Bad steering box ?

[85k5dsl]

How do I tell if my steering box is bad? I have a D60 with crossover steering and a locker and I'm unable to steer the truck unless I jack it up off the ground. I installed hydro assist with a new pump modified per West Texas web page. I'm able to steer but the pump makes a loud droning noise. So is the steering box bad ? Thanks for the input.

 

[4X4HIGH]

You aren't trying to turn on pavement are you, if so it won't turn very easy because of the locker?

 

[85k5dsl]

I'm driving it around the yard and it is still a problem. I just installed a new pump and it acts like the old one that was only a year old. I removed the ram assist and it is almost like having manual steeing.

 

[6.2Blazer]

Definitely sounds like a pump issue and not the steering box. I would probably pull out the valve that you modified and take a look......almost sounds like it is stuck in the bypass mode which basically gives you no power assist (mine did that one time), or you just messed something up.

Even prior to ram assist I could turn the 39.5" Swampers on mine while stationary on pavement but no real easy.....whether it's a locker in the front or not doesn't make any difference when stationary or when in 2wd. With a small ram (1.5") I can turn them with 2 fingers.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Definitely a pump issue, either something is wrong with it or there is air in it.