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Possible low power steering assist fix

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Retrax pro tonneau install

Oil Filter Change

power steering improvment

For those of you that are having problems with your steering stalling at low rpm's . There is a sure fire way to solve this problem if cleaning the screen does not do it... The part labeled "main fitting" in the picture has a hole threw it that the fluid passes threw. Enlarge this hole slightly and you will have quite a reduction in steering effort... . DO NOT just hog this hole out with your largest drill bit !!! If you do you will have totaly effortless steering and you will most likely blow out the worm shaft seal ... Drill this hole out 1/64 th at a time till the stalling at idle problem goes away !



The "main fitting" is different from one car/truck to the next. The hole diameter is determined by the weight of the chassis and the steering gear being used. .

The people that rebuild the pumps often put the wrong "main fitting" in the pumps for the chassis that they list that they go in. .



As for the fluid that should be used, I cannot speak for the later trucks but for all of the first gen trucks only use POWER STEERING FLUID. . Atf is too heavy ! It will cause excessive pump pressures and cause the belt to slip on the pulley... It will cause belts to break and cause the steering to stall at low rpm's...







KEarnest said:
Texas Diesel, I got mine done and it improved the steering assist a lot. There definitely was a bunch of crud built up on mine, the screen was completely covered. Like PPillard, it took a good long drive to get the system primed up and running good even after I bled the system. Thank you and everyone else for their help with this. I took a couple of pics of the pump parts while I had them out



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I am replacing my worn leaking steering gear this next weekend, definately going to do this while I am at it.



Just curious, has anyone put an inline screw on filter? Like that you see on hydrolic systems? I have a hydrolic filter setup that I could retro fit into this system. Seems like a good idea. it would go on the high pressure side I am guessing? if a screw on filter was used, could you ditch the metal screen?
 
This is what you need.

The Magnefine filters are made for power steering systems.

Been using them for a couple of years.

Cut a used one open to check out how they worked.

The magnet picked up the fine metal shavings, and the filter did the rest.

Use a 3/8" kit on the return line.



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Brad
 
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That's a stock factory box.

I made a brass o-ringed bushing for the sector shaft.

Keeps the grease in and the dirt out.

Wish I made more of them when I made mine and had the time.

Have had some requests for it.



Brad
 
First off i have to say that the syntic fuild is great 5x better with vavlone and 10x better with roryal purple. Great in the morring and cold no problems, plus helped my steering smooth out. I have the AGR pump and box and love it 2 finger steering on dry pavement. ONly have about 5,000-10,000 miles and had to tighen up the top 4 bolts once cause they leaked. Love that box mod. how about putting more info about how you make it? I was thinking about making a something similer to that cause the box always starts to leak there. You just drill and tap into the factory box with the shaft still in?
 
does anyone know how thick a spacer (washer) to use to increase the power steering pump pressure. My steering is a little weak I plan on cleaning the screen and adding the spacer, steering was always weak even when truck the truck was new.
 
Gregg Mig said:
does anyone know how thick a spacer (washer) to use to increase the power steering pump pressure. My steering is a little weak I plan on cleaning the screen and adding the spacer, steering was always weak even when truck the truck was new.

This link was back in reply#27. That article says:
A #4 machine washer fits perfect but can be a little too thick. A 3mm washer also works and is slightly thiner. Remember little steps...
 
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Automatic Transmission Parts, Makco Distributing, Inc has the Magnefine filter at a decent price!!! jps
 
Copy the name I posted, google it. Bulk trans. parts should show up. Scool down on LH side to in-line filters. Let me know if you can't find it. jps
 
HERE'S the link for JPS's site.

$14 each for the 3/8" & shipping, ($8. 50 per order), but still a better deal.

Once you start using a filter, it is like any other.

You have to change them.

I changed mine every year at first, then every other after that.

These will unscrew to see inside them, sealed with a o-ring to put back together.

Well worth the money.



Brad
 
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