Power steering issues
 

I just did a firewall forward rebuild of the front suspension, brakes, engine etc. The car still has the original power steering pump, but I changed the steering box to a late 70's Trans Am WS6 box. I had new lines made for the pump to prevent any leaks, and there are none. The steering box is awesome, much tighter and much more responsive, but there is no power steering at all. The pump is doing nothing at all, it doesn't whine, the belt is tight, it's full, I've bled the system with the front of the car raised etc. I'm thinking I'll just buy a re-maned PS pump but wanted to make sure I've eliminated any other potential issues before I do that. Could there be a mis-match between the PS pump and the steering box? The fittings were a perfect match and the box was a bolt in perfect fit.

Thanks

Didn't get the lines mixed up did you? Maybe you have the prssure line going to the return port on the box? (And visa-versa?)

What did you do about the internal steering stops? Will be a noticable reduction in turning radius if you did nothing.

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Thanks, i'll check for reversed lines. Could've sworn they were different sizes.

I didn't change the stops but the car still has a good turning radius.

Thanks

The simple solution is just take the pump and exchange it for a rebuild at the local parts store. After checking your lines of course.

I did a reseal job on my pump and had no power steering at all once I got it going. They are so simple inside I couldn't for the life figuer out how I could have no pressure.

The only problem is that the exchange doesn't have the same reservoir can. I've found some remaned pumps on ebay that have the correct reservoir. They're not cheap but they have a warranty and they look right.

which side of the box is the high pressure side, they're both the exact same size fittings so it could very well be reversed. I don't have a live wrench at home so I'll bring one home from the shop tomorrow. It would be nice to swap sides and fix it!!!

The one furthest forward, towards the front of the car, is the pressure fitting.

There's a check ball and spring in the pump where the pressure line connects, you can pull that and inspect it, make sure it's not hung. That big nut on the back removes the valve, spring, and check ball/valve.

Aside from those suggestions, maybe make sure it's bled all the way, but think it would squeal if not. With the engine running, cut the wheels back and forth from lock to lock, make sure it's topped off with fluid. I'm a power steering fluid guy, and suggest others use power steering fluid instead of ATF. There's conditioners in there, etc, and are better suited for the PS pump than ATF.

Ok, one more thing. Make sure the pulley isn't just slipping on the shaft, but I seriously doubt that one!

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If I recall correctly the pump can be seperated from the reservoir can faily easily.

That's true, the pressure valve nut and the stud are what hold the reservior on the pump. The problem is, the reseviors are rarely 'round', and once you crack one, they are almost impossible to keep from leaking. It's that big O-ring around the pump that has to seal, so the opening of the resevior has to be true/round.

The early reseviors are still available, just have to dig harder for them.

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I have that same set-up in my 69 GTO. My box is from a 78 WS6 T/A with my OEM pump. I recently had Power Steering Services rebuild both the box and pump and the difference is fairly dramatic.

And they corrected the internal stops? What did they charge you to do the box? Reason I ask is the AGR boxes are available and not very expensive at all.

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OK, well it's hooked up correctly. The pump has to be bad because it's been bled properly...I also only use PS fluid in the steering system of my cars too.

my box is already overhauled. But I'd be interested in having the pump done. What did they charge you to rebuild yours?

AGR makes pumps too.

do they have the factory style reservoir? How much are they?

THX

No, no factory reseviors, have to shop those on your own. You can call them, they may know where to get them. You can take a shot at the ones from NAPA or other auto parts, got one not too long ago from Advance auto. Here's the part number to shop:

CARDONE 20-6117

Pretty much a 'while-supplies-last' thing, they can't promise a reservior style when you order it.

You could always swap over to a type II pump, they're not that expensive. Firebird Central lists one with the resevior for $195, but it's really just an S-10 pump you can get at the auto parts for like $100.

http://www.firebirdcentral.com/product_p/pow-333.htm

AGR ones are $139 - (here's all saginaw pumps at Summit)

http://www.summitracing.com/search/P...?Ns=Rank%7cAsc

I would look at the relief/pressure valve, it's rare a pump just gives up like that. Maybe check the fittings or something, might be a restriction or something too. You can get a rebuild kit for yours, just be very careful separating the pump from the resevior. You can loosen the valve and stud, turn it over, and whack the two on the ground, see if it comes apart easy. Clean it up, see if it works then, save a few bucks.

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I've never saved a few bucks on old cars by saving a few bucks.:D But I know what you meant.;)

I'm talking to Power Steering Services about rebuilding my pump, cleaning out my box if needed and adjusting the stops for my car. I'm checking turn around time and pricing to see what it's going to take.

I have a few other issues to work out too so some down time won't kill me.