Power steering at idle

[Azrocks]

The PO of my 79 FJ40 did a saginaw power steering conversion. I have a 350 SBC. At idle it feels as though the power steering isn't working. If I rev it up a bit then I get power steering.

Do I need to go to a smaller pulley on my pump? Any other suggestions?

 

[Poser]

Has it been this way for the whole time you have owened the truck?

 

[G_Stratton]

I had the same problem at idle with my power steering when I first set it up.

I changed the pump and then it worked at idle. One finger to turn the wheels while standing still.

 

[lemon]

What is the power steering fluid level?


A smaller pulley is fine, until you loose leverage from lack of belt engagement...

 

[surfpig]

I did this (it's in the tech section) to my p/s pump, and now I'm happy. I got the mini p/s setup, if that matters...

 

[lemon]

Those are good mods...just like the thread states...a little goes a LONG way...


Just be careful.

 

[lone gunman]

i think you need to change the pump. as G_Stratton said i can turn mine lock to lock standing still on asphalt with 35 in. tires no problem. your pump could be going or just weak, mines out of a 72 chevy 4x4 truck dont know if they are any different then any other chevy but it has plenty of power to turn the tires even when up against something.

 

[Azrocks]

Has it been this way for the whole time you have owened the truck?

Yup.

 

[Azrocks]

What is the power steering fluid level?


A smaller pulley is fine, until you loose leverage from lack of belt engagement...

It's fine. I was kind of hoping that was all it was.

 

[Azrocks]

i think you need to change the pump. as G_Stratton said i can turn mine lock to lock standing still on asphalt with 35 in. tires no problem. your pump could be going or just weak, mines out of a 72 chevy 4x4 truck dont know if they are any different then any other chevy but it has plenty of power to turn the tires even when up against something.

Thanks guys for the input. It sounds like a pump issue then. I'm only on 31's right now so it's not like I'm attempting to push big tires or anything. Anybody have a pump they recommend?

 

[LT]

Those are good mods...just like the thread states...a little goes a LONG way...


Just be careful.

I found out the hard way. I blew all the seals on my scout p/s box, blew the return line and the high pressure line. The resovoir can is also bulged out a little bit I'll probably try the mod again, but this time I will follow their instructions and only use ONE 4mm washer instead of two.

 

[surfpig]

I found out the hard way. I blew all the seals on my scout p/s box, blew the return line and the high pressure line. The resovoir can is also bulged out a little bit I'll probably try the mod again, but this time I will follow their instructions and only use ONE 4mm washer instead of two.

And you also have to be careful about not disrupting the o-ring seals around the pump housing and the reservoir when removing the high-pressure hose fitting: it's the one thing holding the whole thing together, and it's easy to twist it all out of alignment. I put bolts in all the holes the second time I tried this mod...