steering gear replacement

[minnickb]

2000, Z71 (4WD), 5.3, 152K miles

 

I just finished replacing my steering gear & pitman arm.

I must have did something wrong.

Its really, really difficult to turn, both left & right.

 

Its full of fluid. Nothing leaking.

Replacement is a Cardone from RockAuto

 

Any ideas what I f'ed up?

 

thanks

[DaveH71]

How does the gear turn without the pitman are connected? Is it still hard to turn?

[minnickb]

I haven't tried.

It would be a chore to pull the pitman.

Do you think it would be worth the effort?

[DaveH71]

Leave the truck off and get both front wheels off the ground and work the steering wheel back and forth lock to lock to make absolutely sure there is no air in the system. If you are positive there is no air, then i would pop the pitman arm out of the steering linkage and see how the gear turns wile disconnected. Did you happen to test the gear at all before install to see if it moved freely?

[minnickb]

I'll try that. I drove around the block a couple times. There "shouldn't" be any air.

No I did not test it prior to install. I'm in my driveway. No way to do that.

 

What about something plugged (dirt/FOD)? I taped the hoses that connect to the gear to keep crap out, when I started

I'm not sure what is inside the gear.

[5.3 whitechevy]

Probably air in lines bro

[DaveH71]

I don't think dirt is the problem. Also make sure you have the pressure line and return line hooked up to the right ports on the steering gear. Pressure line will usually be the hard line, return line will usually be the rubber flexible line. Kinda hard to mess those up though. Im willing to bet its just a large amount of air.

[minnickb]

I raised the wheels. Fully turned the steering wheel a couple dozen time, both without & with the engine running. Much easier turning with the wheels off the ground btw.

I almost want to say its easier to turn with the engine (pump) off then on. But its really close to the same.

I turned the steering wheel alot... there can't possibly be any more air in the system.

I had my buddy turn the wheel while I was under the truck. No noises, binding, squeals, clunks, clanks... nothing

 

Dropped it and drove around the block. No difference. Really difficult to turn. Easier the faster I drove though.

 

Pressure & Return lines are different size, so at least they idiot proofed that. No way to mis-connect them. I replaced the o-rings on the connections also, no leaks

 

I'm really tired and hot (it was 106 today in phoenix today). I've had enough for today. Its time to veg and have a beer.

 

At this point, I'm thinking something is wrong with the steering gear.

I guess I'll call RockAuto tomorrow and see how well their return policy works.

[aflesch]

Why did you replace the steering gear in the first place?

Your pump might be bad.

[minnickb]

Steering was getting a bit loose. +/- 10ish deg of play in the steering wheel.

I was fly fishing up in the mountains a couple weeks ago, on a rough road, and it was definitely noticeable

 

Pump is about 1.5 years old (no noises). I did the hoses at the same time.

Replaced tie rods & idler arm earlier this year. It helped some, but steering play was still there.

 

There's really nothing else. Its a fairly simple steering system.

 

When I bought the thing, I told myself I was going to get 300K miles. I'm @ 150K.. half way there.

Replacing parts is just part of the process

[DaveH71]

Well before you go through the whole process of taking the gear back off, when you start the uninstall, pop the pitman arm out of the linkage first and try to turn the gear by hand. It should be relatively easy. If it's not then the gear is the problem.

[minnickb]

thanks for all the suggestions. Yes I'll pull the pitman and see how it goes.

Probably won't get to it until the weekend though

[minnickb]

I talked w/ Cardone (made the rebuilt).

He suggested the power steering pump, outlet flow regulator must be plugged. No fluid, no power steering.

Possible he's re-directing me so there's no warranty

Recommended to pull the outlet fitting. I think it can be done on vehicle. Disconnect the hose, then it threads out of the pump housing.

I'm just about to try. It has a spring inside, so I hope i can get it re-installed on vehicle. I don't want to take off the pulley. pita

 

One thing of note, I just took the fluid out of the pump via Turkey Baster.

Its Milky white.

It was clear (new) yesterday when I filled the pump. Prestone power steering,

Suggests air or water. Its been sitting 24 hours, so air doesn't sound right.

Not sure about water. There wasn't any water in there when I started all of this on Sat.

[DaveH71]

Could always pull the return line to see if the pump is working.

[minnickb]

I just did. Figured I would flush it first. Nothing out of the return line.

Something is plugged.

 

I'm still not sure what to think about the milky fluid though