Archived steering problem

[cavalrycop]

I just had my steering box replaced because old one was leaking, It ran low on fluid so i figured it may have been damaged. Well I got truck back and ran fine a little growl when turning to left. today its acting wierd it is alot stiffer turning left and will wheel will not return after turning left but will after turning right? does this sound like a pump problem or box problem? Also what is best way to pull the pump?

 

[Missouri Mule]

Check these out from Service manual.

Growl 1. Low fluid level. 2. Pressure hose in contact with other componenets.

3. Internal pump noise.



Steering wheel does not want to return to center position. 1. Tire pressure.

2. wheel alignment. 3. lack of lubrication. 4. high friction in sterring gear.



Hard turning or momentary increase in turning effort. 1. Tire pressure. 2. Low fluid level. 3. Loose belt. 4. Lack of lubrication. 5. Low pump pressure.

6. Internal gear leak.



Sounds like the box to me but could be one of the problems above.

 

[KWentling]

I would jack it up and turn it lock to lock a dozen times or so with the engine off and then check the fluid level in the pump. Sounds like it may be an air in the system problem to me.



Kim

 

[cavalrycop]

Yhanks ill try and check for air in system its just strange why it only does it when you turn to left.

 

[JayWm]

I'd suspect a defective gearbox. You've not changed or damaged anything else recently. If it was fine for a short time after getting it back and now it's not, it's most likely the new, but defective steering gear box. Did you have a new one installed, or was it a remanufactured unit? One of the biggest rebuilders just went bankrupt, but there is still a ton of their product on the market. The company was ARI that went belly up. Make sure whoever sold you the gearbox is gonna stand behind it.



That said, you should check the other components to rule them out. If you had trapped air, I'd suspect you'd be getting A LOT of groaning while trying to turn the wheel.



Jay Williams

Truck 911 moderator

 

[cavalrycop]

I bought it from summit its a agr box. I think tomorrow ill jack her up and try and bleed some air from it. I thought I may drop linkage at pitman arm and rotate the box and see if it binds going to the left. It is strange after it goes past center to right it gets easy. When you turn to right its hard and you can let go of the wheel while turning and steering wheel stays turned and will not rotate back to center.

 

[RAJohnson]

Sounds to me like it is out of adjustment. Or possibly not the right pump for the application from AGR. I had a AGR that would do the same thing and I found out it was what they called the rock ram steering and required a special pump to deliver the correct amount of pressure.



Check here, http://www.agrperformance.com/products.php?cat=101

 

[jtwcummins]

My AGR box did the same thing. Standing still it wouldn't go left at all, right was okay. When moving the steering was terrible. Put factory box back in and a few weeks later noticed the Over Center adj was backed almost all the way out on the AGR. Did the adj, almost 6 full turns in, and the preload and reinstalled. Steering worked okay. Was hard to get all the air from the system. No issues since. I use Valvoline synthetic and lube guard additive.

 

[KWentling]

Like Jay said, it is hard to get all the air out. I put on the PSC box about a month and 500 miles ago and I still can feel some air in it at times when first starting out. I did the install exactly like the service manual says. I did the lock to lock at least 30 times. That's why I suggested chasing the air out. Sounds like Jay had a problem with that same box though.



Kim

 

[DDecker]

Re-priming steering gear boxes

If there is air in your power steering hydraulic system, then the procedures described will eventually do the trick (jack up the front of the truck, start engine, turn steering wheel lock to lock several times). However, when doing this, pause for several seconds at the lock (max left or right turn) to allow air to rise out of the gear and back to the pump resevoir. An assistant watching the air bubbles appear in the reservoir can be of assistance.



I worked on the steering gear of my '93 once, and resorted to this pausing business after many lock-lock cycles without priming success ...



Dave.

 

[Murphy67]

Air in the system would usually be evident by foaming fluid, or seeing the fluid being pushed out of reservoir. Purging the air out after any service is important and needs to be done by having the weight off front wheels. With engine off move from full left to right by taking one of the hold of one of the tires. Youll be able to both feel and hear any trapped air.



ps. I have an AGR box for sale if you need. Has less than 5 K on it.

 

[cavalrycop]

The problem is the junk AGR box. It was only 4 days old leaking from sector shaft seal and it must have a bearing as well. Called summit they said send it back. Im going to get a refund for this p. o. s. and have ordered a psc box. I just hate paying to swap the boxes 2 times. I will never buy AGR junk again.



mike