Power steering issue. New Steering box?

[Joe70]

Recently my steering has become quite heavy. There is only a very slight difference in how hard it is to steer with the engine running vs. not running. So far I have flushed the PS system with ATF. No improvement there, so Next thing I did was swap the PS pump with a known good pump. This also did not improve the PS at all. So unless I'm missing something, that would leave a couple other possibilities... Linkage, and the steering box. The linkage looks fine, although I have not disconnected it yet to completely rule it out. So I guess the question I have is... Does anyone know where I can get a PS box for a 1988 BJ74? Or maybe a good rebuilder? Or perhaps I'm missing something obvious??

 

[roscoFJ73]

Anyone who rebuilds p/s boxes should be able to do one of these. I expect they would be able to run a test to isolate it between pump and box ,although I noted you said you had tried a known good pump.
Does your pump groan slightly when you turn the steering wheel. Sounds to me like the valves in the box are not opening.
Got a manual? Might be an easy fix.

 

[wongtsenhin]

Where is the valve located located in the box? I'm experiencing some stiffness when idling.
How easy is the fix?

 

[jb BJ73]

Jack the front up and turn lock to lock with the engine off. If it's easy it will eliminate the linkages and rod ends

 

[Joe70]

Jack the front up and turn lock to lock with the engine off. If it's easy it will eliminate the linkages and rod ends

I've done that. It's slightly easier with engine running.

 

[Joe70]

I've located a power steering box from a RHD 80 series. Does anyone know if that will work?

 

[wongtsenhin]

I've located a power steering box from a RHD 80 series. Does anyone know if that will work?

Doesn't fit, 70 series pitman arm faces backward whereas 80 series faces forward.

 

[Joe70]

Doesn't fit, 70 series pitman arm faces backward whereas 80 series faces forward.

Ok thanks for the heads up. The search continues...

 

[sadam_husain]

for what its worth (and I know you've already tried another pump) I've had that happen 4 times over the years and its always been the pump that has failed, I've had one steering box that leaked badly but it still worked fine, do you have any means of testing the pressure side of your replacement pump or trying it on someone elses truck

 

[roscoFJ73]

Where is the valve located located in the box? I'm experiencing some stiffness when idling.
How easy is the fix?

Im not 100% sure but I think it is where the pressure line plugs into the box. I have only looked at the parts manual.
But stiffness at low rpm sounds more like tired pump . The bench test for these is quick and effective.
You could try some power steering reconditioner. Sometimes the inside of the pump gets a varnished coating on the internal parts and it makes them lose pressure .

 

[Aussie 25]

Two things, disconnect the steering shaft off the box and see if the bearing in the Colum is free, also check both universal. If they are good, remove the pressure relive valve out of the pump and clean it. It has a fine mesh in the end. The valve in the box rarely plays up. Steering dampener can also do it. If you don't find it , as Rosco said test the pressure.

 

[wongtsenhin]

Thanks for that.