First post in a looong time. Still driving the ole girl, 335K on the clock now. Anyways just the other day the power steering started getting real weak when I turn left. It came on fairly fast. Kinda works when it is cold, but after it's warm you got nothing. It is so stiff at slow speeds it's almost like it is hydraulicly fighting itself. It is a basically wore out Oreilly's unit. The last time I replaced it, which was over 10 years ago, I had to put 3 of them on before I got one that drove nice and didn't leak. It's been on there long enough that the u-joint in the Borgeson is wore out, too. Does anyone know of a replacement u-joint for that, or you just get a new one?

I was wondering what the current opinions were on where to get a quality, reliable, steering box for these things. A couple years ago I got a Redhead for my classic Mopar car and had a lot of issues. In the end I was down for a month and had $1000 in a steering box. I will say that it doesn't leak which was the whole reason for replacing it. But it does not have the "one finger power tiller" like it did originally and they assured me it would be just like stock.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Curt

 

First, figure out if the problem is the box, the pump, or it's somehow lost prime (usually from low fluid).

The biggest problem with the steering boxes is the remans are now 30-40yo units with countless rebuilds in between. Most of core supply is worn out. It's the same basic box used on a lot of gm trucks. I have best luck with used boxes from 2wd half tons. A basic seal and bearing kit is under $40.

The ujoint assembly can be bought from places like borgeson or flaming river. (Welding required). The ujoint itself is not usually serviceable.

 

I bought a reman GM steering box unit many years ago off Epay for about $65 and have been using it in my crewcab for the last 12 years....couple seal kits over the years and a slight clunk in it now but it's still working. Also check your power steering pump, the main pressure fitting off the reservoir has a small screen down inside...they usually get plugged up with gunk and debris over the years. You can pull your high pressure line then back out that fitting...be careful there is a spring and a couple other small parts when it comes out. I had a real weak PS system once and after cleaning the screen it was like brand new again!

 

Well it got progressively worse and eventually lost assist turning right. At that point is was virtually impossible to turn more than 3/4-1 turn left. I had a "bran used" steering box on a frame section out in the tree's, put that on and now it has better steering than possibly since I have owned it. However, now, when it has sat for awhile and you start it, you have to raise the RPM for a few seconds for the pump to start pumping oil. It then works fine until you shut it off and it sits for several hours/ overnight. I am guessing there is a restriction on the suction side of the pump, as it is takes longer to start pumping, the colder it gets. I guess it could be the vanes sticking?

Is that screen in the end of the pressure valve the suction strainer? I have been doing some research and haven't found the answer yet. Looking at the parts breakdown, that appears to be the only screen inside the pump. Does anyone know if that is the suction strainer? Or if it even has one?

EDIT:

Oh, and if anybody is wondering about the Borgeson u joints this is what they told me:"As the 000943 shaft has the same joints on both ends and it can be installed either way in your truck I will give you two part numbers. One to connect to the large side of our telescopic shaft and one to connect to the small side of our telescopic shaft.



Large side #013452

Small side #013449"

They appear to be about $80 apiece online.

I am probably just going to replace the whole shaft since the top one is notchy and the whole thing is all rusted up. The telescoping part is rusted solid. Every setscrew I have touched on it has snapped off. I actually had a fox of a time getting that steering shaft out of there. In the end the entire steering box, shaft, and the lower half on the steering column had to come out in one piece. Had to heat and beat to get the shaft off the box, and the lower half of the steering column out of the upper end of the steering shaft. Then you have to thread that shaft back up in the column, it was a PITA. It was the worst part of the job, thankfully it steers wonderfully now. Like a new truck.

 

My steering is stiff on cool mornings until - like you - I raise the idle for a few seconds. It's been that way nearly 10years. Honestly thought something further would have happened by now, but it hasn't.