Problem with new PS pump..HELP!!! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

IndyRich · 04-08-2010, 02:25 AM

Edit....Fixed.....Thanks for the input! OK.....so the background is I have a 72 2wd with a 402 BB. Power steering worked but was leaking from the pump all over the place. So I purchased a "new- never used" pump from a board member. I also bought brand new pressure and return lines. So, I installed the pump and line this weekend, filled it with fluid...and .....nothing. I was arm wrestling the steering wheel. So I jacked up the truck with the front wheels off the ground, and turned the wheel lock to lock with the engine running. Checked the fluid level, it was the same.
So I took the lines off one at a time to try to get the air out...still hard as hell to steer.
I know the steering gear is good because it worked with the old pump that leaked.....Suggestions? Any help greatly appreciated!

sourkraut · 04-08-2010, 08:13 AM

just did these same yesterday! i had filled it up and went lock to lock turned the engine over and over without running per directions and nothing. took of the high pressure line and had nothing there at the gearbox. the only way i could get it to build pressure or flow to the box was to start it for a second, turn it of and fill again. i did this maybe 4 times and then went lock to lock to get out any air and boom it was good! hope this helps. i would just make sure you have fluid visible in your pump so you dont burn it up and only let the truck run for a second or two till you know you have most the air out.

Sinister · 04-08-2010, 08:14 AM

When I did mine on my smallblock, I filled the pump up and with the belt off turned the pulley counterclockwise to prime it, as per the manual. Pretty sure it's the same for a bigblock.

Shyguy · 04-08-2010, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sinister

When I did mine on my smallblock, I filled the pump up and with the belt off turned the pulley counterclockwise to prime it, as per the manual. Pretty sure it's the same for a bigblock.

I have done a lot of power steering pumps over the years and have never done it that way. Maybe that is the reason I always had problems getting the pump to work right away.

Thank you for sharing the info.

Danny

Sinister · 04-08-2010, 08:40 AM

I had to double check my Chassis Service Manual to see if I was talking out my a$$. It's in there under PS pump replacement. After you bleed the pump your supposed to raise the wheels and turn them lock to lock like you guys have been doing. I found I didn't have to do that and my Pump worked O.K. just turning the pulley counterclockwise. Probably want to totally bleed the system with a new steering gear though.

Shyguy · 04-08-2010, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sinister

I had to double check my Chassis Service Manual to see if I was talking out my a$$. It's in there under PS pump replacement. After you bleed the pump your supposed to raise the wheels and turn them lock to lock like you guys have been doing. I found I didn't have to do that and my Pump worked O.K. just turning the pulley counterclockwise. Probably want to totally bleed the system with a new steering gear though.

Great information.

Thank you.

Danny

IndyRich · 04-09-2010, 01:43 AM

Thanks everyone for your input.....I went back through the steps today.....bled the system jacked it up and went lock to lock with the engine off and then lowered it. It still didn't work. So I thought I would take a drive. Went about a mile and turned to come home still no PS. I stomped the accelerator and heard a thunk PRESTO! Power Steering! So I'm thinking it had one big air pocket, or the steering gear piston was stuck.

I appreciate the input, thanks everyone.

04-08-2010, 02:25 AM	#1
IndyRich Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 372	Problem with new PS pump..HELP!!! Edit....Fixed.....Thanks for the input! OK.....so the background is I have a 72 2wd with a 402 BB. Power steering worked but was leaking from the pump all over the place. So I purchased a "new- never used" pump from a board member. I also bought brand new pressure and return lines. So, I installed the pump and line this weekend, filled it with fluid...and .....nothing. I was arm wrestling the steering wheel. So I jacked up the truck with the front wheels off the ground, and turned the wheel lock to lock with the engine running. Checked the fluid level, it was the same. So I took the lines off one at a time to try to get the air out...still hard as hell to steer. I know the steering gear is good because it worked with the old pump that leaked.....Suggestions? Any help greatly appreciated! Last edited by IndyRich; 04-09-2010 at 04:35 AM.

04-08-2010, 08:13 AM	#2
sourkraut Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: WI Posts: 1,243	Re: Problem with new PS pump..HELP!!! just did these same yesterday! i had filled it up and went lock to lock turned the engine over and over without running per directions and nothing. took of the high pressure line and had nothing there at the gearbox. the only way i could get it to build pressure or flow to the box was to start it for a second, turn it of and fill again. i did this maybe 4 times and then went lock to lock to get out any air and boom it was good! hope this helps. i would just make sure you have fluid visible in your pump so you dont burn it up and only let the truck run for a second or two till you know you have most the air out. __________________ "The way it is" truck build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=359200

04-08-2010, 08:14 AM	#3
Sinister Between Trucks... Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA. Posts: 3,830	Re: Problem with new PS pump..HELP!!! When I did mine on my smallblock, I filled the pump up and with the belt off turned the pulley counterclockwise to prime it, as per the manual. Pretty sure it's the same for a bigblock. __________________ Beat it to fit, Paint it to match... Last edited by Sinister; 04-08-2010 at 08:17 AM.

04-08-2010, 08:40 AM	#5
Sinister Between Trucks... Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA. Posts: 3,830	Re: Problem with new PS pump..HELP!!! I had to double check my Chassis Service Manual to see if I was talking out my a$$. It's in there under PS pump replacement. After you bleed the pump your supposed to raise the wheels and turn them lock to lock like you guys have been doing. I found I didn't have to do that and my Pump worked O.K. just turning the pulley counterclockwise. Probably want to totally bleed the system with a new steering gear though. __________________ Beat it to fit, Paint it to match... Last edited by Sinister; 04-08-2010 at 08:41 AM.

04-09-2010, 01:43 AM	#7
IndyRich Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 372	Re: Problem with new PS pump..HELP!!! Thanks everyone for your input.....I went back through the steps today.....bled the system jacked it up and went lock to lock with the engine off and then lowered it. It still didn't work. So I thought I would take a drive. Went about a mile and turned to come home still no PS. I stomped the accelerator and heard a thunk PRESTO! Power Steering! So I'm thinking it had one big air pocket, or the steering gear piston was stuck. I appreciate the input, thanks everyone.



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