Ps pump blown

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

ifsmithy

ifsmithy

10 Year
Joined
Sep 13, 2014
Threads
47
Messages
381
Location
Orange County, California
And 300 miles away from home .......

quick question - up in the mountains with limited cell coverage right now and looks like my reman'd ps pump has just blown. Tried pouring fluid in empty reservoir on the side of the freeway and it's pouring out of the back of the pump - that's from what I can see at 11pm and it's way below freezing here....and I don't like hanging around sides of freeways...

Truck is driving fine but clearly no power steering.

Can I do any damage driving home on Sunday (300 miles) with no power steering - it's all pretty much straight highway.....not convinced I'll be be able to fix it up here....

The one part I decide to not go oem on....

Thanks for the help as always
 
Last edited:
I think the belt for the PS run other component too, if not, cut the belt. Pump is toast so no worry about damage. I think steering box is robust but heavy steer, so once you're on freeway you'll be fine till get home.

Used steering box are cheap so if that goes, you can get replacement, but I've seen BMW steering box used with no fluid for awhile with no issue, due to bust hose.
 
I've had this same thing happen twice. Had a block off plate fabled for "just in case" as a favor from a friend. Even if you go OEM your 20 year old hoserver and line set could have an issue at some point IMO.

The fist time it happened in was on my way home to Cincinnati from Georgia when I bought my rig. Had my mechanic with me and got lucky to have the issue several minutes before 5pm on a Saturday in Knoxville where parts ate available. I do belive it had run for some time on the highway where on sharper bends I felt something but didn't realize until I exited it was gone. My mechanic dI'd the work for me that time (lucky pep bous was opentil 8 for an impact to swap the gear). Unfortunately I didn't "learn" what I mention next since he did the work.

Fast forward to this last summer it happened again but only an hour from home. Kept stopping and adding fluid every so often then ran the last 30 minutes or so home.

Here is my opinion because I was worried about the same thing. When I removed it myself for repair the second time it seems the pump hold several ounces of fluid even when that plug blows out of the back. Hopefully by design but it does seem like it would be enough fluid to keep the bearing in the pump lubricated ebough to not have it seize up (the main concern to not take the engine out). I think it would start making a whole lot of noise as a warning to shut it down before real problems would occur.

I also don't believe it will damage the steering gear from what I've been told bit not enough of a trained mechanic to answer that for certain. Your arms will surely be bigger when you get home, lol

Good luck
 
Last edited:
With the PS out they are really hard to drive.
Maybe not at Highway speed, but at low speed it took about all I had to turn it and I'm no wimp.
If you can drive it go ahead.

Rebuild your pump with the Gates kit and if you really want to be diligent change both the feed line (5/8) and high pressure line also Gates ($50) from Rock Auto.
 
Hornd said:
With the PS out they are really hard to drive.
Maybe not at Highway speed, but at low speed it took about all I had to turn it and I'm no wimp.
If you can drive it go ahead.

Rebuild your pump with the Gates kit and if you really want to be diligent change both the feed line (5/8) and high pressure line also Gates ($50) from Rock Auto.
Click to expand...

All the lines are new. Replaced them all when I changed out the pump in October of last year. Had to drive a few short miles then and yep - really hard to steer at low speeds. High speeds its not that difficult tbh. Gonna get under the truck and see where the leak is coming from in a bit (pretty sure it was pouring from the back of the pump - not any of the lines).......its 10 degrees here following record snow levels in Mammoth lakes, California right now.....i have no access to a garage so nothing major is happening until I get home!
 
That sucks. There aren't that many possibilities for leaks: the front seal, the gaskets and the high pressure connection with the banjo bolt and the copper rings. Check all of them for tightness and maybe you will get lucky for a change.
 
It's pouring out the back of the pump from what I can see - yeah it sucks but as long as I can get home without damaging anything other than the ps pump I can live with it?
 
Worth a shot I suppose - it's pouring out of the back of the pump as fast as I can pour it in....piece of cr#p reman pump or what!
 
Sounds like the little plug towards the outboard side has failed/popped out. Not as common of a failure are the gasket on the back plate. Maybe you can force a plastic plug into it and secure it with a big hose clamp/ducktape? Long enough to git home??
 
I don't know where you are at on your journey home at this moment or if you have access to any shops or tools but here is my thought.


It's possible that the rear cover, which is retained by a keeper ring, could have popped off and be on the road behind you somewhere. This happened in my driveway following a rebuild on a pump that I did.

Your pump could be used as a block off plate if you have the ability to remove the pump and pull the drive gear off of it. You could do it yourself if you stopped and purchased a cheap gear puller.
 
Theres what appears to be a bolt missing from the back of the pump?


The trans fluid just pours out from a threaded hole - in the field right now so having trouble locating a picture - will try.....
 
The bolt you speak of may be the relief valve assembly.
 
First pic - you can see the hole

2nd pic a bit blurry but twig underneath

IMG_7523.webp


IMG_7524.webp
 
ifsmithy said:
Theres what appears to be a bolt missing from the back of the pump?


The trans fluid just pours out from a threaded hole - in the field right now so having trouble locating a picture - will try.....
Click to expand...
Is it possible to snap a photo of your pump and post it to this thread?
 
baldilocks said:
Is it possible to snap a photo of your pump and post it to this thread?
Click to expand...

Just posted photos - is this good enough? I have a buddy coming into mammoth lakes from LA tomorrow so if it's an easy part to obtain I might be able to have power steering for my drive home!

There is also a napa parts store here so if can bolt up that hole?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom