power steering noise - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Joe T · 05-18-2008, 05:57 AM

i just added power steering to my truck. i think i primed the gearbox fine, but my problem is when i turn the wheel all the way to the left or right, it makes a squeaking sound. doesn't sound right. also, this was a used gearbox and pump and the fluid is milky white (i put almost a quart of new fluid in after installed). should i flush the system? if so, how would i do this without burning out the gearbox?

**WorkinLonghorn** · 05-18-2008, 06:12 AM

The squeal is normal and is I believe,the fluid being forced at great pressure past the relief valve when there is no more movement in the steering.
I wouldn't worry too much about the fluid until after a couple weeks.Probably just a little air in it..

Joe T · 05-18-2008, 06:29 AM

thanks. i havent driven it yet. hopefully it works out ok.

**WorkinLonghorn** · 05-18-2008, 06:50 AM

Also,if the belt isn't tight enough it will slip on the pulley and squeal when you turn all the way to the stops.
If you have a bunch of questionable fluid in there just siphon or suction it out or I guess you could loosen a hose and drain it that way.

carpainter · 08-09-2009, 04:57 PM

I have a similar problem After about 4 years of pushing my truck around the shop while doing the body work, I finally finished it and started driving it. At first the power steering made a little bit of noise so I added fluid. Now it makes noise every time I turn the wheel. The type of noise power steering makes when you turn the wheel all the way to the limit. By the way, some of that pushing around the shop was with the engine out and the power steering not hooked up. Could there be air in the system and is there a way to bleed the air out?

mclairmo · 08-10-2009, 07:09 PM

Noise at full lock is normal, milky white fluid is not.

Sammy · 08-11-2009, 01:15 AM

Milky white fluid is water mixed inside. I just installed a rebuilt gear box myself after it quit going to the left. In the instructions it says to flush the system is to disconnect the return line hose and keep filling the pump till you flushed the system. in your case I would drain all the fluid refill it, bleed and repeat it till the fluid isn't milky. Additionally remove the pressure line, the fitting behind it, the valve with spring. Blow air thru the valve so the small screen is clean on the bottom of the valve. Any restrictions in this screen will hamper it's performance greatly. Noise at the stops is normal indicating your pump is working with adequate pressure.

carpainter · 08-12-2009, 09:35 AM

How do you bleed the air from the system?

05-18-2008, 05:57 AM	#1
Joe T Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Pa Posts: 50	power steering noise i just added power steering to my truck. i think i primed the gearbox fine, but my problem is when i turn the wheel all the way to the left or right, it makes a squeaking sound. doesn't sound right. also, this was a used gearbox and pump and the fluid is milky white (i put almost a quart of new fluid in after installed). should i flush the system? if so, how would i do this without burning out the gearbox?

05-18-2008, 06:12 AM	#2
WorkinLonghorn Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Studio City, Calif. Posts: 2,861	Re: power steering noise The squeal is normal and is I believe,the fluid being forced at great pressure past the relief valve when there is no more movement in the steering. I wouldn't worry too much about the fluid until after a couple weeks.Probably just a little air in it.. __________________ '69 GMC C2500 Custom Camper, 8 1/2' bed, New GM 350, NP 435 Close Ratio 4spd. Trans., 3.73 Dana-60 open.Camper and Trailer wiring, PS, PB, AC, tach , three gas tanks, 2nd owner, Work-Truck supreme. Best $300 I ever spent.

05-18-2008, 06:29 AM	#3
Joe T Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Pa Posts: 50	Re: power steering noise thanks. i havent driven it yet. hopefully it works out ok.

05-18-2008, 06:50 AM	#4
WorkinLonghorn Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Studio City, Calif. Posts: 2,861	Re: power steering noise Also,if the belt isn't tight enough it will slip on the pulley and squeal when you turn all the way to the stops. If you have a bunch of questionable fluid in there just siphon or suction it out or I guess you could loosen a hose and drain it that way. __________________ '69 GMC C2500 Custom Camper, 8 1/2' bed, New GM 350, NP 435 Close Ratio 4spd. Trans., 3.73 Dana-60 open.Camper and Trailer wiring, PS, PB, AC, tach , three gas tanks, 2nd owner, Work-Truck supreme. Best $300 I ever spent.

08-09-2009, 04:57 PM	#5
carpainter Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Zanesfield Ohio Posts: 119	Re: power steering noise I have a similar problem After about 4 years of pushing my truck around the shop while doing the body work, I finally finished it and started driving it. At first the power steering made a little bit of noise so I added fluid. Now it makes noise every time I turn the wheel. The type of noise power steering makes when you turn the wheel all the way to the limit. By the way, some of that pushing around the shop was with the engine out and the power steering not hooked up. Could there be air in the system and is there a way to bleed the air out? __________________ Robert Newland Auto Collision Instructor ASE Certified Auto Collision PPG Certified Automotive Painter 1971 Chevy C10 Short Bed 350 Four Bolt Main / 350 Turbo

08-10-2009, 07:09 PM	#6
mclairmo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Take Off Posts: 1,908	Re: power steering noise Noise at full lock is normal, milky white fluid is not.

08-11-2009, 01:15 AM	#7
Sammy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Bonne Terre, Mo Posts: 3,005	Re: power steering noise Milky white fluid is water mixed inside. I just installed a rebuilt gear box myself after it quit going to the left. In the instructions it says to flush the system is to disconnect the return line hose and keep filling the pump till you flushed the system. in your case I would drain all the fluid refill it, bleed and repeat it till the fluid isn't milky. Additionally remove the pressure line, the fitting behind it, the valve with spring. Blow air thru the valve so the small screen is clean on the bottom of the valve. Any restrictions in this screen will hamper it's performance greatly. Noise at the stops is normal indicating your pump is working with adequate pressure. __________________ '69 Chevy Long Fleet & '71 GMC Short Step & Project "ODD BALL" "You can wash a pig, soak it in most expensive perfume. In the end it is still just a pig." ODD BALL build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=478629"

08-12-2009, 09:35 AM	#8
carpainter Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Zanesfield Ohio Posts: 119	Re: power steering noise How do you bleed the air from the system? __________________ Robert Newland Auto Collision Instructor ASE Certified Auto Collision PPG Certified Automotive Painter 1971 Chevy C10 Short Bed 350 Four Bolt Main / 350 Turbo



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