Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » power steering pump, availability, rebuildability?
| power steering pump, availability, rebuildability? [message #132847] |
Thu, 30 June 2011 17:09  |
Andrew
Messages: 213
Registered: April 2011
Location: Connecticut
Karma: 0
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My learning continues.
I successfully extracted the power steering pump, though it put up a very respectable fight.
So now I have to decide whether to open it up and try to replace the bad bits, or to just order a new one. I can't find them on JimK's site, and JimB has hopefully gone home by now, so I'll have to scour the archives for a part number.
[EDIT: my lovely wife just walked in with the mail, and what to my wondering eyes should appear but the GMCMI Parts Interchange list, and yes it includes several options for a power steering pump, including a couple from NAPA -- 81-6734 and 81-7434. So I guess I'll start there. Thanks Billy!]
Other thoughts and learnings:
It would be really smart to cut a rigid board that covers about 2/3 of the inside engine opening.
Some day, I will arrange my life in such a way that I can have a service pit off my driveway.
The downloadable X7425 Maintenance Manual is missing some very important pages regarding the power steering system. Tom Lins' DVD version of X7425 has all the pages.
The power steering fluid that came out of the pump smelled positively awful. The new stuff doesn't smell like roses or anything, but the old stuff was nauseating. I think it got hot. I don't know whether this suggests a particular sort of pump failure.
Fluid manufacturers should really put the flash point of their product on the packaging. It's probably around 400 degrees, but it seems like useful enough information to put on the tin.
1973 Sequoia 260 (since 2011)
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| Re: power steering pump, availability, rebuildability? [message #132854 is a reply to message #132847] |
Thu, 30 June 2011 17:22  |
tphipps
Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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On the use of boards over the inside opening over the motor, I just got a couple of 1x6, and cut them to the width of the opening. Moving them around makes working on the topside of the motor very easy. Gives you something to lean on, or rest on. A magnetic strip on top can also be used to keep tools and parts in reach and not under the engine, on the ground.
Tom Phipps,
MS II
2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552
KA4CSG
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| Re: power steering pump, availability, rebuildability? [message #132855 is a reply to message #132847] |
Thu, 30 June 2011 17:23 |
C Boyd
Messages: 2629
Registered: April 2006
Karma: 18
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| Andrew wrote on Thu, 30 June 2011 18:09 |
My learning continues.
I successfully extracted the power steering pump, though it put up a very respectable fight.
So now I have to decide whether to open it up and try to replace the bad bits, or to just order a new one. I can't find them on JimK's site, and JimB has hopefully gone home by now, so I'll have to scour the archives for a part number.
[EDIT: my lovely wife just walked in with the mail, and what to my wondering eyes should appear but the GMCMI Parts Interchange list, and yes it includes several options for a power steering pump, including a couple from NAPA -- 81-6734 and 81-7434. So I guess I'll start there. Thanks Billy!]
Other thoughts and learnings:
It would be really smart to cut a rigid board that covers about 2/3 of the inside engine opening.
Some day, I will arrange my life in such a way that I can have a service pit off my driveway.
The downloadable X7425 Maintenance Manual is missing some very important pages regarding the power steering system. Tom Lins' DVD version of X7425 has all the pages.
The power steering fluid that came out of the pump smelled positively awful. The new stuff doesn't smell like roses or anything, but the old stuff was nauseating. I think it got hot. I don't know whether this suggests a particular sort of pump failure.
Fluid manufacturers should really put the flash point of their product on the packaging. It's probably around 400 degrees, but it seems like useful enough information to put on the tin.
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Sir: I got my PS pump at O`Rellys for a 76 Toro. It started leaking after 4 years and they replaced it no charge.
They call them "belly boards" and I got mine from Blanes Merills grandson for $5 at a rally. Nice young man with ambition and drive. He fell close to the tree.
If you join the Dixielanders you could come to Bean Station every "Darby Day" weekend for a work Rally and use our pit and tools. We are having a Rally at Noccalula Falls, Alabama July 14-17. You aught to come on over.
C. Boyd
76 Crestmont
East Tennessee
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| Re: [GMCnet] power steering pump, availability, rebuildability? [message #132863 is a reply to message #132847] |
Thu, 30 June 2011 18:10 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Andrew,
Remember, it's only about 200 miles over here to my service pit. :-)
You don't want to try to repair the power steering pump. Replacements
are too readily available used, new, or rebuilt. After all, GM
probably built 30+ million of 'em and they're generally very reliable.
I hope someone, or the manual, tells how to flush that stinky fluid
out of the power steering box and windshield wiper. I don't know how,
but I'd learn before putting it back together. And I'd install an
inline filter, for sure. Rick Seebeck just installed one -- maybe
he'll chime in with the number.
Most of us probably do carry a board such as you suggest, but more
like 10"-12" wide because of the air cleaner.
Ken H.
Americus, GA
'76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI+ & EBL
www.gmcwipersetc.com
On Thu, Jun 30, 2011 at 6:09 PM, Andrew <reynhout@quesera.com> wrote:
>...
