Power steering question
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
From: Pontotoc, MS
Power steering question
the power steering on my 86 6.9 is not what i thought it should be.
it is easy to turn and feels like actual power steering for about half of the turn then it gets hard. it is also hard to turn if you are in a parking lot. I have found that if I rev the engine i can turn much easier. I have tightened the belt as much I can.
Is the pump itself on it's way out?
it is easy to turn and feels like actual power steering for about half of the turn then it gets hard. it is also hard to turn if you are in a parking lot. I have found that if I rev the engine i can turn much easier. I have tightened the belt as much I can.
Is the pump itself on it's way out?
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,271
Likes: 2
From: Mexia, TX
Just to be sure before you start, check the fluid level and make sure it's where it needs to be (the pump's cap has a built-in dipstick).
After that, check for leaks. Possible places the system can leak are:
- Steering box seals (look for fluid coming out around the box's pitman arm shaft)
- High pressure line from side of pump reservoir to steering box
- Hose fitting connections at either end of aforementioned line
- Low pressure line from steering box to bottom rear of pump reservoir
- Hose fitting connections at either end of aforementioned line
- Where the pump reservoir connects to the pump itself (never seen it leak there, but I think it's possible; couldn't hurt to check)
The low pressure side has a long metal line that runs down along the engine crossmember right in front of where the front suspension beams connect to the frame. Where it comes to the pump, it will probably have a short section of rubber hose connecting the metal line to the pump. This is because the hose allows for engine movement, whereas the metal line wouldn't.
Is the pump noisy? Does it make a groaning or ringing noise when you turn the wheel at low speed? You can try taking the belt off and spinning the pulley by hand; if the pulley or movement of the pump as you turn it feels loose or rough, or you hear any unusual noise, your pump could be worn out, or at least worn.
I'm not familiar with how the PS system is mounted on the diesel trucks, but on my truck's 302, removing the pump and bracket required the removal of three bolts (one into the head, two into the front of the water pump). Some dunderhead removed the AC compressor bracket and put five flat washers in its place, so I didn't have to deal with the AC bracket; if you have AC, you might have to unbolt its bracket and move the compressor aside (as you know, don't unhook it).
I dealt with this same thing earlier this year....my steering box blew a seal and I had to end up changing the box AND the pump. I finally got it working, but then I started having carburetor issues....lol, oh well.
After that, check for leaks. Possible places the system can leak are:
- Steering box seals (look for fluid coming out around the box's pitman arm shaft)
- High pressure line from side of pump reservoir to steering box
- Hose fitting connections at either end of aforementioned line
- Low pressure line from steering box to bottom rear of pump reservoir
- Hose fitting connections at either end of aforementioned line
- Where the pump reservoir connects to the pump itself (never seen it leak there, but I think it's possible; couldn't hurt to check)
The low pressure side has a long metal line that runs down along the engine crossmember right in front of where the front suspension beams connect to the frame. Where it comes to the pump, it will probably have a short section of rubber hose connecting the metal line to the pump. This is because the hose allows for engine movement, whereas the metal line wouldn't.
Is the pump noisy? Does it make a groaning or ringing noise when you turn the wheel at low speed? You can try taking the belt off and spinning the pulley by hand; if the pulley or movement of the pump as you turn it feels loose or rough, or you hear any unusual noise, your pump could be worn out, or at least worn.
I'm not familiar with how the PS system is mounted on the diesel trucks, but on my truck's 302, removing the pump and bracket required the removal of three bolts (one into the head, two into the front of the water pump). Some dunderhead removed the AC compressor bracket and put five flat washers in its place, so I didn't have to deal with the AC bracket; if you have AC, you might have to unbolt its bracket and move the compressor aside (as you know, don't unhook it).
I dealt with this same thing earlier this year....my steering box blew a seal and I had to end up changing the box AND the pump. I finally got it working, but then I started having carburetor issues....lol, oh well.
