Just got my 76 back from the trans shop. Drove it for the first time after ground up rebuild. Truck is lowered 3 inches with DJM Kit. Installed new power steering pump and rebuilt power steering unit. It is really hard to steer. I have a 67 fairlane with manual steering When you get going down the road, the Fairlane is a joy to drive. The truck is really tight, and steering is work. Any ideas? Nothing is bent, as most of the suspension is new.

 

fluid cavitating?
plugged?

 

sorry double post

 

When you say you installed a rebuilt power steering unit, are you referring to the steering box, or as it is sometimes called the steering sector?

 

I put in the steering box that is bolted to the frame. I also put in a rebuilt power steering pump (Actually 3. The first one had a defective bearing in the pulley, the second one had a crack in the resirvoir on the pump).

The high pressure and return lines are all new pieces. I don't believe they are plugged.

I don't know what cavitation is.

It feels to me like something in the steering box is too tight. Based on a search of other posts, I am leary of attempting to make any adjustments to it without a bit more information.

 

is the fluid filled properly?

 

Update. started going through Chiton's troubleshooting guide. Checked fluid. It was low (Hard to tell, as I had to modify the dipstick to work on my motor). Added fluid. Turn on motor and turned the wheel. For a split second, the steering was good, then blew the return line. Not at the pump, but at the clamp on the short length of hard line going into the steering box. Thought maybe I reversed the lines, but upon checking, its impossible because the fittings are two different sizes. Re hooked up the hose, refiled with fluid. Started up again, and again blew the same hose in the same spot. Checked for blockage in the hose and line. There was none. Probed the inside of the steering box through the fitting opening with a 6 " plastic tie. No blockage.

 

after filling the pump, (and after repairing the blown line) jack up the front of the truck before turning the wheel, so that there is no resistance on the steering. cycle the wheel lock to lock several times. check fluid and repeat as neccisary.

 

On the agenda for tomorrow. Thanks.

 

Why would you need to modify the dipstick to fit your engine?

That makes no sense, as the dipstick fits into a tube that is part of P/S pump's reservoir.

Maybe this has something to do with it.

1973/79 F100/350: There are TWO different P/S pumps.

1973/77: Steel Reservoir & dipstick.

1978/79: Plastic reservoir and dipstick.

The mounting bracket is different 1973/77 as opposed to 1978/79.

The P/S Pressure Hose is also different as the type used 1978/79 has a straight tube end with a nut and O-ring on it. The tube end is pressed into the fitting on the pump, then the nut is tightened up.

1973/77 is not the same, as the end of the hose's line has a female fitting made as part of the hose that screws directly to the pump.

Witty73: The sector shaft is an internal part of the steering gearbox. This is the piece the Pitman Arm attaches to.

 

This is not a stock motor. It is a 460 with Edelbrock heads, intake, etc. When the powersteering pump was installed, the tube hit on the wiring looms. The only way to use a stock powersteering pump was to trim the tube about a half inch. To keep the dipstick level the same, I trim it accordingly, and remarked it.

 

Thanks for the ideas folks. I think I got it. I need to take it down off the jackstands, but at least I figured out why the hose was blowing. I went ahead and bleed the system. Though it was going well. Alot of air escaping. Started her up, promptly blew the hose from both ends this time.

Reconnected everything. Bleed again. Started her up. This time the hose didn't blow. Why not? This time, I forgot to put the dipstick back in the tube. Upon examining the dipstick, it appears over the years that the rubber stopper had molded itself quite well to the lip. The lid appears that it is supposed to have some space to allow pressure to escape.

Worked the stopper loose, and replaced the dipstick. It didn't blow. Success. Now for the test drive.