Signs of a bad P/S gear box

[Sammy]

I had previously done a frame off on the GMC. Since then I had always noticed that turning the steering wheel to the left it was just slightly harder than to the right. And as time went on it got to the point that the feel got stiffer as time went on. Not knowing if I was fighting air or a bad pump. I just lived with it. Recently I changed to a serp setup and susquently changed the P/S pump it self. And noticed just a slight improvement but still not quite right. Then after about a week I was driving pulling into a driveway (10 MPH). The gearbox locked up to the left completely. Matter of fact only movement to the left was less than 1/4 turn to the left. Luckly I wasn't doing 50 or something. I have since removed the gearbox and installing a replacement. I had never heard of this type of complete failure. Usually just a cracked case or leak. Just thought I'd pass this info along in case anyone was having similar symptoms with their power steering. This could have caused a serious accident especially since it just went from difficult turning (above normal) in one direction to a complete failure in a short period of time. Grand total of miles driven from assy to complete failure was less than 1,000 miles.

[BCOWANWHEELS]

time for a new steering box....

[mclairmo]

never seen that before, thanks for the tip

[UltraBlue71]

yikes! like you said at least you werent hauling a-- down the the highway when it decided to quit...

[Sammy]

Replaced the gear box today. Since the box was dry, it was very difficult to purge the system of air. I have replaced the pump and bled them which can be a pain but bleeding the entire system was much more time consuming. Bright side is that it now steers to left. The old box after removal didn't rattle and still didn't go past straight ahead. I assume something was lodged in the worm gear. (Ball bearing possibly)

[BCOWANWHEELS]

I ALWAYS JACK UP THE COMPLETE FRONT end and start the engine and turn steering wheel 5-6 times lock to lock to remove air. works for me.

[Beefcake]

i just had mine rebuilt for $150.

[Sammy]

I had my jacked up also. For about an hr I went from stop to stop. Even bled the lines at the gear box. It wasn't till I took it for a ahort drive that it hinted of being power steering again.
And a rebuilt box was about the same price $140.

[El Jay]

Thanks for the heads up on your problem.
That's 1 of them things ya just want to store in the back of your ol' noggin.

[Sammy]

Update and or food for thought. After the replacement of the gear box and having difficulty belleding the system I noticed how un like P/S the response was. Found out if you remove the pressure line on the pump and remove the fitting. Behind the fitting are several key componets. A spring and valve assy. This valve on mine was lodged sideways and stuck inside. With a little jiggle removed the valve and spring. On the tail side of the valve is a small screen. It was stopped up with a small piece of thread tape or something. Blew it out with air, reinstalled it works better than new if it's possible..So if your P/S get sluggish this would be an easy thing to remove clean the screen out. The screen is really small. You will have to look closely to see it's even there. Smaller than the diameter of a pencil eraser. Imagine after several years it would gather some debri, and not much to clog that screen anyway.