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77 Jimmy Steering Problems

F

Flying 77 Jimmy

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Milwaukee
Hello everyone, I just recently purchased a '77 Jimmy. I'm new to wheeling trucks and don't know much about this particular truck because the seller didn't know anything. I've got some questions and need some help with what to do to fix my steering issues. It screeches when turning while stopped. The PS fluid is topped off, belt seems ok. No noticeable leaks. I'm running 33x12.50's BFG MT's. Approx 6" lift. Suggestions for PS pump replacements are welcome and also gearbox replacements. I am aware of AGR but would like to keep thing as cheap as possible but still reliable for the setup I've got.

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Additional Belt? There's a second pulley that seems to line up. Could I add a second belt and would it help anything?

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The 2nd belt is/was for the a/c, shouldn't matter.

Tighten the belt and or replace it. Sitting still is a lot of stress on the pump anyway
 
I have checked the belt, it seems ok. I think I need to add some info here. I was wondering what part number pumps/gearboxes or make model pump/gearbox would best fit my application? Will a new factory pump work fine with this tire size? Is there a 1 ton or 3/4 model that will bolt up that works better? Info like that.
 
Factory pump is fine. If you don't think it's the belt replace the pump. My napa pump is fine or a delco. It's going to squeal when your at full turn.
 
Replace them he belt with a high quality belt. Assuming pulleys are aligned and pump is figuring I have had a truck that's unless it was goodyear belt on the PS it squeeled
 
Make sure nothing is seizing up or binding like ball joints,tie rod ends,and if it has a steering stabilizer shock,see that its not seizing up too...grease everything up well and see if there is any improvement..

The pump should be putting out sufficient pressure if it squeals the belt when you put it under a load..a weak one would just moan and groan instead of slipping the belt..one belt should be sufficient,most vehicles have only one P/S belt and ones with two with A/C just use the P/S pump pulley as an idler,more than gain any extra "power" from it really...
If the pressure hose was collapsing internally it can cause hard steering and squealing,its uncommon for that to happen though...the steering box itself could be worn internally,but that too isn't very common,usually they'll leak and have lots of slop before that happens..
 
Update

I decided to change the belts. They were cracked and old. The squeal stopped but now the steering hangs up temporarily when going lock to lock while sitting still. So I bought a pump and changed it. I thought I got the wrong pump because my pulley just slid on by hand. I tried another with the same result. Turns out my pulley bore is worn, which is why (see pictures) the previous owner drilled a hole and installed a cotter pin. I'm not sure how the cotter didn't shear. So had to get a pulley. What a pain, regular ole pulleys are not easy to come by and billet pulleys are more expensive than the pump. SHAKING MY HEAD! Hopefully this will be the end.
 
Dorman now makes / sells some P/S pulleys...I usually just get a complete pump off a boneyard engine--but many newer vehicles are arranged so you must pull off the pulley,to get the pump off the bracket..crappy setup IMO..
 
Something else to check although unlikely it is simple and quick to check. Jack up both tires in the front, unlock the steering on the column and see if you can turn the tires left to right and so forth. I seriously doubt that a ball joint is froze but I have seen crazier.

It is possible that the stock pump just has become weak also, although unlikely.

I have a AGR box in one of my K5, it will squeal the pump at full lock if you still try to turn, I know because my daughter still tries to turn it more, kids.
 
Latest News on the Steering!

It seems that this project has successfully ended. No more squeals (except at the locks). No more hanging up. I didn't have the time to scour the junk yards so I bought a billet pulley. Installed it on the new pump and it fit as it should. Finally I changed the return line. The elbow looked like it was slightly crushed, restricting flow back to the pump. I also greased all the fittings on the underside of the truck. It had been neglected for some time. Thanks for the help guys.
 
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