my trucks power steering works sometimes but they quits should i replace the hoses put a pump on it i have 3 or 4 other pumps how can i tell if the pump is good off the truck anybody ive driven it onece on the road and its a bear to keep it in my lane what can i do about that anything???????????


curtis

 

If you have the "early" style steering set-up, Change it to the later style, 77-79. If your 77 has the later style linkage, make sure you only use type "F" fluid in the box and pump. They can do strange things if you mix different fluids. Sorry, don't know how to test the pump other than take it to someone who can run it and do a pressure check. Should have 1200psi or so. There is a check valve type thing in the pump and if the fluid is really dirty, this may cause loss of pump output. Unless the hoses leak or are full of sludge, don't think that will effect the steering. If they are, they should be replaced. If you haven't checked all front end components, now would be the time. Wander and bump steer are mostly caused by misalignment, bad bushings for the track bar, radius arms and "C" bushings, and wheel bearings loose. Check the tie rod ends for play or slop. If you have a steering stabilizer, might consider replacing with a fresh unit, they tend to fade when they get older. If you have slop in the box, you can try to adjust. On the later style systems there is a 5/8" nut with a stud sticking out of it in the middle of the top of the box. Loosen the nut, turn the stud(it has a slot)until it bottoms, then back it out about 1/16 turn and hold while locking the nut down. This will remove most of the slop in the box. Also check the steering shaft between the column and the box, these have a rag joint in some and this will go bad after time and get very loose. Also will have a U-joint in the shaft at the column, just another thing to check as these also are not something that many consider. After these checks, if you find nothing afoul, try just changing the fluid, couple of times if you have junk coming out, until it runs clean. If you use the pump hard(larger tyres)the addition of a cooler might be considered. Hardest part is finding a place to mount with air flow, they are cheap, $20 for a single pass with hose clamps mounting tabs ect. Same thing as a tranny/oil cooler except it's for the PS. If Iv'e missed anything hopefully someone else can enlighten us! Good luck, Chuck P.