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I inherited my Dad's 56 ford truck with a 383 stroker in it, done well. The power steering unit has issues at low rpms, turns very hard and surging. I assume this is like usual time to rebuild the pump. I checked the fluid, good level, looks new, not burnt. It is a saginaw pump with a chrome cover and not one single part number, stamp or anything. If there is a lot of guys using these units, is there a rebuild kit for a standard saginaw power steering pump since I don't have a P/N or application/year?
Update - checking Summit racing it looks to be a March performance or Summit brand GM saginaw. I will chase it more tomorrow but any advice helps. Maybe both those models take a standard rebuild kit??
Are you sure its the pump and not the rack? If it is just at low speeds, could a smaller pully work?
I was curious about the pulley size too, it's basically a SB chevy. I would assume that was all calculated. It does not have a rack, rather a standard power steering unit with a pitman arm.
Belt tight enough ? Is this a problem that just started or something that you have discovered since you inherited it ?
The truck sat for about 18 months during probate and the one or two short drives around here I didn't notice it (3 miles round tripish). Noticeable now with trips to a town 15 miles away. I did tighten the belt quite tight and it does have a solid pair of adjustment arms, I think any tighter it too tight, seen some guys wreck some alternator bearings that way.
I did find in a pile of receipts that my dad did take it to a mom and pop local repair shop for airbags and some other work and it does list "power steering" on the receipt for $175. So I think I need to see if they remember this, the guy knows my dad, and see what they did as that is about the price of a pump from Summit. The guy who built this truck died which is how my dad got the truck and now he is gone. Kinda sucks but it's not rocket science and lots of smart people on this. Thanks
If the pump was recently replaced and the issue started after that, it's possible they didn't get all of the air bled out of the system. Air in the system will make growly noises and jerkyness or "catching" in steering. You might try jacking the front of the truck up with the wheels off the ground, start the engine and move the steering wheel back and forth, lock to lock, slowly, several times, and see if that helps. You might check for foamy looking fluid in the reservoir, too. That could also be an indication.
If the pump was recently replaced and the issue started after that, it's possible they didn't get all of the air bled out of the system. Air in the system will make growly noises and jerkyness or "catching" in steering. You might try jacking the front of the truck up with the wheels off the ground, start the engine and move the steering wheel back and forth, lock to lock, slowly, several times, and see if that helps. You might check for foamy looking fluid in the reservoir, too. That could also be an indication.
Thanks, I did replace the starter bolts today with the proper length and while I had the front up, I did run the steering lock to lock without it running about 20 times, bad weather today so I will test it another day.
kdxyardsale , Did you figure out the power steering problem? I am having the same problem . Dean
Due to the location of the steering box and the headers, it turned out to be a heat issue. I wrapped the headers as much as I did not want to, but they look pretty good. I did have to replace the pump as I believe the extended heat cycles effected it. I did find some synthetic power steering fluid. I have driven it several trips of 30 minutes and the issue is gone, It does not get so hot now that I cannot hold my hand on the steering box or pump like before. I have since remove the foil from the steering box as it is not needed. Not sure if that helps you out.
kdxyardsale, thanks for the reply. I still have factory exhaust. I Jacked it up and turned the wheel lock to lock a bunch and it seems to have helped but I have done it before and it came back. I am thinking I am getting air in system somewhere. Thanks Dean
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