Power steering pump whine? 35's

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andersonoverland

andersonoverland

Joined
Nov 18, 2024
Threads
24
Messages
101
Location
Lake Havasu, Arizona
Hey guys.

So, I put 35" tires on my 80 and regeared her to 4.88. I rebuilt my power steering pump since it was leaking, but now over time my power steering system has been whining a little bit and sometime feels like it's not working at all when I first start up the truck and use the steering wheel. Do you think my pump is done, or did I possibly mess up my steering gear? Did I maybe not purge air bubbles in the gear box correctly? I tightened the power steering belt twice to specifications. Any ideas? Thanks!
 
andersonoverland said:
Hey guys.

So, I put 35" tires on my 80 and regeared her to 4.88. I rebuilt my power steering pump since it was leaking, but now over time my power steering system has been whining a little bit and sometime feels like it's not working at all when I first start up the truck and use the steering wheel. Do you think my pump is done, or did I possibly mess up my steering gear? Did I maybe not purge air bubbles in the gear box correctly? I tightened the power steering belt twice to specifications. Any ideas? Thanks!
Click to expand...
The PS system self bleeds, assuming you have no leaks.
After the truck has sat overnight and before the first start of the day, open the reservoir and check the level. It should be to the top of the COLD mark. Make sure it's at the correct level.
The 3FE has a poor belt design for the PS pump. As you tighten the PS tension idler pulley, it decreases the wrap on the PS pump pulley. I've had issues with the belt slipping on the pulley when the wheels were bound up in the rocks, but never on the road.
Use OEM belts and make sure the belt routing and tension is correct.

1741954783130.jpeg
 
Thanks Jon! I'll check those things. I have no leaks since I rebuilt the gear box, and I've tightened the OEM belt on the pump a few times to see if it changed anything. Still acting weird. Some days it acts like there is no pump at all. I'm wondering if the pump could be going out? Maybe the pump and pulley are so old its just not pumping as it should. I don't suspect there to be much in the way of failure points in the pump though. Who knows.
 
wondering how this worked out as having same problem.
 
I was battling a whine after a power steering pump swap. I ended up solving it with this double gasket.

belmetric.com

COPPER Double Sealing Ring for Banjo Fittings 1.5mm Thick

Bel-Metric sells metric hardware & specialty automotive supplies worldwide. Visit our website to purchase metric fasteners, nuts, bolts, screws, washers & more.
belmetric.com belmetric.com
 
landtank said:
I was battling a whine after a power steering pump swap. I ended up solving it with this double gasket.

belmetric.com

COPPER Double Sealing Ring for Banjo Fittings 1.5mm Thick

Bel-Metric sells metric hardware & specialty automotive supplies worldwide. Visit our website to purchase metric fasteners, nuts, bolts, screws, washers & more.
belmetric.com belmetric.com
Click to expand...
Oh, those are clever. I can think of any number of times those would have come in really handy. Thanks for linking.
 
landtank said:
They crush well to make a great seal. And hold themselves in place. I use them on the fuel rail also.
Click to expand...
Yep, I'm sure those are awesome for anything with a troublesome seal. I see they make smaller diameters in thinner material as well. I'm more raving about the double washer arrangement - I didn't know those were a thiing. I may just buy an assortment to have on hand for hard to reach banjo fittings. I can think of any number of occasions over the years where I was bound up in some impossible little area putting in a banjo fitting by braille when, TINK... there goes the outside washer. 🤬
 
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