> So now I have to decide whether to open it up and try to replace the bad bits, or to just order a new one. -
>...
> It would be really smart to cut a rigid board that covers about 2/3 of the inside engine opening.
>
> Some day, I will arrange my life in such a way that I can have a service pit off my driveway.
>...
> The power steering fluid that came out of the pump smelled positively awful. The new stuff doesn't smell like roses or anything, but the old stuff was nauseating. I think it got hot. I don't know whether this suggests a particular sort of pump failure.
>...
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] power steering pump, availability, rebuildability? [message #132871 is a reply to message #132855] |
Thu, 30 June 2011 18:29 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Andrew,
Don't know why Chuck calls it a belly board, he ain't got one (belly that
is). He's fit as a fiddle! ;-)
Regards,
Rob M.
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion-The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion-Double Trouble TZE365V100426
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Charles Boyd
Sent: Friday, 1 July 2011 8:24 AM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] power steering pump, availability, rebuildability?
Sir: I got my PS pump at O`Rellys for a 76 Toro. It started leaking after 4
years and they replaced it no charge.
They call them "belly boards" and I got mine from Blanes Merills grandson
for $5 at a rally. Nice young man with ambition and drive. He fell close to
the tree.
If you join the Dixielanders you could come to Bean Station every "Darby
Day" weekend for a work Rally and use our pit and tools. We are having a
Rally at Noccalula Falls, Alabama July 14-17. You aught to come on over.
--
C. Boyd
76 Crestmont by Midas
East Tennessee
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: power steering pump, availability, rebuildability? [message #132891 is a reply to message #132847] |
Thu, 30 June 2011 19:55 |
Andrew
Messages: 213
Registered: April 2011
Location: Connecticut
Karma: 0
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My local AutoZone has a power steering pump for me, or will by Saturday morning. Cost was $52 including the reservoir and the associated lip seals ($42 without). Core charge $7.
Duralast 6053, FWIW. They couldn't do the NAPA match, but Chuck's xref won the day.
I probably could have found one in stock somewhere, but AutoZone is the nearest, and I have plenty of other things to work on til it arrives.
I'm going to hit Home Depot tomorrow and get some pressure treated 5/4x6 or x8. I like Tom's idea of being able to pick up the 3-4 pieces and stow them somewhere. Could also double as a little ramp. Hopefully the 5/4 will be rigid enough to go over the air filter without flexing into it. The magnetic strip is a stroke of brilliance, as well. Dropped a couple of sockets today. The distance between topside and underside increases as the day wears on.
Ken brought up a point I'd entirely forgotten -- there's still old fluid in the power steering and wiper drivers. There might be an effective drain point down on the power steering box. I'll take a look.
Regarding adding a filter: where do the particles of concern enter the system? Is it to protect the power steering pump in case the wipers blow up? I'm going to replace the hoses too, so might as well splice in a filter while I'm at it. I'm not sure how to spec it, though.
Chuck: I would join Dixielanders, but I'm soon to be an ex-Southerner. Fortune smiles on you, but some west coasty bunch of fine folks will have to put up with the likes of me soon enough. And I'm leaving on July 14th, headed northward (first) in a big rush, so I can't even drop in at Noccalula and let you see what you've been spared. 
Thanks for all the help and support, guys.
PS: I forgot to mention earlier, but as expected the electrical gremlins are back in hiding now that things have dried out. Unfortunately that one might be a roadside repair in the making. I'll do a visual but don't expect much. Probably hit the plug wires with something appropriately hydrophobic, in case it helps.
1973 Sequoia 260 (since 2011)
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| Re: [GMCnet] power steering pump, availability, rebuildability? [message #132915 is a reply to message #132891] |
Thu, 30 June 2011 21:31 |
Dennis S
Messages: 3046
Registered: November 2005
Karma: 2
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Andrew
Just a quick comment -- are you sure about using treated lumber? I know they changed the formula for treatment -- but thought they still warned against direct contact with skin. I would be hesitant to lay down (and prespire) on it.
Dennis
Dennis Sexton
73 GMC
Germantown, TN
USA
-----Original Message-----
From: Andrew <reynhout@quesera.com>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Thu, Jun 30, 2011 7:55 pm
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] power steering pump, availability, rebuildability?
I'm going to hit Home Depot tomorrow and get some pressure treated 5/4x6 or x8.
like Tom's idea of being able to pick up the 3-4 pieces and stow them
omewhere. Could also double as a little ramp. Hopefully the 5/4 will be rigid
nough to go over the air filter without flexing into it. The magnetic strip is
stroke of brilliance, as well. Dropped a couple of sockets today. The distance
etween topside and underside increases as the day wears on.
