Locked up steering???

[John Martines]

Sunday morning after getting my fix of coffee I jumped in to my truck that was running with the dog inside and as I turned the wheel to the right the steering locked up. Then smoke poured out of the hood and when I opened it the powersteering pump was spewing fluid like a volcano. I shut down and had it towed two blocks to my house and I can't straighten the wheels. The box and pump are AGR that I installed 3 years ago, All was fine until!!! There was a slight wobble feeling for two days prior when ever I turned that felt like the posi rear chirp .

I'm not sure if it's the pump or the box! I'm going to say the box but how would I know if the pump is bad as well. Ever since the original box went I've had nothing but problems, two rebuilt Napa's lasted less then a year and the AGR lasted 3 or so and was very smooth. Any ideas on this???

 

[Leper]

It could also be a hose on the suction side. If that hose hets a hole in it, air will be pulled in and make the fluid foam. Foam take the same space as the fluid, but compresses to nothing and doesn't help turn the wheels. You should lift the front of the truck up and try turning with the engine off and watch for leaks. Engine off will allow fluid to flow out of the suction line if there is a hole.

 

[John Martines]

Thanks I'll try it. But I'm going to pull the box and have it sent out to AGR to be rebuilt.

 

[John Martines]

And so my saga continues! My now rebuilt AGR box has so much slop in it that it's a chore to drive. I have read about 3 turn boxes but I'm not sure I want to tear out another box ( # 5 in four years). Can the boxes be bought new?? Anyone know a good reliable box?? Power Steering Services? or PSA? This AGR has been one of those I wish I never did things!



The other thing is my clock spring went bad so I replaced it. My steering wheel wasn't staight since the new box was put on (Half turn off) so I figured I would straighten it out while it was off. So I did and it returned to almost the same postion?????So I did it again! Same thing!#@$%! What is going on??



The truck dives nice and straight so my alinement isn't out! I let go of the wheel and it just goes straight as an arrow!

 

[Tippin Spotted Cow]

First things first, if you don't have a borgeson steering shaft, I'd highly recommend it. The stock shaft is such a piece of crap, it makes it hard to analyze steering problems. With a lot tighter shaft, you'll feel more coming through to the steering wheel from the rest of your components.



I know where your at, man. So far, since replacing my original box a year and a half ago, I'm on my 4th steering gear, and this one is f*ed. Besides that, for other things being messed up down there, I've had to pull it and put it back in about 7 or 8 times total.



Remember that there are 2 different gear ratios for our trucks, but they somehow get packaged all the same from the companies I bought them from. That could be what the different feel is on the new one.



If you find a solution, let me know.

 

[KOG]

John, when you replace steering gear you may have to recenter the wheel on the shaft. You do this by turning the wheel from lock to lock with the pitman arm off or disconnected from the drag link. Wheel should come to exact same angle on both sides. If not, you'll have to file or chisel a spline from the shaft to recenter the wheel for that box.

If you loosen the pressure hose from pump to gear and the pump still won't turn you know that the pump has locked up. And it likely that the gear may be bad as well. Also check the frame where the gear mounts. They are known to crack and can stand some reinforcement. It's possible that the slop you're feeling isn't in the gear, but is in the shaft couplings or the frame mount.

 

[John Martines]

All the mounts are good, the box has been rebuilt by AGR but now has to much slop. I don't have a spline on my steering wheel shaft it's a 4x4. The steering shaft and coupling are a custom made from a KW steering u-joint and are tight and have no play.

The box is the problem the suspension parts are all looking good and tight, I keep all of it greased. I know it's the box, I thought maybe someone out here might know of a good replacement. I guess since the rebuild was in October I should call AGR and see what they say!

 

[Tippin Spotted Cow]

Yeah, I have a 4x4 also, the shaft is splined all the way around, so you can turn the wheel in somewhere around 10 degree increments or so.

 

[LiftedLimo]

First off AGR produces crap. Look at their track record. If you have any questions about a company, Google them first. AGR has lots of problems. Like you said also, NAPA, and the major rebuilders don't get these box correct. It is for a reason! Think about it, there are hundreds of applications for a single box, so if you cut costs and produce one box for a bunch of applications, you get promoted. You also get promoted by using crappy seal kits. Who are rebuilding the boxes? Minimum wage workers. You cant expect them to give a rats *** bout you. It is all about meeting the days quota, and going home.

The Fix:
Rebuild it yourself! It is inexpensive, pretty easy, only takes a couple special tools, and you have one ONE person to blame if you don't get something perfect(which if you take your time is hard to mess up on).

There are DOZENS of websites devoted to rebuilding step by step with pictures these boxes.

Also, you can build the Borgenson shaft for about half the price using the same joints. Look up the joints in Summit, or you local 4x4 shop.

 

[LiftedLimo]

Your pump also might be toast. Now that one is a more simple fix. After you get your box rebuilt, goto the parts store and get the cheapest Saginaw p135 pump you can get, no reservoir. There all the same. Should be about 38 bucks with exchange. Somehow rebuilders get these correct. Also, if it doesnt come with it, get the reseal kit, $12.



Remove the flow/relief valve, remove the shims, and screw back together. Now you have a "high performance" Saginaw ps pump producing up to 1400 psi.



Clean out your lines. I suggest replacing them with reusable steel fittings the new hoses. I prefer the braided steel with teflon lining because it looks purdy. Then use ONLY synthetic ps fluid. Royal Purple is okay, its what my truck has. Try Amsoil tractor hydraulic/steering oil. Thats the latest and greatest. The limo is going to use that, but I have to finish plumping my new ps pump in first.

 

[KOG]

Ah, the steering wheel will be splined onto the top of the shaft.

 

[John Martines]

Yeah KOG, The steering wheel on my truck has no blind spline, so it can set in like said above 10 degree. 36 splines 360 degrees. I have rebuilt the pump and all new lines. I had to do something while it was being rebuilt! My steering coupler is a Kenworth steering u-joint with grease zerk made up to the stock shaft.

Rebuild the box myself huh,..... I'll check this out! I'm sure it can't be to bad I've had almost everything else on this truck apart..... Why stop now!

 

[Tippin Spotted Cow]

Yeah, I kept one of my old gears because I had welded the borgeson U-joint to it when my splines stripped. I've been meaning to pull that guy apart and try my hand at rebuilding it for my ramcharger... on which the steering is garbage. Turning the steering wheel in that truck is more so a suggestion of where you want the truck to go. As my buddy said the first time he drove it "its an adventure, like every time you turn the wheel you get a new surprise. "