need power steering help

[mookie]

ok, here's what i've got....agr power steering pump, stock chevy pulley, saginaw box (from a junkyard, i think off a '78 monte carlo) the box is redneck ram modified, and a redneck ram hydro assist ram. the problem is that when i'm crawling at idle speed i can't turn the steering wheel, i have to gas the engine a little and then it seems to work fine. i thought maybe my stock power steering pump wasn't cutting the mustard so i upgraded to the agr but it hasn't helped. i've tried bleeding the system many times....i had the same problem before i even got the redneck ram setup when all i was running was 33's. to me it seems like maybe i need a smaller diameter pulley? but i've never heard of anyone else having this problem. the only other thing i can think of is that maybe my box is just worn out or something.....any help or suggestions would be much appreciated

thanks

 

[yello 40]

I've had to run wider pulleys but not smaller diameter

 

[Pin_Head]

It sounds like a pump volume problem. A smaller pulley may help; otherwise a larger volume pump is needed.

 

[mookie]

i've already got the AGR super pump...

 

[D'Animal]

Are you running the stock F or 2F? The F series idles so slow that the pump does not build much pressure.

You will need a smaller diameter pump pulley I'm on my third one and have found the one that works the best. I will measure it and post the size. I think it came off a f-150.

Did you cycle the steering when you put it together? I think they recommend turning the steering lock to lock about 40 times to purge all the air out of the system. This is of cource done on a jack or jack stands with the engine not running. It is a pain but it has to be done. If you start the engine and just start turning the wheel the pump will run dry very quickly and you can slightly gaul the inside of the pump resulting in low pressure at idle or just low pressure.

You might as well order some heavy duty steering links from Marlin Crawlers right now. The first time your right front time is against rock and you turn the wheel into it, the steerign links are gone. Been there done that, twice.

 

[Pin_Head]

i've already got the AGR super pump...

Yes, but other than expensive, how is it "super"?

It isn't putting out the volume you need to run both the box and ram. The largest volume Saginaw pumps are ones you find in 2.5 ton trucks. They all put out the same pressure.

 

[mookie]

d'animal, i've got a chevy 350.....so what diameter pulley did you wind up using and what did you get it off of?

pinhead....i had the same problem before i got the hydraulic ram, and d*mmit i really hate to hear that the agr isn't super, that doesn't make me happy at all