power steering woes

[standnnawe]

Having some issues with my power steering- it's been leaking since the day I brought it home (6 years ago?), and I've replaced everything in the system...some parts more than once. I think I figured out that I may have wrong brackets and missing the mounting studs causing leaks from the rear mounting holes. On top of that the pulleys are misaligned.

Does anyone know where I might find diagrams that show the original brackets and pulleys - hopefully includes part numbers?

[1rippen6]

What year and 6 cyl or 8? Pictures of your setup may help with figuring the issue out

[franken]

Basically, there are 2 parts to a PS system. The pump and box. You should be able to figure out which one's leaking. You can get a kit for $10 to reseal the pump, and a leaking box should probably be rebuilt.
After that, there are 2 hoses.

[standnnawe]

Thanks for your responses...here's a little more info.

1972 GMC Jimmy 4x4, 350 w/ short water pump. I have what I believe are the original brackets for the power steering pump. I am not certain however, as the engine is a Goodwrench 350 put in sometime in the 90s or early 2000s?

The mounting studs were missing on the back side of the pump, replaced with standard bolts. I wasn't even aware there were supposed to BE studs in place. I haven't (up until this past week) found anyone who could remotely tell me that might be the issue...all I could see what a leak coming from the rear bottom bolt...slowly leaking out after it sat.

Many (MANY) people told me it couldn't be leaking there and informed me it had to be leaking out of the cap, or out of a hose, or somewhere else on the pump, but there was NO WAY it could be leaking from where I said. I should have followed my own knowledge, instead of listening. It IS coming from the bottom bolt, because it's SUPPOSED to be a stud! It probably should have some fiber gasket on it or something...but I'm not finding a lot of information about it.
I've located the studs at classic industries (http://www.classicindustries.com/pro...s/1253573.html), so I'm ordering there...but I'm still looking for a good diagram of the brackets, bolts and pulleys, etc.

If anyone can point me in the right direction, I'd greatly appreciate it.

[Blazerowner]

Get a new reservoir maybe? The pump itself is removable and can be switched into the new reservoir. Also check the return hose to see if the clamp is tight enough or whether the hose is cracking. All these parts are available at the local parts store. Some of the reservoirs are different so take your old one with you. I've seen different angles on the nipple for the return line. One other fix may be to put some tape on the threads but I would think that is last resort. Hope that helps I hate leaks myself.

[kwmech]

Stud or bolt, it doesn't matter. What does is what's behind it. If you remove the reservoir from the pump, you'll find a couple of square cut o-rings that sit into a small recess that the bolts pass through. If the o ring has shifted slightly or moved out of the groove some, it may leak. OR the o ring may not even be there. Other than that it's quite simple. As mentioned you can get a reseal kit for about 10 bucks. Use some vaseline to hold the rings in place, and don't bend or distort the housing/reseroir

[standnnawe]

Not to be difficult, but it does appear to matter if it's a stud or bolt. Without the stud, the rear bracket does not line up correctly and puts uneven pressure on the reservoir. I've not torn the reservoir apart (since it's a reman and would void the warranty) but I am on my 3rd (or possibly 4th pump) now (Rebuilt Cardone) and have replaced all hoses and the steering gear - someone indicated it HAD to be caused by a blocked port making it spew out of the cap even though i couldn't see it. I did check to make sure the Oring seals at the back of the reservoir can were there...and not ripped or distorted.

I know...it shouldn't be that difficult, right?