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

04Xrider · 11-12-2007, 09:37 AM

I posted this on the suspension forum, but thought I would try here also. Hoping someone can help me out here. I just finished converting my 66 c-10, to power steering. I am using a 1984 gearbox, and a 1990 rebuilt pump. Problem is that the steering seems a little sticky. It turns very smooth and easy, with very little play if any. It does return somewhat after a turn, but on straight driving it is pretty sticky, as I can turn the steering wheel and it will stay pretty much where I put it. It is sorta a bother when traveling because when you try to compensate for a little drift, I sort of end up Sig sagging down the road. It was not doing that before the swap. Could there be something wrong with the gearbox. With the truck jacked up and engine off, the steering is very hard in the netrual position, but about one turn of the wheel either direction and it gets easy. I know many of you probably have a 1981-87 truck, and could tell me if that is normal behavior for that piticular gearbox.
Any help would be very much appreciated.

**old Rusty C10** · 11-12-2007, 03:11 PM

no its not normal.. sounds to me like there may be air in your system ..Is the fluid level right and did you make sure your lines are good ? Im not certain if the pump and box are compatible thats something you have to ask the experts here but the rest is normal power steering quick fixes when they act up and usually the most obvious

04Xrider · 11-12-2007, 08:29 PM

Well I just went and bought a rebuilt box. I guess I still came out all right since the core charge was $85.00 and I paid $65.oo for the used gearbox.

04Xrider · 11-13-2007, 11:41 AM

It was yhe gearbox. Some times it does not pay to try and save money

11-12-2007, 09:37 AM	#1
04Xrider Registered thread killer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Cookson, OK. Posts: 349	Sticky power steering? I posted this on the suspension forum, but thought I would try here also. Hoping someone can help me out here. I just finished converting my 66 c-10, to power steering. I am using a 1984 gearbox, and a 1990 rebuilt pump. Problem is that the steering seems a little sticky. It turns very smooth and easy, with very little play if any. It does return somewhat after a turn, but on straight driving it is pretty sticky, as I can turn the steering wheel and it will stay pretty much where I put it. It is sorta a bother when traveling because when you try to compensate for a little drift, I sort of end up Sig sagging down the road. It was not doing that before the swap. Could there be something wrong with the gearbox. With the truck jacked up and engine off, the steering is very hard in the netrual position, but about one turn of the wheel either direction and it gets easy. I know many of you probably have a 1981-87 truck, and could tell me if that is normal behavior for that piticular gearbox. Any help would be very much appreciated. __________________ !966 stepside, 350 SB, ZZ-4 roller, Crane roller rockers, 0.030 flat tops, airgap intake, 750 Holley, stainless steel headers, edelbrock SDT mufflers, Mark 8 elec fan, 700R-4, column shift

11-12-2007, 03:11 PM	#2
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,310	Re: Sticky power steering? no its not normal.. sounds to me like there may be air in your system ..Is the fluid level right and did you make sure your lines are good ? Im not certain if the pump and box are compatible thats something you have to ask the experts here but the rest is normal power steering quick fixes when they act up and usually the most obvious __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!! Last edited by old Rusty C10; 11-12-2007 at 03:12 PM.

11-12-2007, 08:29 PM	#3
04Xrider Registered thread killer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Cookson, OK. Posts: 349	Re: Sticky power steering? Well I just went and bought a rebuilt box. I guess I still came out all right since the core charge was $85.00 and I paid $65.oo for the used gearbox. __________________ !966 stepside, 350 SB, ZZ-4 roller, Crane roller rockers, 0.030 flat tops, airgap intake, 750 Holley, stainless steel headers, edelbrock SDT mufflers, Mark 8 elec fan, 700R-4, column shift

11-13-2007, 11:41 AM	#4
04Xrider Registered thread killer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Cookson, OK. Posts: 349	Re: Sticky power steering? It was yhe gearbox. Some times it does not pay to try and save money __________________ !966 stepside, 350 SB, ZZ-4 roller, Crane roller rockers, 0.030 flat tops, airgap intake, 750 Holley, stainless steel headers, edelbrock SDT mufflers, Mark 8 elec fan, 700R-4, column shift

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