reman power steering pump issue

[68c10owner]

Over the weekend I replaced my leaking power steering pump with a reman unit from Autozone. I believe it is a Duralast unit. Anyway, at idle and slow speed the steering is tight and kind of "sticky" for lack of a better word. As I speed up it smooths out and works like it should. My original pump never acted this way. Pretty sure I bled the system completely but guess its possible for air to still be in the system. It was slightly groaning this morning but when I checked the fluid level after dropping the kids at school it was low so I topped it off but that didnt stop the "sticky" steering feel. Is this common with reman pumps? I wanted to get a ACDelco but nobody had one in stock locally and I needed to fix this asap. Just need to know if this is how its going to be or if I might have gotten a faulty pump.

[Dead Parrot]

My Autozone reman is still working fine after 20 or so years. Standard 'sample size of 1 disclaimer'.

If you managed to get some fluid on the pulley or belt, it might be slipping a bit at slow engine speeds. That can cause an odd feel that will go away at higher speeds. Not being tight enough can cause the same thing.

[68c10owner]

Originally Posted by Dead Parrot

My Autozone reman is still working fine after 20 or so years. Standard 'sample size of 1 disclaimer'.

If you managed to get some fluid on the pulley or belt, it might be slipping a bit at slow engine speeds. That can cause an odd feel that will go away at higher speeds. Not being tight enough can cause the same thing.

Its plenty tight but that makes sense about fluid on the pulley. My old pump was leaking from the shaft and the belts and the other pulleys did get fluid on them. I guess the belts are due for replacement anyway so Ill try that and clean the pulleys and see what happens.