New Power Steering - mushy, unresponsive, squeals like a pig (1 Viewer)

[BreakfastBeer]

I just installed a mini truck pump on my 77. jtoutfitters brackets and their saginaw pump. steering box came from buyautoparts and looks great.

I bled the system before start up by jacking fronts, turning lock to lock and filling up. Then I ran the truck and checked again and took it for a drive, wheel does not go back to center after turning on its own, feels mushy and not much better than stock. when parked and I turn the wheels, engine on, it squeals as soon as I get a 1/4 turn. 31" tires.

in-line filter is going the right direction. No leaks in system, oil is not frothy. Pump lined up on driveline correctly.

Did I get a bad pump? Is my belt not tight enough or too tight? Should I used a non-ribbed drive belt?

Thanks.

 

[pb4ugo]

I never heard of installing a filter. A Squealing belt is usually an indication of a loose belt. They usually have to be pretty tight. Mini truck/ stk fj40 p/s is more like power assist. Beyond that, maybe other folks can chime in.

 

[BreakfastBeer]

I never heard of installing a filter. A Squealing belt is usually an indication of a loose belt. They usually have to be pretty tight. Mini truck/ stk fj40 p/s is more like power assist. Beyond that, maybe other folks can chime in.

Ah, I can try a different belt, maybe I'm expecting too much from the power steering then?

 

[pb4ugo]

Your belt looks right on the pump, but is thin compared to the water pump and crank pulleys grooves. I'm not well versed with the Toyota setup. I run SBC's, Chev usually runs a heavy/thick belt just for power steering(crank to pump only). I'm not sure how yours should be run. Someone more knowledgeable on this subject will hopefully help out.

 

[cruisermatt]

Start with removing that filter.

 

[BreakfastBeer]

Problem solved:

Just put on a little larger belt, tightened it up more and now no more squeal and it turns better. I guess the squeal was the belt slipping obviously, but wasn't providing enough energy to the pump so it could do it's job. Thanks all.

 

[BreakfastBeer]

Start with removing that filter.

It's just a screen with a magnet around it, don't think it impedes flow, any reason not to keep it? Made for return lines on power steering.

 

[pb4ugo]

I wonder with if running one thinner belt low in the groove of the water pump and 1 heavier belt near the top of the groove is acting like 2 different diameter grooves at the water pump pulley. That would certainly contribute to a squeal. It takes a lot on energy to turn a p/s pump.

 

[Trollhole]

You have to run the same diameter belts with your setup otherwise you are going to eat belts. You need a wide grove PS pulley.

 

[BreakfastBeer]

I hope that's not the case, jtoutfitters addressed that very concern and said running a narrower belt in a wider pulley is okay, but running a wider belt in a narrower pulley is not okay. I'll run it a while and if it doesn't work I'll try to track down a wide belt pulley for the saginaw.

 

[allesad]

I am just finishing up the same install on a 78 FJ40. What size is the PS Belt? Do you have P/N or source? Mine pulley OD measurement was 50.25" (+1.25" for tensioning)

 

[BreakfastBeer]

I am just finishing up the same install on a 78 FJ40. What size is the PS Belt? Do you have P/N or source? Mine pulley OD measurement was 50.25" (+1.25" for tensioning)

I used napa 25-7508