--
973 Sequoia 260 (since 2011)
avannah, GA
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Dennis S
73 Painted Desert 230
Memphis TN Metro
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| Re: [GMCnet] power steering pump, availability, rebuildability? [message #132930 is a reply to message #132915] |
Thu, 30 June 2011 22:36 |
Andrew
Messages: 213
Registered: April 2011
Location: Connecticut
Karma: 0
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| Dennis S wrote on Thu, 30 June 2011 21:31 |
Just a quick comment -- are you sure about using treated lumber? I know they changed the formula for treatment -- but thought they still warned against direct contact with skin. I would be hesitant to lay down (and prespire) on it.
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That's a good point. The new stuff (ACQ I think) is supposed to be non-toxic, but I keep my kids and vegetables away from it anyway.
Looking it up, there are a few different formulations for the ACQ, usage varies by lumber species and part of the country. EPA says they're all safe. Organic gardeners say otherwise. But those two guys never agree on anything.
I just thought of the PT stuff because it's the only 5/4" stock that I know of at Home Depot. I'll see what I else I can find just so I don't have to think about it. Thanks for reminding me.
1973 Sequoia 260 (since 2011)
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| Re: power steering pump, availability, rebuildability? [message #133299 is a reply to message #132847] |
Mon, 04 July 2011 13:17 |
Andrew
Messages: 213
Registered: April 2011
Location: Connecticut
Karma: 0
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Regarding hoses:
The low pressure side is pretty straightforward, I think:
- windshield wiper motor
- integral filter
- rubber hose (hose clamps on both sides)
- steel tubing
- rubber hose (hose clamps on both sides)
- power steering pump
I want to replace the hoses, but not the steel tubing (no reason to suspect it, and it looks relatively difficult).
A few questions:
Is the low pressure rubber hose a stock by-the-foot item at any car parts place? (Stratoflex 203-6?)
Is #3 a good place to splice in a power steering filter? (AutoZone part 2210)
Is there some magic to removing the integral filter for cleaning? It's feeling ready to round itself off inside my box end wrench. Can I use penetrating oil stuff on it safely? (I already did...it's still not coming loose, but hopefully the residue won't turn PS fluid into hydrochloric acid or somesuch). If I succeed in getting it loose, is there something that goes on the threads before I reinstall it?
Then on the high pressure side, we have:
- power steering pump
- bent steel tube/adapter
- rubber/steel braided hose (special fitting on both sides)
- steel tubing
- steering box
- bent steel tube/adapter
- rubber/steel braided hose (special fitting on both sides)
- straight pipe adapter
- windshield wiper motor
Again I'd like to replace the hoses, although only the PS pump end is removed presently.
A few questions here too:
I've read that the braided hoses are not stock or orderable parts, and must be made up specially by a hose shop. Is this correct?
Do I need some special dope on the threads for the install?
And not to be obtuse, but do those special fittings on the braided hose rotate so you can thread them onto the other pieces? I "unthreaded" one and in the process destroyed the hose. After two or three turns it started biting into the hose and ripping it apart. Are they one-time use fittings? Or was my hose just too deteriorated?
Thanks for any help...and Happy 4th of July!
1973 Sequoia 260 (since 2011)
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| Re: power steering pump, availability, rebuildability? [message #133364 is a reply to message #133299] |
Tue, 05 July 2011 07:00 |
Andrew
Messages: 213
Registered: April 2011
Location: Connecticut
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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I've resolved several of my questions, but have a new one.
I got the brass nipple off of the low pressure side of the wiper motor, expecting to find a filter in there, but it was a straight through pipe. No detente for a filter or anything. Am I looking in the wrong place?
I added the inline filter from AutoZone to the middle of the return hose, near the wiper motor.
Headed to the hose shop to see what they can do to replace my wrecked pump-side high pressure hose. I'll take the measurement of the other (wiper motor-side) hose, in case it's simple.
1973 Sequoia 260 (since 2011)
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| Re: [GMCnet] power steering pump, availability, rebuildability? [message #133370 is a reply to message #133364] |
Tue, 05 July 2011 07:37 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Andrew,
Someone just beat you to the removal of the filter screen in the brass
nipple at the wiper motor. You did right to install the in-line
filter. With high pressure hoses between the pump and the steering
gear, and between there and the wiper motor, plus a low pressure hose
back to the reservoir (via the vertical steel line), you're in good
shape. Providing the wiper motor works OK; if not, let me know. :-)
Ken H.
Americus, GA
'76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI+ & EBL
www.gmcwipersetc.com
On Tue, Jul 5, 2011 at 8:00 AM, Andrew <reynhout@quesera.com> wrote:
>
>
> I've resolved several of my questions, but have a new one.
>
> I got the brass nipple off of the low pressure side of the wiper motor, expecting to find a filter in there, but it was a straight through pipe. No detente for a filter or anything. Am I looking in the wrong place?
>
> I added the inline filter from AutoZone to the middle of the return hose, near the wiper motor.
>
> Headed to the hose shop to see what they can do to replace my wrecked pump-side high pressure hose. I'll take the measurement of the other (wiper motor-side) hose, in case it's simple.
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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