The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > 47 - Current classic GM Trucks > The 1967 - 1972 Chevrolet & GMC Pickups Message Board

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 05-24-2018, 12:37 AM   #1
Ryan5O
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Spokane WA
Posts: 198
Overheating Power Steering Pump _ Help

72 Chevy, 350

Sorry for a repeat topic, but none of the threads that I read through had a solution.

I got a new pump and steering gear. The gear is for a 73. After the install the system was up and running great. A couple weeks later, my power steering pump over heats to the point that the gauge level on the cap was melted.

I suspected there was a possibility of air in the lines, but was surprised that it would take a couple weeks for the problem to show itself.

Iv'e since replaced the pump and fluid. I've jacked the truck up and turned the wheel nearly 50 times while adding the new fluid. When I start the truck, it will begin to squeal after about a minute and the pump begins to heat up real fast.

I dont have any kinks in the lines. I would be grateful for any ideas? I'm at a loss at this point and getting ready to take it to the shop.

Thanks in advance,
Ryan
__________________
USCG "Support Search & Rescue, Get Lost"
Ryan5O is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-24-2018, 01:33 AM   #2
RichardJ
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: So Cal
Posts: 1,402
Re: Overheating Power Steering Pump _ Help

>> turned the wheel nearly 50 times while adding the new fluid. <<

Learned a new trick two years ago. I had to have the rack on my C4 Vette rebuilt. The rebuilder sent instructions to use a vacuum pump and suck the air out from the reservoir tank, then refill.
Worked great. It sucked all the air out of the rack, pump, hoses and PS radiator.
When I fired the engine, the pump didn't make a sound and I haven't added fluid since.

You might add a PS radiator, but it sounds like it is heating too fast and too much for one to be of any help.
Could be a bad pump.

What fluid did you put in it? Is it foaming up?
Some of the Honda pumps are real sensitive to the fluid. If you didn't use Honda fluid, the fluid would aerate, make a lot of noise and heat up some.
__________________
'67 GMC 2500, 292, 4spd, AC

Last edited by RichardJ; 05-24-2018 at 01:57 AM.
RichardJ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-24-2018, 08:36 AM   #3
68Stepbed
Registered User
 
68Stepbed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: 10-Uh-See
Posts: 5,609
Re: Overheating Power Steering Pump _ Help

Try flushing the system, removing all the power steering fluid and replace it with plain ATF. The trans fluid won't aerate and froth, and will maintain it's viscosity under high temps.

However, the fact that it heats up enough to melt the fluid level stick is strange and leads me to think there's another issue elsewhere. It's almost as if the gearbox isn't flowing properly. How well does it steer? Any hang ups or dead spots? Try driving through a large open parking lot changing directions quickly. See if drags or catches during quick turning.

If all that is working well, you may have too high output pressure. You may have to install a flow control valve. I would suggest calling the guys at Turn One for advice on which valve or restrictor you need.
__________________
Matt

68 C10 stepside, LS1/700R4, TCI Engineering suspension system
68Stepbed is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-24-2018, 08:44 AM   #4
Jrainman
Registered User
 
Jrainman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: North East PA
Posts: 682
Re: Overheating Power Steering Pump _ Help

The only thing I could think of that would cause a problem like this is a restriction in the system , Low or no flow rate , my guss is either supply line or return line is old, and as it heats up the line then gets soft and collapeses, just as you would find the same problem on a disc brake system making a caliper lock up as the fluid heats a rubber brake line collapeses restricting the caliper piston to open back up.

I would flush the system for dbre and install new hoses if I was having this issue .
Jrainman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-24-2018, 08:55 AM   #5
brown7373
Registered User
 
brown7373's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Fort Pierce, FL
Posts: 430
Re: Overheating Power Steering Pump _ Help

Are either of the hoses close to or touching the exhaust manifold? I replaced mine along with a new 350 crate engine. Problem I have is the new hoses are close, but require some bending to fit...and the steel lines are VERY hard to bend. Does anyone make lines that are closer to the originals? Rock Auto, NAPA, Advance etc. all have the same.
brown7373 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-24-2018, 09:31 AM   #6
Ryan5O
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Spokane WA
Posts: 198
Re: Overheating Power Steering Pump _ Help

I'll try completely flushing the system this evening and maybe get some pics posted.
__________________
USCG "Support Search & Rescue, Get Lost"
Ryan5O is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-24-2018, 09:25 PM   #7
mike16
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: bisbee, arizona
Posts: 1,529
Re: Overheating Power Steering Pump _ Help

some times the wrong diameter pulley somewhere in the system will spin the pump too fast and heat it up.
mike16 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-24-2018, 10:47 PM   #8
ElKotze
Registered User
 
ElKotze's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Southwest Kansas
Posts: 306
Re: Overheating Power Steering Pump _ Help

You said new steering gear box, did you center it before putting on pitman arm?
__________________
'64 C10 LWB, 283, 5speed
'68 C20 LWB, 327, 4speed
'69 C20 Custom Camper Longhorn, 350, 4speed
'72 C20 Cheyenne Super, 396, TH400
'66 C60, 292, 4speed
ElKotze is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:53 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com