Power steering question

[Ace in the hole]

I am starting to think my steering pump is bad. I am getting my truck back together but not ready to fire it back up yet. I put the steering pump back on and thought I would re-prime it and have it ready to go. Thought I could just spin it by hand and move the fluid thru the system but it did not work. Thought it might need more speed so I chucked an old pulley in a drill, ran the belt around it and the pumps pulley and spun it, both forward and reverse - still nothing. Am I missing something or is my thinking right and my pump is shot?

[JimKshortstep4x4]

I have never tried what you are trying to do but from what I have seen the pumps very seldom go bad so I would still try it on the truck.

Jim

[68gmsee]

Come to think of it, in all the cars and trucks I've had, I don't think I've ever had one go bad either. Noisy or leaky, yeah, but not to where they wouldn't pump fluid.

I think Jim is right. When you get it all ready to go, hook it up and test it. If it still doesn't work then chase it from there.

[Ace in the hole]

Ya, I have never had one go bad either. I have it mounted on the engine, all hooked up and thought I would pump the fluid back through the lines but I guess I can't. I can't figure it out unless there is some kind of clutch mechanism inside and I'm not spinning it fast enough.

[DavesRide]

The pump is pressure sensative by means of a valve. If it isn't asked to do work like (trying to move pitmnan arm under load of tires) it won't. If it isn't actually powering the gear box it doesn't do anything as far as moving fluid other than lubricating itself.

[Ace in the hole]

Ok thanks, that makes sense. It was bugging me because I was reading the shop manual and the process for filling the system with fluid. It states to start and run the engine for 2 or 3 seconds, shut off, fill the pump and repeat until the level stays the same. Then proceed to run the engine and turn the steering from one stop to the other several times and check again. I thought I could at least fill the system and get it close by hand.

[68gmsee]

Very true--- Here's a link in How stuff Works that explains the theory. Amazing how much info is in the "How Stuff Works" site. I've used it to show pics of engine inner works to the nephews. Simplistic and has good pics. If you scroll down it explains what DavesRide is saying.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/steering4.htm

[bartstoy]

Had them leak and squeek but never go bad. Still running the original from my SBC on my BBC. Lost the cap a couple of times, but that's it.

[Ace in the hole]

Quick update- got it working. I had the motor almost ready to fire up so I got it ready and hot wired it. Got it purring like a kitten and the steering pump started pumping, all is good.

[68gmsee]

Originally Posted by Ace in the hole

Quick update- got it working. I had the motor almost ready to fire up so I got it ready and hot wired it. Got it purring like a kitten and the steering pump started pumping, all is good.

Alright! Nothing like when you first crank it, and it starts up and you get it going.