p/s pump questions

[acl]

putting p.s. on 68 327. have factory pump and box off 70-72 i believe. I am buying rebuilt pumps from o'rielly. I am on the 3rd one and they still whine and catch when turning. Trying one from napa tonight. Can this be a s.box issue? the pump is diffenently the noise maker. Never had prob with a box before. Help anybody????? Gary

[Sinister]

Are you bleeding the pump? I install the pump and fill it up with PS fluid. Before I put the belt on I turn the pulley counterclockwise as per the Chassis Service manual.

[acl]

had not heard that before, will try tonight. Have done this before with no issue must have been lucky Thanks. Gary

[Sinister]

It's in the Chassis Service Manual. After that your supposed to jack up the front end and turn the wheels lock to lock, but I found just bleeding the pump worked all by itself.

[acl]

have done the lock to lock each time, guess i should read the directions huh. Do not let my wife know I just said that, would'nt be good. Thanks again Gary

[acl]

new pump, still have whine and pulse when turning, looking for new steering box now unless someone has another idea. Thanks Gary

[Sinister]

No idea really. Did the truck have PS to begin with? I wonder if it's possible to hook up the pressure and return hoses backwards. Bump for you.

[storm9c1]

Originally Posted by acl

have done the lock to lock each time, guess i should read the directions huh. Do not let my wife know I just said that, would'nt be good. Thanks again Gary

How many time did you do repeat the "lock to lock" cycle? In my experience with any RWD car/truck with a traditional PS gear, sometimes it takes MANY iterations to get all of the tiny bubbles out (30+ cycles), sometimes you need to do some more cycles with the engine running, but the first 30 should be done with no engine power.

Just a little air can really mess things up. Does the fluid look clear or cloudy? Cloudy means small air bubbles.

I'd try it again, and if still no luck, then replace the gear (PS box).

[acl]

no the truck did not have p/s before and i have done the back and forth over100 times. I do have air bubbles still in fluid. I rotated pump w/fluid counterclockwise 20 or 30 times before starting but did not turn wheels before starting.

[68gmsee]

Originally Posted by acl

new pump, still have whine and pulse when turning........... Thanks Gary

I had a steering gear box that did that. Replaced it with one from the junkyard and never had another problem.

[WFAPS]

I had this same problem. The service manual tells you to jack the front of the vehicle off the ground and then start the vehicle and turn the wheels side to side. It solved the whining issue for me. I tried just turning the wheels with it on the ground and that did not work. It had to be jacked up.

[storm9c1]

Originally Posted by WFAPS

I had this same problem. The service manual tells you to jack the front of the vehicle off the ground and then start the vehicle and turn the wheels side to side. It solved the whining issue for me. I tried just turning the wheels with it on the ground and that did not work. It had to be jacked up.

+1

I put the procedure in a more detailed other post somewhere...but front wheels should be off the ground. Steering wheel should be turned lock to lock without engine running 30 times. Then repeat with engine running. Check for foaming or milky fluid. Let sit for at least 10 minutes (or longer) and repeat until fluid is mostly clear. It can be tedious, but necessary.

The reason for the wheels being off the ground is to minimize the load on the pump while you go through complete cycles. More load means the bubbles could cause too much foaming and it will work against you. Less load on the system means the bubbles will have a better chance of working their way to the reservoir without causing foaming or milky fluid.