FJ40 Saginaw Steering Problem

[1973Guppie]

I have a saginaw system on my fj40 and since replacing the box and pump about 6 months ago, I get power loss quite often at low idle. Usually it happens when I am pulling into a parking spot etc and have to make a sharp turn. I have burped the system when I installed everything and don't think I have air in the lines. Is the problem most likely the saginaw pump? I got a rebuilt one from the parts store locally. I would think that the pump is not putting out enough pressure at low idle? Weird thing is that it is intermittent. Mostly it happens on road, like I said, when pulling into a parking spot, etc. Off road I have not had any problems with it. It seems to happen when switching from a high rpm to a low rpm, that is when the power to the steering cuts off abruptly.

Any help appreciated, has been bugging me for awhile now.

Noah

 

[TCinVA]

I have a saginaw system as well and don't have that problem with it. It sounds like the pump would be a logical source of the problem. It sounds like the pump can't "keep up" with maintaining the pressure when dropping RPM's to idle.

 

[UZJ40]

I wonder if your belt could be slipping... Not necessarily a result of low RPM, but more of the increased effort on the pump at low speeds on asphalt. How tight is your belt?

 

[caladin]

Go to a Smaller pulley? I'd heard of issues like this so I put one on my sag pump.

 

[centerlineseal]

Noah, thought these Qs might be germane to your problem.

I have a similar problem on my P.O. built '75. No power steering on cold startups, until engine begins warming up, then more like power assisted steering, not full power steering like we experience with our own build on the '72.

Is there a way to test the pump, like disconnect from the saginaw box, and run pump to remote reservoir to observe flow? Any way to measure flow?

Or best to just replace pump with new after checking for belt slippage?

Is there a possibility of saginaw box problem?

 

[brew8]

I agree with the slipping belt

 

[cockednlocked]

Have you shimed the pump spring ? Do a search might just be weak . I instaled a hydro assist after replacing everything and still not being able to turn the wheel but I'm on 37"s with a Lincoln locked third .

 

[1973Guppie]

now with everyone's opinions I am thinking maybe the belt is slipping or the belt tensioner has gone bad? I know on the vortec that little belt tensioner wears out over time and I have never messed with mine. How hard should the tensioner be to push back? I would guess if the spring on it was weak it may not be keeping everything tight.

 

[patride71]

A bit of a hijack here and apologize if a really dumb question, but should there be any play in the actual pulley wheel? What I mean is on mine you can push the wheel toward the the firewall a few CM.
Reason I ask is my belts were just replaced and now I got a new squeak under the hood. I narrowed it down to that pulley and at a higher idle it appears to be a bit of wobble in the pulley.

 

[cruiserjunkie]

I won't think so with a press fit pulley

 

[1973Guppie]

I have been researching it online and NO there should be no play in the pulley. Also the tensioners get stuck every so often or the springs break inside. I am going to replace both and see if it help the problem.

Noah

 

[patride71]

Great...I'm guessing it has been that way for a while, but I hate to see it crap out on me on the road or trail.

 

[Hugh Heifer]

I just had the exact same problem. I had about 700 miles on the pump from Autozone. Since it is lifetime warranty I replaced it to see if that was my issue. Resolved. The pump was bad.

 

[1973Guppie]

thx hugh, I think I might pull the pump while I am at it and see if that helps, got a belt tensioner today, I can move the tensioner by just pulling on the belt, seems like I should not be able to do that.

 

[Hugh Heifer]

A tell tale sign of a slipping belt is a really shiny pulley and a really shiny belt on the sides of the V.

 

[1973Guppie]

A tell tale sign of a slipping belt is a really shiny pulley and a really shiny belt on the sides of the V.

it's a serpentine, but my pulley is shiny metal with all the black paint rubbed off?

 

[mattcamp]

Hey....I thought you didn't have power steering, thats why you wanted a bigger, stock steering wheel.

 

[1973Guppie]

Hey....I thought you didn't have power steering, thats why you wanted a bigger, stock steering wheel.

Hey Matt,

the steering wheel you are sending is for my 72 I am restoring, this thread is for my 73 fj40 I have had for a long time. The steering wheel will be going on this thread:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/564734-guppies-green-72-fj40-build-thread.html

I have 4 cruisers now, I am completely addicted.

Noah

 

[Hugh Heifer]

it's a serpentine, but my pulley is shiny metal with all the black paint rubbed off?

Couldn't say if it was slipping without seeing it.
I would try a pump if you can warranty it.

 

[mattcamp]

Hey Matt,

the steering wheel you are sending is for my 72 I am restoring, this thread is for my 73 fj40 I have had for a long time. The steering wheel will be going on this thread:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/564734-guppies-green-72-fj40-build-thread.html

I have 4 cruisers now, I am completely addicted.

Noah

I had four but recently went back to a 40 and a 45lv, I was just jokin anyway but I am going to check out your thread, thanks