Power Steering Question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**tim71** · 09-03-2017, 01:41 PM

Restoring my 71K1500. New steering gear box and new power steering pump. With front wheels off ground the steering will turn right easily and smoothly, but when you turn left it is hard to do and pump starts groaning. Fluid level is at cold mark when fluid is cold. I've went lock to lock several times, but not sure if system is bled 100%. Pump has boiled out some fluid but I think I might have overfilled originally, wasn't sure how much new gear box would need. Any ideas?

mike16 · 09-03-2017, 05:00 PM

do you feel any mechanical binding in the steering wheel when rotating it from left to right when the engine is off? even new/rebuilt box's can be deffective. did you center the box along with centering the wheels?

I cant think of anything else but to continue to bleed the system. maybe thats all thats wrong

**AussieinNC** · 09-03-2017, 05:09 PM

Have seen this before...its usually a bad seal on the shuttle in the steering box...bypass full assist pressure and usually blows oil out of pump...

You can try bleeding it, but the box may need to be exchanged...

Do you have the old one still to swap in and check ?

**tim71** · 09-03-2017, 06:02 PM

No, unfortunately old one went as core when I bought this one. Set the truck down and tested and steering won't work in either direction without a lot of force. Slight turning of wheel made pump start to groan and chatter. Turned off engine and a liitle fluid boiled out of pump resevoir. Sad part is, I put new steering box on frame when there was only a naked engine on frame, now the truck is about 90% complete from cab forward. You just don't expect this kind of problem when everything is new.

**57taskforce** · 09-03-2017, 06:50 PM

It's pricy but redhead sells a high quality box, definitely superior to the auto parts chain stores.

**AussieinNC** · 09-03-2017, 08:08 PM

What pump did you put on the truck?

Did you have to change out the pressure bypass fitting and spring?

You can change out the box easily by removing the inner fender ...

But yes...it is a PITA...

toolboxchev · 09-04-2017, 04:14 AM

Jack the front end up in the air and turn to lock at least 10 times. If I missed that. Never mind I need to go to sleep.

09-03-2017, 01:41 PM	#1
tim71 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Brownsburg, IN Posts: 1,109	Power Steering Question Restoring my 71K1500. New steering gear box and new power steering pump. With front wheels off ground the steering will turn right easily and smoothly, but when you turn left it is hard to do and pump starts groaning. Fluid level is at cold mark when fluid is cold. I've went lock to lock several times, but not sure if system is bled 100%. Pump has boiled out some fluid but I think I might have overfilled originally, wasn't sure how much new gear box would need. Any ideas? __________________ 1972 Blazer Highlander 1971 GMC K1500 SWB (sold) 2004 Corvette Z06 CE

09-03-2017, 05:00 PM	#2
mike16 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: bisbee, arizona Posts: 1,530	Re: Power Steering Question do you feel any mechanical binding in the steering wheel when rotating it from left to right when the engine is off? even new/rebuilt box's can be deffective. did you center the box along with centering the wheels? I cant think of anything else but to continue to bleed the system. maybe thats all thats wrong

09-03-2017, 05:09 PM	#3
AussieinNC Moderator Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 2,204	Re: Power Steering Question Have seen this before...its usually a bad seal on the shuttle in the steering box...bypass full assist pressure and usually blows oil out of pump... You can try bleeding it, but the box may need to be exchanged... Do you have the old one still to swap in and check ?

09-03-2017, 06:02 PM	#4
tim71 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Brownsburg, IN Posts: 1,109	Re: Power Steering Question No, unfortunately old one went as core when I bought this one. Set the truck down and tested and steering won't work in either direction without a lot of force. Slight turning of wheel made pump start to groan and chatter. Turned off engine and a liitle fluid boiled out of pump resevoir. Sad part is, I put new steering box on frame when there was only a naked engine on frame, now the truck is about 90% complete from cab forward. You just don't expect this kind of problem when everything is new. __________________ 1972 Blazer Highlander 1971 GMC K1500 SWB (sold) 2004 Corvette Z06 CE

09-03-2017, 06:50 PM	#5
57taskforce All about them K’s Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Entrapment Posts: 6,512	Re: Power Steering Question It's pricy but redhead sells a high quality box, definitely superior to the auto parts chain stores. __________________ Tyler '57 3100 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=813888 '72 K20 Cheyenne: 5” lift, 35’s, front dana 60 blah blah blah… http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=662879 ‘69 K10 SWB: 4” lift 33”s… in a million pieces http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=805206 '98 Silverado LT K2500HD ECLB Vortec 454/4l80E: 6" lift 35x12.5x20’s

09-03-2017, 08:08 PM	#6
AussieinNC Moderator Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 2,204	Re: Power Steering Question What pump did you put on the truck? Did you have to change out the pressure bypass fitting and spring? You can change out the box easily by removing the inner fender ... But yes...it is a PITA...

09-04-2017, 04:14 AM	#7
toolboxchev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: 2nd left past the stump on a dirt road. Posts: 2,629	Re: Power Steering Question Jack the front end up in the air and turn to lock at least 10 times. If I missed that. Never mind I need to go to sleep.

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