steering doesn't work good on truck - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

pete29 · 11-10-2008, 11:13 AM

I recently put a new steering box on my truck i then jacked the front of the truck off the ground put new ps fluid in and turn the wheel right to left several times, but when it is on the ground in park or moving slow you can't turn the wheels. Should you be able to turn the wheels when it is in park, if so any suggestions.

bouncytruck · 11-10-2008, 12:38 PM

Yes, you should be able to turn the wheels. Is the steering box for a 2wd or 4wd?

pete29 · 11-10-2008, 12:56 PM

Its a 4wheel drive box on a 4wd truck.

bouncytruck · 11-10-2008, 01:15 PM

Did you use the stock steering arm? Could you have an air bubble in the lines?

pete29 · 11-10-2008, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bouncytruck

Did you use the stock steering arm? Could you have an air bubble in the lines?

Yes i did use the stock arm and i think it is probably because there is air in it. What is the best way to get it out.

RED72blazer · 11-10-2008, 03:05 PM

with the engine running move the steering wheel lock to lock....repeatedly.

pete29 · 11-10-2008, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RED72blazer

with the engine running move the steering wheel lock to lock....repeatedly.

I jacked it up and did that several times, my cap on the pump isn't very tight, could this be the problem. Any way you can unhook the line with it running to get out the air. if so which one.

hdflstf · 11-10-2008, 03:49 PM

A new box will 'eat up' a bunch of fluid. If the lock to lock doesn't get it, drive it some, do some u-turns etc and check the fluid.

I assume you have the egine running when it's in park when you are trying to turn the wheels?

RED72blazer · 11-10-2008, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pete29

I jacked it up and did that several times, my cap on the pump isn't very tight, could this be the problem. Any way you can unhook the line with it running to get out the air. if so which one.

it can take awhile. how many is several times? 5 or 6? I'm talking like 50 times...I've had a lot of pumps take forever.....and don't unhook a line while it's running, you are asking for a big mess.

Jtrux · 11-10-2008, 06:01 PM

Yep lock to lock...HARD. Get out of the truck and pull on the steering wheel using the door to brace yourself while you pull like crazy. It sounds crazy but a local gearhead who rebuilds pumps and boxes told me that. It works too. Peridically check the fluid while your doing this too. Also, sometimes if it still won't work, turn the wheel one direction all the way and then turn the truck off and let it sit for a few minutes and let the air work it's way up, then turn it back on and turn the wheel the other way and turn it off again and do the same thing. This works well too.

vtblazer · 11-11-2008, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pete29

my cap on the pump isn't very tight, could this be the problem.

Not an initial concern, you can run it with the cap off/out if you wanted to watch the fluid levels.

Is the pump whining?

pete29 · 11-11-2008, 09:44 AM

It doesn't whine when it is setting running, it does a little when i try to turn the wheels.

vtblazer · 11-11-2008, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pete29

It doesn't whine when it is setting running, it does a little when i try to turn the wheels.

Sounds like there's still air in the lines.

11-10-2008, 11:13 AM	#1
pete29 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Knoxville, Iowa Posts: 122	steering doesn't work good on truck I recently put a new steering box on my truck i then jacked the front of the truck off the ground put new ps fluid in and turn the wheel right to left several times, but when it is on the ground in park or moving slow you can't turn the wheels. Should you be able to turn the wheels when it is in park, if so any suggestions.

11-10-2008, 12:38 PM	#2
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,049	Re: steering doesn't work good on truck Yes, you should be able to turn the wheels. Is the steering box for a 2wd or 4wd? __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

11-10-2008, 12:56 PM	#3
pete29 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Knoxville, Iowa Posts: 122	Re: steering doesn't work good on truck Its a 4wheel drive box on a 4wd truck.

11-10-2008, 01:15 PM	#4
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,049	Re: steering doesn't work good on truck Did you use the stock steering arm? Could you have an air bubble in the lines? __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

11-10-2008, 03:05 PM	#6
RED72blazer urban fourwheelin Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,007	Re: steering doesn't work good on truck with the engine running move the steering wheel lock to lock....repeatedly. __________________ 1972 K5 Blazer with Cummins 4BT, NV4500 swap in the parts gathering stage.

11-10-2008, 03:49 PM	#8
hdflstf Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Desert Southwest Posts: 540	Re: steering doesn't work good on truck A new box will 'eat up' a bunch of fluid. If the lock to lock doesn't get it, drive it some, do some u-turns etc and check the fluid. I assume you have the egine running when it's in park when you are trying to turn the wheels?

11-10-2008, 06:01 PM	#10
Jtrux I'm a poor spectator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Antonio, Tx Posts: 2,287	Re: steering doesn't work good on truck Yep lock to lock...HARD. Get out of the truck and pull on the steering wheel using the door to brace yourself while you pull like crazy. It sounds crazy but a local gearhead who rebuilds pumps and boxes told me that. It works too. Peridically check the fluid while your doing this too. Also, sometimes if it still won't work, turn the wheel one direction all the way and then turn the truck off and let it sit for a few minutes and let the air work it's way up, then turn it back on and turn the wheel the other way and turn it off again and do the same thing. This works well too. __________________ 2006 Jeep Unlimited IMPACT ORANGE 1993 Chevy 2500 4x4 ExCab LWB 454/NV4500 Tow rig 1977 Ford F100 2x4 LWB 1st truck I owned, still have it!!! 1979 Ford F150 4x4 SWB Built Ford Tough!!! 1971 Chevy Blazer 350 / SM465 / NP205 UNDER CONSTRUCTION Soon to have a LQ4 6.0!!!

11-11-2008, 09:44 AM	#12
pete29 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Knoxville, Iowa Posts: 122	Re: steering doesn't work good on truck It doesn't whine when it is setting running, it does a little when i try to turn the wheels.



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