Power Steering Pulley

[JOJABOY]

Anyone ever put a larger power steering pulley on their truck to underdrive the pump and improve steering wheel response?

[Hawghauler]

I haven't done it, and I don't see how it would help. I've put larger pulleys on mopar alternators when they've had high revving built engines before. They had a real problem with that in the 70's. I can even see over driving it with a smaller pulley, but really, if it's not working well enough the best thing would probably be to rebuild it or replace it. I haven't rebuilt a pump yet, but I understand that it's not too complicated or difficult. I've rebuilt half a dozen hydraboost brake boosters with success, and found them to be rather easy to rebuild. Pumps are next because the new GMC's over work their power steering pumps to make the hydraboosts work.
If you try it, let us know the results. It might be an interesting experience.

[68shortfleet]

Might research changing the shim pack in the pressure valve on the back of the pump. I know it can be done, just don't have any first hand experience with it to share with you.

There is actually an article about this in one of the classic truck magazines this month, but they are doing it to a new style pump. Same idea applies though.

[JOJABOY]

Power Steering pump works fine. Too good I guess is the better statement. I can steer with a pinky finger. I'm looking for more responsiveness when driving highway speeds. I figured a larger pulley would slow the rotations on the pump and slow the power steering to a more responsive handling. Seems simpler than trying to change the caster or trying to dumb down the pressure by changing springs, valves or filtering.

[luvbowties]

Originally Posted by JOJABOY

Power Steering pump works fine. Too good I guess is the better statement. I can steer with a pinky finger. I'm looking for more responsiveness when driving highway speeds. I figured a larger pulley would slow the rotations on the pump and slow the power steering to a more responsive handling. Seems simpler than trying to change the caster or trying to dumb down the pressure by changing springs, valves or filtering.

Change the power steering gear to the lesser-turns-ratio? I did that to my 1966 and then went back and adjusted to much more caster--iirc, aligned it to '87 specs, maybe a tad more caster than even the '87. Each change improved the feel. Really handles well now.
sam

[JOJABOY]

where did you find info on lesser-turns steering gears? i don't know much about the way it works so wouldn't know what i had right now or what to look for. (i guess)

[luvbowties]

Originally Posted by JOJABOY

where did you find info on lesser-turns steering gears? i don't know much about the way it works so wouldn't know what i had right now or what to look for. (i guess)

Simply count the # of turns it takes the steering wheel to turn from extreme left to extreme right. (...or vice-versa...) You'll find there are 2 different ratios: one taking like 4.75 turns, lock-to-lock; and 2nd one taking like 3.25 turns. Likely you have the one with greater turns, making it too easy to steer; you should get much better feel from the one with lesser turns.

You have adjusted the worm gear, haven't you? Sometimes too little engagement can make it too sensitive, slop-wise. Ironically, too deep engagement makes it too sensitive, causing it to wanna keep going too far in direction you just turned it.

HTH,
Sam

[JOJABOY]

Originally Posted by luvbowties

Simply count the # of turns it takes the steering wheel to turn from extreme left to extreme right. (...or vice-versa...) You'll find there are 2 different ratios: one taking like 4.75 turns, lock-to-lock; and 2nd one taking like 3.25 turns. Likely you have the one with greater turns, making it too easy to steer; you should get much better feel from the one with lesser turns.

You have adjusted the worm gear, haven't you? Sometimes too little engagement can make it too sensitive, slop-wise. Ironically, too deep engagement makes it too sensitive, causing it to wanna keep going too far in direction you just turned it.

HTH,
Sam

I'm just curious. Was looking to tighten it up a little for highway driving. I don't think I want to get into swapping out steering gears. Was just looking for something simple. I have adjusted my worm gear to where there's no "play" in the steering wheel.

I'm leaning towards an adjustable valve from Brothers to go on the lines to let some of the pressure off or maybe just have an alignment shop work the caster as far as they can to tighten it up just bit.

I don't want to lower my truck any and just want the stock 3/4 ton height to handle as best as possible.