Power Steering Pump Problem - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Lumpy · 04-05-2002, 07:30 PM

Hi Guys,
I just installed a new power steering pump from Napa in my 67. It seemed to be ok at first but now it is acting weird. If I turn the wheel easy it works alright but not as good as it used to. If I turn the wheel with any force (how you normally would steer) it acts as if it has no power steering at all. Did I just get a bad pump? All the air is out and I have left it on for about 5 days now to see if it would get any better but it hasn't. Any ideas? Thanks...Lumpy

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67 Chevy,Short/Fleet,350,Saginaw 4-Speed,Lowered 4x2,small window,P/S,Edelbrock Intake/Carb,HEI,Gear Drive,Crane Cams 274h
Three Rivers, Ca
Pic at: <A HREF="http://community.webshots.com/album/29068416etoBoEninp
" TARGET=_blank>http://community.webshots.com/album/29068416etoBoEninp
</A>

Scrub · 04-05-2002, 07:43 PM

Mine did the same thing. I think you need to bleed it out. Jack up the front end and move it lock to lock about a bizillion times and swear at it profusely. That is what cured mine. Check the oil after every tirade.

Good luck

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Scrub
70 GMC 1,000,000 + miles
72 K-20 project, 456 Dana60 front, Corp14 rear w/locker, 265R19.5 tires 20-ply. Warn 12k winches both ends, Cross-over steering with raised tie-rod, Powerbox steering, 4500 watt 120-AC power, Air, Hydraulic aux power, 4 inch lift, 5000 lb air-bags both ends.

RipMeyer · 04-05-2002, 07:47 PM

Yup, I just read the manual and thats what it says to do.

REPO1 · 04-05-2002, 07:50 PM

I have found that if you swear lots, as well as break small plants/trees and such, maybe even chase the neibours cat/dog, that can help alot.

------------------
Sylvan Lake, Alberta, Canada

1970 Chevy C20 Custom Camper
#s matching 402BB Turbo 400 trans.
Air conditioning, power steering, manual brakes.
73,600 Original Miles!!
(Add on 2000 more from raod trip!)

Lumpy · 04-05-2002, 08:06 PM

Hehe..well I got the swear part down good. I assume you do it with the engine running correct? I just jacked it up and turned it before starting the engine and boy it sounds like my gearbox had beans for lunch. I would say I have a few air pockets to relieve. Thanks guys..I will continue swearing and turning. Let ya know what happens....Lumpy

Lumpy · 04-05-2002, 09:13 PM

I have been turning lock to lock for about 45 minutes and it is still the same. Did yours make a noise when you turned it and the engine was running. Everyone has told me if you have air in the system it will make a whining noise. Mine makes no noise at all. I am getting ready to whip out the BFH and whack it! Lumpy

RipMeyer · 04-05-2002, 09:45 PM

Is the engine running when you are turning from lock to lock?
The manual says to have it running at 1500 RPM's.

Lumpy · 04-05-2002, 09:47 PM

Rip..I was giving it a little gas probably around 1500. Does thge manual say anything about how long it should take to bleed all the air out? Lumpy

Lumpy · 04-05-2002, 10:01 PM

Does it matter if I used Auto Tranny fluid instead of power steering fluid? I have always used tranny fluid for power steering. Lumpy

Duallie · 04-05-2002, 11:23 PM

I used to use ATF for power steering all of the time, too. Lots cheaper. But I have since learned that PS fluid has much higher load capacity, uh, doesn't get squeezed out so readily. You know, higher impact loading.
After Four Wheeler magazine did a test on a power steering-driven winch and smoked the first coupla pumps with ATF, I was convinced.

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Just as if I knew what I was doin'

RipMeyer · 04-06-2002, 02:28 AM

It says if it will not bleed after a few trials to follow the hydraulic system checks.

Test 1
They use a gauge between pressure side and pump with a shut off valve one the hose side.
all tests are performend at idle and fluid at 150 to 170 deg. Hold streeing wheel against stop and note max pres. 850 to 1000 lb is the specs.

test 2

Sslowly turn valve to off posit and read gauge
QUICKLY reopen valve to avoid pump damage. If indicated pres was not within specs pump is faulty. If it is in specs then it may be assumed that hoses, connections or steering gear is at fault.

I suck at typing so this is not word for word.

Eric

04-05-2002, 07:30 PM	#1
Lumpy 2 tons of fun Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Central, Ca Posts: 194	Power Steering Pump Problem Hi Guys, I just installed a new power steering pump from Napa in my 67. It seemed to be ok at first but now it is acting weird. If I turn the wheel easy it works alright but not as good as it used to. If I turn the wheel with any force (how you normally would steer) it acts as if it has no power steering at all. Did I just get a bad pump? All the air is out and I have left it on for about 5 days now to see if it would get any better but it hasn't. Any ideas? Thanks...Lumpy ------------------ 67 Chevy,Short/Fleet,350,Saginaw 4-Speed,Lowered 4x2,small window,P/S,Edelbrock Intake/Carb,HEI,Gear Drive,Crane Cams 274h Three Rivers, Ca Pic at: <A HREF="http://community.webshots.com/album/29068416etoBoEninp " TARGET=_blank>http://community.webshots.com/album/29068416etoBoEninp </A> __________________ 67 Chevy,Short/Fleet,350,Saginaw 4-Speed,Lowered 4x2,small window,P/S,Edelbrock Intake/Carb,HEI,Gear Drive,Crane Cam 274H Three Rivers, Ca Pics at: http://www.cardomain.com/id/lumpy454

