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

RAB38 · 07-28-2008, 02:28 PM

Ok I know that I am not the only one running crossover steering with out hydraulic ram assist. I have been having power steering pump problems since I have had my truck back together for the last couple of years. I have a 1 ton power steering pump on the truck from an 89 chevy, and I am running a serpintine set up from GM. I put a oil cooler on it, and just about a week ago the pump went out again. I am not sure why I am having problems but it is becomming very frustrating.

I know I will ultimatley have hydro assist, I am just not ready to shell out another $1000. Driving on the street should not be causing these pumps to go bad.

Any ideas?

70rs/ss · 07-28-2008, 03:12 PM

Couple of questions, could it be that the cross over is over reaching the box and causing excessive pressure? Anyways I have one answer for ya, get it rebuilt and tuned (yeah they can modify the pump) by a shop. I found one in a 4X mag and I am sending them my stock 07 dodge ram 2500 4X gear box and pump and they are going to go through it, modify and blueprint the set-up with a warranty, cheaper than I can buy a new OE one for and it'll be better in the long run. Try AGR or the like in aftermarket steering pieces, I'd just guess you are exceeding the limits of the oe pump with your set-up??

RAB38 · 07-29-2008, 08:50 AM

I spoke to PSC about just replacing the pump with one of thiers and they told me that if I was breaking stock pumps that theirs would break twice as fast. They told me I needed hydraulic ram assist.

I can't believe that I can not keep a pump on this thing

1tonblaze · 07-29-2008, 12:47 PM

what steering box and pit man arm are you useing ?

RAB38 · 07-29-2008, 12:53 PM

I have a new 72 2wd steering box, and i am using a drop pitman arm from offroad design, that came with the cross over steering.

vtblazer · 07-29-2008, 01:45 PM

What's the pulley size?

When I talked with PSC about running a smaller pulley, they told me 'don't do it' it'll burn up the pump.

Can't see why having cross over on should make any difference, did the troubles start when you installed the X-over set up?

RAB38 · 07-29-2008, 02:30 PM

Yes, it started after I restored the truck a few years ago, and at that time I installed the xover steering as well as the serpintine set up. This last pump lasted a little over a year and I thought I had solved the problem. I wonder if it is just the reman pumps I am getting at Car Quest

I am not sure what size the pulley is, I will have to measure when I get home. I am having a hard time believing it is the xover steering causing the problem.

RAB38 · 08-04-2008, 07:50 AM

I pulled the pump off ths weekend and it sheered the shaft off inside the pump. I have no idea what is casuing this. It seems to me that if it is building enough pressure to sheer the shaft it should be going over the relief valve.
Any ideas?????

vtblazer · 08-04-2008, 08:09 AM

Maybe get away from reman pumps, go new this time.

RAB38 · 08-04-2008, 08:38 AM

That is kinda what I was thinking.

70rs/ss · 08-04-2008, 03:28 PM

I have a number here......(818)768-0371 (Lee manufacturing). I read an article in a 4X mag and these guys rebuilt a PS gear box and upgraded some stuff, it is now bullet proof. I am also using them to go through my OE gear box and pump from my 07 Dadge truck as I am having issues with it. They guarentee the work for X # of years. They are like AGR but seem more capable?? Call them up and explain your set-up and issues, they are 4X steering guru's from what I understand, maybe they can fix it or even trouble shoot the cause for ya?? Good Luck!!

07-28-2008, 02:28 PM	#1
RAB38 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 164	power steering issues Ok I know that I am not the only one running crossover steering with out hydraulic ram assist. I have been having power steering pump problems since I have had my truck back together for the last couple of years. I have a 1 ton power steering pump on the truck from an 89 chevy, and I am running a serpintine set up from GM. I put a oil cooler on it, and just about a week ago the pump went out again. I am not sure why I am having problems but it is becomming very frustrating. I know I will ultimatley have hydro assist, I am just not ready to shell out another $1000. Driving on the street should not be causing these pumps to go bad. Any ideas? __________________ 72 Blazer CST 383 stroker roller, fuel inj, t350,NP205, D60 front, 14b rear, detroit locker, 38 x15.50 mtz's, welds, cross over steering, custom cage,Line X Spray in liner, House of Colors Tangelo Pearl Orange

07-28-2008, 03:12 PM	#2
70rs/ss Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,270	Re: power steering issues Couple of questions, could it be that the cross over is over reaching the box and causing excessive pressure? Anyways I have one answer for ya, get it rebuilt and tuned (yeah they can modify the pump) by a shop. I found one in a 4X mag and I am sending them my stock 07 dodge ram 2500 4X gear box and pump and they are going to go through it, modify and blueprint the set-up with a warranty, cheaper than I can buy a new OE one for and it'll be better in the long run. Try AGR or the like in aftermarket steering pieces, I'd just guess you are exceeding the limits of the oe pump with your set-up??

