Help....Power steering issues

[1971ChevyTruck]

Installed an old big block power steering pump on my engine last week and immediately started having issues. The pump runs fine while engine is running but shoots fluid out the top of cap immediately after shutting engine off. I checked the hoses and the fluids and everything seems normal. Any ideas??????

[68gmsee]

Overfilled maybe??? Do you refill it everytime it burps out fluid?

If fluid level is fine the first thing that comes to mind is that it may be sucking air in from somewhere and pressurizing inside the pump/gearbox. Check all of the connections to make sure they're tight.

If you're sure everything is absolutely tight and no leaks, maybe get rid of all of the fluid and start over with some fresh recommended ps fluid. Sometimes it gets contaminated and foams up.

[1971ChevyTruck]

The fluid level is fine, in fact it is really low and it still contiunes to spray out. The fluid is spraying out at high pressure. I will check for air leaks and then drain the system and start over. I might try another cap too. Could it also be a plugged return line??

[treveiger]

Did you prime the power steering system, are all your fittings tight? How full is it?
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[1971ChevyTruck]

Trying to figure out what you mean by priming. The box was full and the pump was up to the line. All firings are tight and in the right spots. The pump fluid level will not even register on the dipstick now but still sprays out some..this one has me Confused
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[webfoot]

Was it all foamy after you shut the truck off or did the blow-up shoot all that stuff out? If you installed a new PS pump, the system needs to have the air bled out. This is done by putting the front end on jackstands and turning the wheels from lock to lock several times with the engine running.

[Sammy]

This is a small strainer behind the fitting on the pressure fitting where the line comes out of the pump. Most folks don't never know it is even there. After you remove the fitting it may need to be coaxed out with your small finger. It has a small orfice just blow it out with some air and reinstall it. I don't know if it is causing the problem but can't hurt to check it. Most everyone who has PS pump problems replace the pump and all is needed is to clean that orfice and they usually work fine. Good luck.

[cdowns]

to first prime i've always had vehicle on jackstands and turned slowly 4-5 times lock to lock with truck running let rest for 15minutes or till i remember then i'd do it again

[hugger6933]

turning back and forth to the lock usally does it if not try the "burping proceedure on the late 90's s-10. That is to turn the wheel all the wat to the left and then shut off the engine wait about two minuites and repeat. That is what the goodwrench man told me one time I was having trouble bleeding a ps

[Ackattack]

Trying not to hijack this thread, but along the same lines:

I just replaced the power steering gearbox on my 69. Before replacing it, there was a lot of slop, but it turned easily and didn't make any noise.

With the new box, there isn't any slop, but now it whines some times and doesn't have much "power" so it requires excesive force to turn the wheel. I turned the wheels back and forth on jackstands many times. It sounds like its low on fluid, but it has fluid.

Any suggestions.

[Ackattack]

Originally Posted by Ackattack

Trying not to hijack this thread, but along the same lines:

I just replaced the power steering gearbox on my 69. Before replacing it, there was a lot of slop, but it turned easily and didn't make any noise.

With the new box, there isn't any slop, but now it whines some times and doesn't have much "power" so it requires excesive force to turn the wheel. I turned the wheels back and forth on jackstands many times. It sounds like its low on fluid, but it has fluid.

Any suggestions.

I figured out my problem. Low on power steering fluid. With the engine off, the air in the system would depressurize and push the fluid back into the pump. Until I looked in the pump with the engine running and seeing that it was "dry" and realized i needed to fill it while it was running. Otherwise, you turn it off to "safely" fill it and again the fluid would back up into the pump. I used a long tranny fluid funnel to fill it to keep my hands back away from the belt, fan, etc.

[treveiger]

To prime the pump an gear box.
1. Jack up your truck so the tires move freely off the ground, also make sure its stable as you'll be turning the wheels back n forth.(make sure your truck won't roll on you also)
2. Fill the pump to the cold mark an with the engine off and pump cap off turn your wheels from stop to stop 4 or 5 times then check the fluid, if its low fill it up some more an repeat. This step is nice with a buddy because you can have him just watch for air bubbles an keep the fluid level up while your turning your wheels.(once the air bubbles are gone its primed)
3. Once there's no more air in the pump(bubbles are gone) start it up an turn the wheels stop to stop 4 or 5 times then shut it off an check for bubbles again.
4. When there are no more bubbles, set the vehicle on the ground an start it up. Move the tires from stop to stop. They should move easily an freely with little noise. Check the fluid again an take it for a ride around the block. Once back home let it sit for a while then check the fluid one more time an your good to go. That's how I do it, works great for me.
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