Power steering pump whine? 35's

[andersonoverland]

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!

 

[jonheld]

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!

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.

 

[andersonoverland]

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.

 

[andersonoverland]

Did a flush of the system with two quarts of ATF. No more whine.

 

[Kabanstva]

Did a flush of the system with two quarts of ATF. No more whine.

How does it feel though? Still feel like you have no power steering or does it feel normal now?

 

[andersonoverland]

Feels pretty good now. I think it might have had some air in it. I'm gonna drive it for a few weeks and see how it feels. Will keep you updated.