Power steering woes

WZ JUNK · May 20, 2020, 05:04:00 PM

I used a GM power steering pump on my 460 engine. It works great and it is quiet for about 45 minuets of driving. Then you can here it making the typical noise that pumps like these make when they have some air in them. Then the steering gets harder to turn and today the fluid burped out of the reservoir. I have never had this happen before. I wonder what is going on?

58 Yeoman · May 20, 2020, 05:06:57 PM

I had a friend that had a Chrysler Cirrus and the PS started making noises. We had to suck out the old fluid, then refill and turn lock to lock. It worked for her car.

kb426 · May 20, 2020, 06:15:17 PM

I had fluid puke out of the 72. I ended up replacing the r&p and vacuuming the system before I was finished. I had installed a new pump 1st but that wasn't the culprit.

enjenjo · May 20, 2020, 06:15:19 PM

I believe you have the fluid overheating from bypassing too much. you can install a flow control valve in the pressure line, it can be as simple as ball valve that you can partly close to restrict the flow, or it might be as simple as installing a power steering fluid cooler in the return line. Many of the newer Ford trucks use one.

WZ JUNK · May 21, 2020, 07:47:33 AM

I have an extra pump, so I think I will change it out today. We will see how this all plays out.

Crosley.In.AZ · May 21, 2020, 11:26:54 AM

Might , maybe plug in a small transmission cooler on the return line. See if results are good , better, same?

WZ JUNK · May 21, 2020, 06:25:01 PM

I drained the fluid today and it has a color that makes me think it might have water in it. I will let it set tonight and see if any water separates. I am tempted to flush the system, add the filter, and new fluid, then see if it heats again. I can monitor the temperature by stopping occasionally and using my infrared thermometer.

Before I bought this truck it had set out in the weather for a period of maybe years with the lines open. I thought I flushed it good before I hooked up the lines, but I could easily have not got all the dirt and water out.

WZ JUNK · May 23, 2020, 12:06:21 PM

I flushed the system, and added the filter. The fluid still has a little color to it. I also added a chemical to the power steering fluid that a friend of mine sells for power steering. A mechanic in a can. The temperature is staying with in range and so far it has been quiet. Time will tell.

As a side note, and unrelated to the power steering, the vacuum secondaries are working now

purplepickup · May 23, 2020, 02:37:02 PM

Quote from: "WZ JUNK"

As a side note, and unrelated to the power steering, the vacuum secondaries are working now

Can you get into Mokan for a few whatshedo runs?

WZ JUNK · May 23, 2020, 04:53:11 PM

Quote from: "purplepickup"
Quote from: "WZ JUNK"

As a side note, and unrelated to the power steering, the vacuum secondaries are working now

Can you get into Mokan for a few whatshedo runs?

I think we are going Friday night for test and tune.

WZ JUNK · May 23, 2020, 04:56:24 PM

We went for a test run today. After 12 miles of average driving the pump started to sing and the temperature of fluid was increasing to over 200 degrees.

Tomorrow I will change the pump and flush out the system again.

WZ JUNK · May 25, 2020, 01:23:03 PM

Not a lot of improvement in the situation. Even after changing the pump out, I still have high fluid temperature.

I am starting to wonder about the pressure being to much but I really thought that the pump I am using would be comparable to the pressure of the Ford pump. I may end up using a Ford pump after all.

kb426 · May 25, 2020, 01:32:33 PM

An option: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/brg-899001

Bruce Dorsi · May 25, 2020, 05:45:46 PM

John: Is it too much pressure or possibly too much flow?

If a lot of fluid is going thru a relief valve it tends to increase the temp considerably.

phat46 · May 25, 2020, 06:47:24 PM

What was the old trick about reducing the pressure on a G.M. pump to use with a Ford? Wasn't there a spring in the pump you stretched out? I think there was also a pressure reducing piece you could add. I did it in my '46 with a stock Must II rack but that was over 25 years ago....😕