04-05-2002, 07:43 PM	#2
Scrub Collector of rusty Items Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Sisters,Oregon USA Posts: 731	Mine did the same thing. I think you need to bleed it out. Jack up the front end and move it lock to lock about a bizillion times and swear at it profusely. That is what cured mine. Check the oil after every tirade. Good luck ------------------ Scrub 70 GMC 1,000,000 + miles 72 K-20 project, 456 Dana60 front, Corp14 rear w/locker, 265R19.5 tires 20-ply. Warn 12k winches both ends, Cross-over steering with raised tie-rod, Powerbox steering, 4500 watt 120-AC power, Air, Hydraulic aux power, 4 inch lift, 5000 lb air-bags both ends. __________________ Scrub Sisters, Oregon - Home of the Sisters Rodeo. 70 GMC 1,000,000 + miles 72 K-20 project, 456 Dana60 front, Corp14 rear w/locker, 265R19.5 tires 20-ply. Warn 12k winches both ends, Cross-over steering with raised tie-rod, Powerbox steering, 4500 watt 120-AC power, Air, Hydraulic aux power, 4 inch lift, 5000 lb air-bags both ends.

04-05-2002, 07:50 PM	#4
REPO1 Shortbox wanna-be. Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Fort St.John, British Columbia, Canada Posts: 773	I have found that if you swear lots, as well as break small plants/trees and such, maybe even chase the neibours cat/dog, that can help alot. ------------------ Sylvan Lake, Alberta, Canada 1970 Chevy C20 Custom Camper #s matching 402BB Turbo 400 trans. Air conditioning, power steering, manual brakes. 73,600 Original Miles!! (Add on 2000 more from raod trip!) __________________ 1970 Chevy C20 Custom Camper 402BB Turbo 400 trans. (Slowly becoming a '70 shortbox 1/2 ton) '71 Camaro SS 402/T400 resto '97 Z28 (11.41@127MPH)

04-05-2002, 08:06 PM	#5
Lumpy 2 tons of fun Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Central, Ca Posts: 194	Hehe..well I got the swear part down good. I assume you do it with the engine running correct? I just jacked it up and turned it before starting the engine and boy it sounds like my gearbox had beans for lunch. I would say I have a few air pockets to relieve. Thanks guys..I will continue swearing and turning. Let ya know what happens....Lumpy __________________ 67 Chevy,Short/Fleet,350,Saginaw 4-Speed,Lowered 4x2,small window,P/S,Edelbrock Intake/Carb,HEI,Gear Drive,Crane Cam 274H Three Rivers, Ca Pics at: http://www.cardomain.com/id/lumpy454

04-05-2002, 09:13 PM	#6
Lumpy 2 tons of fun Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Central, Ca Posts: 194	I have been turning lock to lock for about 45 minutes and it is still the same. Did yours make a noise when you turned it and the engine was running. Everyone has told me if you have air in the system it will make a whining noise. Mine makes no noise at all. I am getting ready to whip out the BFH and whack it! Lumpy __________________ 67 Chevy,Short/Fleet,350,Saginaw 4-Speed,Lowered 4x2,small window,P/S,Edelbrock Intake/Carb,HEI,Gear Drive,Crane Cam 274H Three Rivers, Ca Pics at: http://www.cardomain.com/id/lumpy454

04-05-2002, 07:47 PM	#3
RipMeyer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Southern New Mexico Posts: 649	Yup, I just read the manual and thats what it says to do.

04-05-2002, 09:45 PM	#7
RipMeyer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Southern New Mexico Posts: 649	Is the engine running when you are turning from lock to lock? The manual says to have it running at 1500 RPM's.

04-05-2002, 09:47 PM	#8
Lumpy 2 tons of fun Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Central, Ca Posts: 194	Rip..I was giving it a little gas probably around 1500. Does thge manual say anything about how long it should take to bleed all the air out? Lumpy __________________ 67 Chevy,Short/Fleet,350,Saginaw 4-Speed,Lowered 4x2,small window,P/S,Edelbrock Intake/Carb,HEI,Gear Drive,Crane Cam 274H Three Rivers, Ca Pics at: http://www.cardomain.com/id/lumpy454

04-05-2002, 10:01 PM	#9
Lumpy 2 tons of fun Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Central, Ca Posts: 194	Does it matter if I used Auto Tranny fluid instead of power steering fluid? I have always used tranny fluid for power steering. Lumpy __________________ 67 Chevy,Short/Fleet,350,Saginaw 4-Speed,Lowered 4x2,small window,P/S,Edelbrock Intake/Carb,HEI,Gear Drive,Crane Cam 274H Three Rivers, Ca Pics at: http://www.cardomain.com/id/lumpy454

04-05-2002, 11:23 PM	#10
Duallie Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Nikiski, Alaska Posts: 477	I used to use ATF for power steering all of the time, too. Lots cheaper. But I have since learned that PS fluid has much higher load capacity, uh, doesn't get squeezed out so readily. You know, higher impact loading. After Four Wheeler magazine did a test on a power steering-driven winch and smoked the first coupla pumps with ATF, I was convinced. ------------------ Just as if I knew what I was doin' __________________ Just as if I knew what I was doin'

04-06-2002, 02:28 AM	#11
RipMeyer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Southern New Mexico Posts: 649	It says if it will not bleed after a few trials to follow the hydraulic system checks. Test 1 They use a gauge between pressure side and pump with a shut off valve one the hose side. all tests are performend at idle and fluid at 150 to 170 deg. Hold streeing wheel against stop and note max pres. 850 to 1000 lb is the specs. test 2 Sslowly turn valve to off posit and read gauge QUICKLY reopen valve to avoid pump damage. If indicated pres was not within specs pump is faulty. If it is in specs then it may be assumed that hoses, connections or steering gear is at fault. I suck at typing so this is not word for word. Eric



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