My '83 K5 former diesel has always steered and braked well, but lately when cold the steering at low speed (engine and truck) the steering is notchy, like the power assist is kicking in and out. Returns to normal once I get going. Something wearing out? Belt is tight.
CK5
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Slow Steering with Hydroboost
- Thread starter PaulZ
- Start date
rampage
3/4 ton status
Describe notchy.
Could be axleshaft u-joints starting to freeze and bind.
Could be axleshaft u-joints starting to freeze and bind.
It's like when you have regular power steering and the engine dies, the you start it again and get the power assist. Only it's happening every second or so. The brakes don't seem to be affected.
Maybe it is the belt. I only have one, it had been converted to gas engine before I got it and that's the way they did it. But it has been fine last couple years and the belt is as tight as it's ever been. Maybe it's just worn out. No squealing though.
Maybe it is the belt. I only have one, it had been converted to gas engine before I got it and that's the way they did it. But it has been fine last couple years and the belt is as tight as it's ever been. Maybe it's just worn out. No squealing though.
H
Have someone crank the wheel lock to lock while you watch.
I bet the pulley is seizing up.
If that is the case, a new belt is in order.
It was surprisingly hard to tighten the PS belt on my 6.2.
There is a 1/2" drive square hole, but none of my 1/2" ratchets fit in there with the pump in the way.
I have to pry on other stuff to get it tight, trying never to pry on the actual pump housing of course.
But what you describe is exactly what mine did when the belt slipped and no squeal either.
Pulley just seizes up and boost stops.
Put a white dot on the PS pulley.
Have someone crank the wheel lock to lock while you watch.
I bet the pulley is seizing up.
If that is the case, a new belt is in order.
It was surprisingly hard to tighten the PS belt on my 6.2.
There is a 1/2" drive square hole, but none of my 1/2" ratchets fit in there with the pump in the way.
I have to pry on other stuff to get it tight, trying never to pry on the actual pump housing of course.
But what you describe is exactly what mine did when the belt slipped and no squeal either.
Pulley just seizes up and boost stops.
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If that is what it is doing you will most likely not notice an issue with the hydroboost since they use an accumulator on the booster to give you pressure for a safe stop if the engine dies and most likely it is kicking in when you feel the steering acting up. Also, is the pump that is on the gas engine a pump for a hydroboost truck or just the one that was in the regular gas engine setup that the engine came out of?
Try using the Thexton 383 tool. It's a little piece you hook onto that P/S bracket and then it attaches to a breaker bar.
I just bought one, but haven't used it yet. If it works it will be worth the money.
My bet is the belt. But I noticed a jump up in P/S speed when I replaced my pump. So either the new pump is different or the old pump wasn't pumping as well as it should have. And even if your accumulator is shot, the hydroboost gets the fluid first, so the steering drops out first.
I use a large adjustable wrench in the bracket in the same manner as that Thexton too..on my 6.2 I had to rig a ratchet strap to the wrench handle after sliding a pipe over the handle for more leverage,to apply tension to the belt "hands free"--I hooked the ratchet strap to the inside of the fender,after getting frustrated trying to hold the belt tight with one hand and tightening the bolt with the other hand proved darn near impossible alone..
My 6.2's have only one v-belt on the P/S pump,and it has to be taught ,or you'll get lumpy steering,pulsating brake pedal,and squealing..it is especially liable to do that with the extra load the plow blade puts on the steering box..
My 6.2's have only one v-belt on the P/S pump,and it has to be taught ,or you'll get lumpy steering,pulsating brake pedal,and squealing..it is especially liable to do that with the extra load the plow blade puts on the steering box..
