my steering woes

[sope]

This is a sketchy story and it's really only guessin right now. The specs of my rig are at the bottom. Please let me know what you think.
This started with my power steering getting a little weak. It was fine on the road but on the trail I had problems just wouldn't steer standing still on tight trails. Used to be much better. I decided to put a pump in and I was in a bit of a hurry so I decided to just get one rebuild from my local parts store and did the higher reliefe pressure mod right away. Noticed that it was worse than my old pump at low rpm but at high rpm seemed to work fine (much better than my old pump). I didn't like they way it worked much so I ordered a PSC pump and will warrenty the rebuild. I went mild wheelin with this set up and was happy enough with it. A few days later I took the truck out for a drive and found that it won't turn all the way left. I figured something broke like a spring center pin or box was screwed. Got around to checking it out today and when the weight is off the wheels it's fine. When the weight is on the wheels and the systen's been heated up a little there's no way it will go all the way left no matter what RPM. It's OK to the right.I'm still waiting on my new pump but does anybody think my box is screwed as well? I have to go on a pretty hard run next week end and if it needs a box I'll do it. I don't think my pump will make it here by then.

 

[virgilh]

well a stock steering set up with a detroit up front yea its hard to steer you really need ram assist or a selectable locker like a arb

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Something is wrong if your steering won't go all the way left, and that should have no bearing on the pump. Is your steering wheel centered?

I'm assuming you have crossover steering, if so that takes away ~30% of the steering force you had with the stock steering setup. The PSC pump isn't going to perform any miracles for you. Hydro assist will make a much, much bigger difference.

 

[sope]

yup everything is adjusted perfect just with weight on the tires it stops too early left. I can take some weight off my front end with a jack all keeping the tires on the ground and it steers stop to stop. This is also a problem rolling or still. It was OK and I was happy with my set up before. The problem started after wheelin with my new rebuilt pump but I'm not sure it's the pump problem. Eventually I will go assist but this isn't a problem. Neither is the detroit. It is a twdr problem as well. Just seeing if someone has delt with a similar problem. I'm kinda thinkin it's the box but not sure. Hopefully my new pump will show before the week end but I doubt it.

 

[sope]

Wait a minute I might have to admit to being stupid. I'm adjusting the drag link with my the body jacked up and my suspension hanging. I'll readjust it tomorrow.

 

[Mike D]

The 38" tires put a tremendous load on the PS. Look around in the junk yard for a used seperate transmisson cooler, flust it out with solvent and blow until dry,connect it in series with the return line to the power steering pump, and securely mount it in front of the radiator in the path of the fan draw. This will cool the fluid before it returns to the pump, it also adds a little more overall volume. Check the fluid used in the PS pump. Do not use ATF in the PS pump. At the pressures the pump generate ( 1300 - 1500 psi ) ATF tries to foam ( due to its additive components ) . ATF is not designed to work at these pressures, espesially in GM trucks. Bite the bullit and buy one quart of factory PS fluid from the GM Parts Counter. Most aftermarket PS fluids are junk! Correctly flush ( with GM PS fluid )and fill the system. Between the cooler and correct fluid you should almost immediately notice a smoother uniform steering effort, hot or cold.