'79 K5 Reman Power Steering Pump

[ramack]

The power steering on my '79 has been whining (fluid topped off) and this week it started leaking, so I picked up a MasterPro from O'Reilly's last night. I also picked up high and low pressure hoses too. Last night I got the pulley swapped, no problem. I got the pump put on, primed the pump, no air in the system that I could tell. I got everything buttoned up this morning after messing with belt issues, unrelated to the P/S pump swap.

I started the engine, no whining, so that's good. I got in the cab to move the steering wheel...nothing. It won't budge. So first thought was I got the high and low pressure connections to the gear box reversed. Nope, that's correct. I loosen the hose connections on the gear box, start the engine and expect to see fluid squirting out from the fittings.... nothing but a drip. I disconnect the high pressure line from the reservoir body connection, start the engine and expect to see fluid gushing out. It's coming out, but probably just from the head pressure from gravity.

I'm thinking I got a bad pump from O'Reilly? Am I missing something??? It was kind of a no brainer to R&R, only one way to put it on, except for the hoses, which are connected correctly. I was wanting to get this done before the weather comes in this evening/afternoon. And with it being Thanksgiving most places are closed. I'm basically hosed, ha.

 

[Bent77]

Did you put the front up on jack stands and cycle the steering wheel left to right with the engine off?
Air bubble will do the same

The pumps are simple, take the fitting out and inspect it

 

[ramack]

No, I didn't hard stop cycle left to right. The gearbox is full of oil, no air. I purged the high and low pressure lines of air prior to connecting to the gear box. It does seem odd that when the high pressure line was removed and with the engine running, fluid was only oozing out. Should be gushing out, looks like it's just "draining". When I change the motor oil, the oil comes out faster than this! Maybe the bypass valve is stuck?

https://imgur.com/a/3ayvA9N

Provided it isn't snowing tomorrow AM and it's double digits, I'll reconnect the lines and hard stop cycle the steering.

 

[Bent77]

I’ve had the valve stick and do this. Pull it out and run some fine grit paper over it

But I’d cycle it first since it’s together already

 

[ramack]

Update after the snow moved out and outdoor temps got up to ~40ish. Warm enough to connect hoses, fill fluids, jack up front end, and to the left to right hard stop shuffle (engine off). Started the engine and immediately I could hear the difference in the pump. Low level whine from the pump with the front end still in air. Dropped the jack, drove down to the car wash to clean off the Dextron. Everything is nominal. Obviously there was air in the system, I'm guessing in the vanes. Doing the left / right shuffle purge it.

Thanks Bent! I owe you several for this one.

 

[Bent77]

Update after the snow moved out and outdoor temps got up to ~40ish. Warm enough to connect hoses, fill fluids, jack up front end, and to the left to right hard stop shuffle (engine off). Started the engine and immediately I could hear the difference in the pump. Low level whine from the pump with the front end still in air. Dropped the jack, drove down to the car wash to clean off the Dextron. Everything is nominal. Obviously there was air in the system, I'm guessing in the vanes. Doing the left / right shuffle purge it.

Thanks Bent! I owe you several for this one.

You don’t owe me anything, just happy you got it sorted