steering box/pump trouble - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

1963chev · 04-25-2011, 05:22 PM

Hi, I bought and installed an aftermarket quick ratio steering box from CPP and hooked it up to the existing steering pump on my 350 cu in engine. I primed it good but the front of the steering box blew off while I was backing into the garage within 2 days. CPP covered it under warrenty and I installed the second steering box but I was nervous so I bought a rebuilt power steering pump. As I disconnected the old pump a small amount of rusty brown tranny fluid came out of the low pressure line before it flowed the nice clean red fluid that I had put in during both installs. Now this old pump had been completely drained and I used new fluid on both the box that blew up and on the second install. I had good pressure because you could turn the steering wheel with one finger. Doesnt the fluid circulate? How could I get dark rusty brown fluid in one spot right after shutting the engine off? Any help/ideas out there? thanks

**Classic Heartbeat** · 04-25-2011, 05:59 PM

The only thing I can think of is you must have had some old fluid left in one of the lines. Perhaps the high pressure line. However you shouldn't be using transmission fluid for power steering. It is all hydrolic fluid, however the transmission fluid has additives that eat the seals in the pump and steering gear. Use power steering fluid. WES

1963chev · 04-25-2011, 06:16 PM

Thanks, I have researched this ATF vs Power Steering fliud argument before and man I have heard both sides. I will go with PS fluid this time. Ever heard of a box blowing up? Does the fluid circulate or just pressure up? Ever heard of a pump putting out too much pressure? Thanks

68gmsee · 04-25-2011, 07:18 PM

I've used the trans fluid before but went back to p.s. fluid on mine. Didn't encounter problems but I was concerned with the chemical additives of auto trans fluid like Wes mentioned.

Re. gear box blowing up and pump putting out too much pressure: Negative to both.

I've never heard of the gearbox blowing up but I'm sure if there was a defective part or assembly screw up it could happen. As for the pump putting out too much pressure, I don't believe that can happen either. You'd have to completely redisign the thing.

1963chev · 04-26-2011, 06:09 PM

Thanks, so from both of your comments I'm thinking this really was a defective steering box and that I should be fine now. I will throw the new PS pump on just cause I have it and go back to PS Fluid. How am I gonna drain that gear box? I cant tear it off again! Can I mix fluids, ATF and PS, and then cirulate out the ATF?

1963chev · 04-28-2011, 11:00 AM

A little more help please. I got the new PS pump installed and Circulated out the ATF and filled with PS Fluid but the wheels turn to the right noticably easier than to the left. When the front wheels are off the ground they even slowly drift to the right on their own. Any ideas on that?

04-25-2011, 05:22 PM	#1
1963chev Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 80	steering box/pump trouble Hi, I bought and installed an aftermarket quick ratio steering box from CPP and hooked it up to the existing steering pump on my 350 cu in engine. I primed it good but the front of the steering box blew off while I was backing into the garage within 2 days. CPP covered it under warrenty and I installed the second steering box but I was nervous so I bought a rebuilt power steering pump. As I disconnected the old pump a small amount of rusty brown tranny fluid came out of the low pressure line before it flowed the nice clean red fluid that I had put in during both installs. Now this old pump had been completely drained and I used new fluid on both the box that blew up and on the second install. I had good pressure because you could turn the steering wheel with one finger. Doesnt the fluid circulate? How could I get dark rusty brown fluid in one spot right after shutting the engine off? Any help/ideas out there? thanks

04-25-2011, 05:59 PM	#2
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,770	Re: steering box/pump trouble The only thing I can think of is you must have had some old fluid left in one of the lines. Perhaps the high pressure line. However you shouldn't be using transmission fluid for power steering. It is all hydrolic fluid, however the transmission fluid has additives that eat the seals in the pump and steering gear. Use power steering fluid. WES __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys

04-25-2011, 06:16 PM	#3
1963chev Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 80	Re: steering box/pump trouble Thanks, I have researched this ATF vs Power Steering fliud argument before and man I have heard both sides. I will go with PS fluid this time. Ever heard of a box blowing up? Does the fluid circulate or just pressure up? Ever heard of a pump putting out too much pressure? Thanks

04-25-2011, 07:18 PM	#4
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: steering box/pump trouble I've used the trans fluid before but went back to p.s. fluid on mine. Didn't encounter problems but I was concerned with the chemical additives of auto trans fluid like Wes mentioned. Re. gear box blowing up and pump putting out too much pressure: Negative to both. I've never heard of the gearbox blowing up but I'm sure if there was a defective part or assembly screw up it could happen. As for the pump putting out too much pressure, I don't believe that can happen either. You'd have to completely redisign the thing.

04-26-2011, 06:09 PM	#5
1963chev Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 80	Re: steering box/pump trouble Thanks, so from both of your comments I'm thinking this really was a defective steering box and that I should be fine now. I will throw the new PS pump on just cause I have it and go back to PS Fluid. How am I gonna drain that gear box? I cant tear it off again! Can I mix fluids, ATF and PS, and then cirulate out the ATF?

04-28-2011, 11:00 AM	#6
1963chev Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 80	Re: steering box/pump trouble A little more help please. I got the new PS pump installed and Circulated out the ATF and filled with PS Fluid but the wheels turn to the right noticably easier than to the left. When the front wheels are off the ground they even slowly drift to the right on their own. Any ideas on that?



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