07-29-2008, 08:50 AM	#3
RAB38 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 164	Re: power steering issues I spoke to PSC about just replacing the pump with one of thiers and they told me that if I was breaking stock pumps that theirs would break twice as fast. They told me I needed hydraulic ram assist. I can't believe that I can not keep a pump on this thing __________________ 72 Blazer CST 383 stroker roller, fuel inj, t350,NP205, D60 front, 14b rear, detroit locker, 38 x15.50 mtz's, welds, cross over steering, custom cage,Line X Spray in liner, House of Colors Tangelo Pearl Orange

07-29-2008, 12:47 PM	#4
1tonblaze Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Carroll County Maryland , Posts: 828	Re: power steering issues what steering box and pit man arm are you useing ? __________________ 1970 k/5 blazer--> money pit - 14bolt dana 44 350 sm465/205 36 14.50 16 tires 1972 nova plane jane 6 clyinder might sell might keep dont know 2004 chevy s-10 crewcab zr5 sold 1985 c20 chevy long bed , beater , on its way to a better place in pa from what the dmv told me 2010 kia forte koup 2.4 sx -over the river and threw the woods to the total lot it went . 1999 k1500 suburban 350 vortec 4l60e leather land yacht .

07-29-2008, 12:53 PM	#5
RAB38 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 164	Re: power steering issues I have a new 72 2wd steering box, and i am using a drop pitman arm from offroad design, that came with the cross over steering. __________________ 72 Blazer CST 383 stroker roller, fuel inj, t350,NP205, D60 front, 14b rear, detroit locker, 38 x15.50 mtz's, welds, cross over steering, custom cage,Line X Spray in liner, House of Colors Tangelo Pearl Orange

07-29-2008, 01:45 PM	#6
vtblazer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Vermont Posts: 8,537	Re: power steering issues What's the pulley size? When I talked with PSC about running a smaller pulley, they told me 'don't do it' it'll burn up the pump. Can't see why having cross over on should make any difference, did the troubles start when you installed the X-over set up?

07-29-2008, 02:30 PM	#7
RAB38 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 164	Re: power steering issues Yes, it started after I restored the truck a few years ago, and at that time I installed the xover steering as well as the serpintine set up. This last pump lasted a little over a year and I thought I had solved the problem. I wonder if it is just the reman pumps I am getting at Car Quest I am not sure what size the pulley is, I will have to measure when I get home. I am having a hard time believing it is the xover steering causing the problem. __________________ 72 Blazer CST 383 stroker roller, fuel inj, t350,NP205, D60 front, 14b rear, detroit locker, 38 x15.50 mtz's, welds, cross over steering, custom cage,Line X Spray in liner, House of Colors Tangelo Pearl Orange

08-04-2008, 07:50 AM	#8
RAB38 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 164	Re: power steering issues I pulled the pump off ths weekend and it sheered the shaft off inside the pump. I have no idea what is casuing this. It seems to me that if it is building enough pressure to sheer the shaft it should be going over the relief valve. Any ideas????? __________________ 72 Blazer CST 383 stroker roller, fuel inj, t350,NP205, D60 front, 14b rear, detroit locker, 38 x15.50 mtz's, welds, cross over steering, custom cage,Line X Spray in liner, House of Colors Tangelo Pearl Orange

08-04-2008, 08:09 AM	#9
vtblazer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Vermont Posts: 8,537	Re: power steering issues Maybe get away from reman pumps, go new this time.

08-04-2008, 08:38 AM	#10
RAB38 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 164	Re: power steering issues That is kinda what I was thinking. __________________ 72 Blazer CST 383 stroker roller, fuel inj, t350,NP205, D60 front, 14b rear, detroit locker, 38 x15.50 mtz's, welds, cross over steering, custom cage,Line X Spray in liner, House of Colors Tangelo Pearl Orange

08-04-2008, 03:28 PM	#11
70rs/ss Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,270	Re: power steering issues I have a number here......(818)768-0371 (Lee manufacturing). I read an article in a 4X mag and these guys rebuilt a PS gear box and upgraded some stuff, it is now bullet proof. I am also using them to go through my OE gear box and pump from my 07 Dadge truck as I am having issues with it. They guarentee the work for X # of years. They are like AGR but seem more capable?? Call them up and explain your set-up and issues, they are 4X steering guru's from what I understand, maybe they can fix it or even trouble shoot the cause for ya?? Good Luck!!



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