I'm having some WEIRD power steering characteristics.

I've replaced the steering box a few times now.

The last time I did my steering box, I took out the fitting on my PS pump and cleaned the filter screen, along with stretching the spring to increase the pressure. I also drilled out the fitting 1 or 2 sizes to improve PS flow at idle.

After I did all of this, the steering was excellent, with finger-easy steering on blacktop at a stop. This went away within about 10 miles, now its 1/4 turn of the wheel and its armstrong steering again.

Recently, I replaced the return hose and fitting because I believed it was leaking a bit of air.
Re-assembled, bled the system, and now have the SAME thing.. Easy steering for 10 miles, then back to the same old crap.

WHY is this happening? This is really bothering me.

I'd appreciate any input.

Thanks in advance!

 

Sounds like it's sucking air somewhere.
Is the fluid getting foamy?

 

Replacing the gearbox a number of times would seem to point more to the pump failing, not the gearbox.

The Saginaw gb was not meant for front-end weight inclusive of a 5.9 Cummins, but neither was the pump, in combo with that 'small' gb.

Check out the size of the 1 1/2 - 2 ton gearboxes, like on dumps, box vans and such - bigger gearbox = much less load on the pump.

Might check out your ps pump.

 

I replaced the steering box due to leakage, not because I felt it was the problem.

 

Does the hydroboost tend to leak or restrict PS flow with wear?

 

Leaks externally just behind the mc, internally past the brake rod, accumulator won't hold two full stops, as worst case - won't restrict flow.

Leaking gearbox can be cured with 8 bucks worth of seals - I wouldn't have suspected replacing the entire gearbox just for a leak.

Problem is, GM designed the 800 with two seals on the pitman shaft, Dodge used only one, like in the 600 light-duty series gb - they turn a second seal up-side down, push it in and call it a dust seal.

That's why it leaks about every two years.

Snap-ring pliers, hooked seal-puller and pitman arm puller will get the job done in about 30 mins.

 

These gearboxes were leaky and loose..

I put a brand new one on and dropped 3 quarts of fluid in 1/4 of a mile.. Called up screaming and they overnighted me another one.. Thats why they have been replaced several times.

 

That's a really odd situation with these Dodges - my big '89 3500 GMC cc 6.5 4wd dually ps gearbox has never leaked, in 153kmi.

If ever a steering box was under heavy duress, that GM arrangement is the poster child.

This bears lookin' into, as the gynecologist said.

 

Would anyone think its the hydroboost?
I've finally replaced the power steering pump amd still have the same issue.

 

The hydroboost on my previous GMC developed a leak. I never noticed any effect on the steering, other than when enough PS fluid was lost to cause the PS pump to chatter. Are you losing PS fluid?

 

Are you stretching the spring on the flow control spool?

If so, that is limiting\reducing\restricting flow which will cause the pressure relief to constantly bypass - resultant lower flow results in difficult steering.

Oil would be more milky, from all the bubbles - take a look in the reservoir, as Bill suggested