 15-20 times, and make sure the fluid level stays correct. Then do the same with the engine running. Make sure you don't over fill the fluid level as that can cause foaming issues.

[70STOVEBOLT]

I just converted mine last weekend, and I didn't jack the truck up, I just filled the reservior and then started the engine and turned the wheel very slowly from lock to lock about a dozen or so times, checking the fluid level after each few times, and the foam eventually went away. I could see bubbles coming up through the foam each time I added fluid. Power steering is great!!

[68 short step]

Originally Posted by chevy_mike

To state the obvious, you do have the high pressure line hooked into the correct port on the PS box, correct? Just throwing that out there.

.

my thoughts too

[Little Red]

Have to agree with Chevy_Mike as well


After 5 pumps, 2 boxes and constant bleeding with the same results, the probability of having those lines mixed up at the box is great.
In the end, after you get it all figured out, Lucas p/s stop leak works fantastic for making your steering smooth and quiet, not just for leaks.

[72lb4x4]

This is strange. I've replaced the pump, hoses, and gearbox on my Camaro and K10. Both times I just filled w/ fluid, cranked the wheel lock to lock a few times, topped the fluid off and was done.

No lifting the front end, no endless bleeding.

[acl]

now you have me thinking about lines. But can they be put on wrong? Just di not think the hose ends would let that happen? thanks and keep other ideas coming. Looking at getting another box this weekend and trying a different pump as well. If i replace both these again i should jack it up and turn lock to lock numerous time and fill fluid as needed is this correct???? any other advice to bleed system? Thanks a bunch. Gary

[acl]

Thinking if my first box was "bad" could that mess up a new pump? I have not changed pump since installing 2nd gear box. Huh Any thoughts?? Gary

[red71cheyenne]

I thought the pump was bad on mine, but once I put in a reman steering gear, all was well. Think I got it at Autozone for less than $200. Mine never did the foaming thing like yours, it was just hard to turn like a manual.

[alfeefish]

Did your frame have a dimple for steering box?

[acl]

Originally Posted by alfeefish

Did your frame have a dimple for steering box?

yes but did have to trim bumper mount to fit. Thanks Gary