2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Very hard steering when stopped

[MMoyle]

Hi all

i recently did the following steering upgrades to my truck:

1. New Borg high flow PS pump with all new lines
2. New Borg steering box
3. New Borg steering shaft
4. New BD steering stabilizer
5. New sway bar end links

i did all of this because I was having some problems with my steering and I decided to replace everything in one shot. Since I have done this, I am no longer able to steer the truck while stopped. Even if I increase the rpm (I have a 6sp) it does not improve. Once the truck moves slightly, I can steer the truck fine. What could be causing this?

mike

 

[fest3er]

You have air in the fluid line somewhere; it can be a real PITA to get that air out. Raise the front end. Turn the steering wheel lock to lock 20 times (or more), engine running and engine off.

 

[Wayne M.]

How's your brake pedal power assist? Hard effort?
Fast3er may be right with air bound, and one old trick I learned was to make a dummy cap with a hole/ nipple for a hose to hook up a mity-vac and put a vacuum on the reservoir. That gets the air out good.

 

[MMoyle]

Thanks for the replies guys. Brake pedal is completely fine. I will give the air suggestions a try and report my results.

 

[Flinty]

I rebuilt the steering on a friends '94 this summer with the same list of parts you used. Borgeson had just moved and it took some time to get the box and shaft. I had all the air out of the system and it was still hard to turn the wheel at a standstill. I called Genos and it turned out to be a defective box. If the problem persists I suggest you give them a call and see what they say. They were great to work with. The new box was like night and day and I had it bled in no time. It is in fact sometimes a pain to bleed but if you observe fluid running through the pump and the wheels are still hard to turn after sitting overnight then there is a problem not related to air in the system.

 

[sag2]

If it didn't do it before it has to be the pump or gear. We just had a third generation truck at school that was stock but had same symptom and it was the pump. The correct way to diagnose would be with the Miller pressure/flow tester but without it you have a 50/50 shot. Contact the supplier as they should know which part fails more often.
Air generally will not cause your symptom unless it's really bad, then it will make lots of noise also. Correct way to expell all air is lock to lock 20 times BEFORE starting truck. Obviously with wheels off the ground.

 

[petersonj]

What could be causing this?

I agree with sag2. Air in the system is not the cause of your problem. A power steering pump has the highest demand for pressure and flow when the vehicle is stationary, especially if the foot brake is applied and / or the vehicle is facing downhill. Unfortunately (as sag2 mentions), the symptoms you describe could indicate a weak power steering pump or the control valve in the steering gearbox not working properly.

If your steering performs as expected in all other driving situations with the exception of when the truck is stopped, I would suspect the power steering pump.

I have replaced the steering gearbox, steering shaft, and power steering pump with Borgeson components as well. There are conditions when the steering demand is great that I can feel the power steering momentarily stop because the steering forces are greater than the pump output.

Borgeson states that their steering gearbox has a larger piston area and a faster steering ratio. What that means to me is that the larger piston area will allow the gearbox to deliver more force, but it will require more flow as well. The faster steering ratio will cause higher forces to be placed on the gearbox output shaft for the same input on the steering wheel.

Boregeson also states that their pump has a 1 gpm higher flow and 100 psi higher pressure. I believe that using a Borgeson power steering pump with a Borgeson steering gearbox compliments the faster steering ratio, but I also believe that the ability for the Borgeson pump to perform better than the factory pump when the steering load demand is high (such as when the truck is stopped) is a wash.

I think you do have a problem with your steering, but I also wanted to give you an idea of what to expect with a properly operating system. When you get it working right I think you will be very happy with the steering improvement.

- John

 

[MMoyle]

Thank you all for your replies. I tried to get the air out by turning the wheel lock to lock 20 times with the truck off and also with the truck on (wheels off the ground). I still have the same problem. I will be calling Geno's tomorrow. I will let you know how it all plays out.

 

[danieltemple]

My 2001 Cumin's 240,000 Mi. 4x4 with 315 tires had to start moving to turn the tires the steering was so stiff or weak. Put 2-cans of MicrolonAmerica
power steering additive and within about a week I could turn the wheels sitting still.
I did the Luke's Links steering box brace and a kit that slid a shim up the steering column that removed most of the steering wander but still plan to
install the 4 turn Borgenson box when I can afford it.