I think my truck is cursed

[HalfTon]

Im starting to wonder if my truck is cursed. Ill start from the begining here, my truck was orginally no power steering or no power brakes from the factory. The previous owner converted it to power steering. I dont know what chevy truck this power steering set up is from but it works good and serves its purpose, but there is a catch to this story. Once a month, one of the two bolts that are mounted to the engine will randomly decide to break off inside the block. Im really am not joking, this happens every month since May. I figured it was just me tightening the bolts to much, that wasnt the problem. So i tried stronger bolts, this power steering bracket is breaking grade 8 bolts like their tooth picks! Every time a bolt breaks it gets more challenging to get it back out. I really am considering to going back to a manual steering box. This truck is my daily driver and I need this thing to be as reliable as possible. This power steering has let me down multiple times and worst of all, it left me on the side of the road while trying to make it to the hot rod power tour when it was in st.louis. How much harder is it to drive with a manual steering box? Im not a wimp by any means but Im also dont have arms of popeye the sailor. Do these trucks have to be man handled to steer them without power steering? What do you guys think I should do, try to find a original factory PS setup or just go with the manual steering?

[unreconstructed1]

I drove my 67 forever with manual steering. it's definitely harder, but it's not impossible by any means. proper tire pressure and higher speeds make turning that much easier. With that being said, I am definitely converting mine to p/s at some point.

[SeeTen]

Manual steering is the BEST!

I'm on a most likely original steering box, shaft and suspension (blown out, everything looks like it needs replacing) and I have no trouble at all when I'm at proper tire pressure.

Sure, you're going to be swinging your arms in more circles to make the same turn as you would in your power steering rig, but it's really not much more difficult at all (even at a standstill).

But I cannot stress enough - tire pressure is KEY! I thought my gear box was blown out when I first got my truck. Then I visited the gas station, put in 15PSI and I was laughing all the way home.

Oh, and steering wheel size wouldn't hurt either. If you're rocking one of those aftermarket 13"-15" deals, you may find yourself considering investing in an old bus type steering wheel. I did, and it works great (cracking and all!)

Oh - and when it's running, I use it as my daily driver too.

[Square_78]

Well if the bracket is breaking off grade 8 bolts then you obviously have another problem in that area. SOmething must be loose or bent or broken to cause the pump to move/flex enough to break off the bolts. I dont think its cursed. You just need to poke around and figure out why its happening.

[Rob H.]

A picture of your pump set up would help, sounds like you are missing a brace maybe, causing undo stress on the bolts holding the pump on. My 72 was manual steering and brakes from the factory, I'm currently adding power to it. I use my truck for my daily driver and work truck when it's running. I tow with it a good bit and manuvering my trailer around with manual steering is quite a workout! But for normal driving, the manual wasn't too bad, except on really curvy roads.

[special-K]

I agree. Show us pictures so we can see what you have and figure this out. BTW,you're truck isn't cursed. It just needs to be fixed properly. Manual steering is great. The only time you'll miss power steering is parking...turning wheel while sitting still. But,anyone who isn't anemic can turn the wheel. Last I heard a little physical activity does a body good

[HalfTon]

Here is a pic of last nights break and a pic of the pump. I noticed on a factory PS set up that there is a brace the bolts to the engine mount. I dont have that brace, mine just gets bolted down using the two holes on the block. This time, I really dont know if I will be able to get this dang bolt out. I had a nicely drilled hole last night but when I started tapping the extractor bit out the bit broke of inside the hole I drilled in the bolt.

[midniteblues]

with nothing supporting the far back side of that pump the tension/vibration from the belt will keep braking them bolts
It really shouldnt be too hard too fab a bracket that attaches to the engine mount.
I've seen a pic somewhere on this board where a fellow used a craftsman wrench for the bracket.

how bout a wtb thread on the parts board

[GMCJOE]

I agree. If you don't have that support bracket, it will definitely cause undo stress on the bolt and continue to break it off. If you want to get a new power steering bracket, this one is a good choice. Seen it on another thread. Has all the hardware and brackets you need.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/BRG-802400/

[vectorit]

My burb has manual steering, and I have 33x12.50 tires on it.
I actually enjoy the manual set up more so than the power steering on my '70 PU with the same size tires.

[3/4ton72heavychevy]

My 72 c20 has manual steering and I dont have too big of a problem with it, but just curious, what is correct tire pressure to make turning the easiest?

[john]

Was there a bolt in the upper hole? Can't tell from pic.

[Square_78]

I like that trick using the double box end wrench and bending it into a bracket. I had the picture saved and i just found it. It was an alternator bracket, but this gives you an idea of what he did.

(not my pic)

[Coley]

Ok, I'm 95% sure what you have is a material (bolt) fatigue problem due to vibration. This event will fail just about anything that is trying to hold it....unless its rubber. This is why vibration control in equipment is its own special field of expertise.
So you need to make sure all the brackets the guys already mentioned are in place....or a sturdy equivalent. Then you have to check and make sure the power steering pulley is not wildly out of flatness as it runs.
Then, if you have a buddy who has an equivalent truck or set up, check to see how theirs runs and vibrates...watch carefully. Then use that as the datum point for determining if your own is now operating within normal parameters.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Coley

[Coley]

Ok, I'm 95% sure what you have is a material (bolt) fatigue problem due to vibration. This event will fail just about anything that is trying to hold it....unless its rubber. This is why vibration control in equipment is its own special field of expertise.
So you need to make sure all the brackets the guys already mentioned are in place....or a sturdy equivalent. Then you have to check and make sure the power steering pulley is not wildly out of flatness as it runs.
Then, if you have a buddy who has an equivalent truck or set up, check to see how theirs runs and vibrates (minimally)...watch carefully. Then use that as the datum point for determining if your own is now operating within normal parameters.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Coley

OOOPs, sorry for the double post....bit of a computer glitch here....hmmm.

[GASoline71]

Originally Posted by midniteblues

with nothing supporting the far back side of that pump the tension/vibration from the belt will keep braking them bolts
It really shouldnt be too hard too fab a bracket that attaches to the engine mount.

This ^^^

100%...

Gary

[HalfTon]

Well here is an update to the story. Today i bought a manual steering box and it turns out it was the wrong one, I have no idea what car or truck this thing goes to but it certainly doesn't go to a 67-72. It seemed OK when i bought it but when i got home i was looking at the lmc magazine and saw that the steering boxes looked different than the one I had. So now I really need to find a manual steering box and pitman arm ASAP because this is my daily driver and I rely on this thing to get me to school and work 6 days of the week
Posted via Mobile Device

[pdawg]

I know exactly what bracket you are missing cuz I'm fighting to get that motor mount bolt in with the engine in place ( didn't have it blasted and repaired before I put the new motor in - wont make that mistake again!) I'd try and sorce the bracket from the wreckers and try and extract that bolt with a quality extractor. Only buy the good ones for taps & extractors to save yourself lots of grief. Can send you a pic of the bracket if you need it.
Posted via Mobile Device

[firedog]

i have had good luck with my serpentine setup off of a 4.3 v6, you can pick the whole setup from pick and pull or speedway fairly cheap, make sure you get the waterpump alternator, and power steering pump, that is after a fight with bolt that needs to be taken out.