Squealy And Jerky Power Steering

I am looking for a place to start on steering issue before I start throwing parts at it.

I have a saginaw power steering swap, a two-hole knuckle, and a pretty flat/parallel tie rods. I also have 33x10.50 tires which I air down, and auto front locker. The power steering pump is with one, v-groove pulley. I already run a fan spacer, so don't really think I could put dual belts on it even if I found the right pulleys. The pump and box were new, but not souped-up and are just from a random car/truck (the type/part numbers are all in the saginaw steering thread).

On the Colorado switch-backs, my power steering squealed a lot and got jerky (not smooth when I turned the wheel, like it had dead spots). The fluid level was correct in the pump, the belt was as tight as I could get it, the belt is new, and I put belt conditioner on it with little affect. It was bad when in 4wd, but also prevalent in 2wd-low. It has always squealed at the far ends of steering, but this was far from the end and the jerkiness was new.

What is that a symptom of?

• Hot fluid ---> install and plumb a cooler?
• Not enough power ---> bigger/smaller pulley (if I can find one), different pump, different box?
• Not enough power ---> need a ram assist like Norcal has put on his and Steve's old jeep?
• something else?

thanks!!

 

Any chance that your system has air in it ?

 

Your Jeep sounds just like mine and it works well...too well! It's super easy to turn, like a 60's Chrysler. I don't think you need different components, maybe your pump is getting tired?

 

Let's determine if this is a belt squeal or a hydraulic relief squeal...

 

Super easy to turn is to high of pressure for your needs. You can tailor the pressure to the steering box by changing the pump relief valve.

 

Perhaps. But steering effort is more than a bit subjective. On a rough trail, I too prefer somewhat minimal effort. Obviously a different story if the vehicle sees mostly on-road time. And maybe it's because Doug and I have matching shoulders.

 

I would start by putting in a good cooler. May not fix the problem, but will be done when you do.

 

Any chance that your system has air in it ? - Very possible, but I have been running it for 2-3 years, so I would think it would all come out by now. I'll look into how to purge it since a cooler would require the same thing.

I'll pull the belt and see what the pump feels like by hand. I don't really like my pump anyway since I didn't realize the return fittings were all differently oriented and mine comes out in an inconvenient spot and required some bending.

When the dead spot would show up (which was intermittent) it was just off center, even when there was no squealing if that matters.

 

Any chance of debris or dirt in the fluid? What does it look like?
You mention the fittings are difficult; perhaps a restricted/ kinked line? Have you tried turning the wheel slowly to duplicate the problem?
Just some suggestions...

 

If the dead spot is repeatable and in the same steering position every time I would have to suspect there is an internal issue with the box.

If there is internal damage than any debris could cause the restriction downstream and intermittently cause the pump to load up.
Debris may be cause or effect of the dead spot

 

I've Got a Used pump & pulley , from a A '70 CJ5.......I Think ? PM me if interested, OK ?

 

Used pumps and steering boxes can be iffy. When I put mine in, the steering box made a hard left turn on its own.
My arm was trapped in the spokes of the steering wheel as I had reached through it to turn the key. Tilt column
ignition switch. Thought it was going to break my arm before I could get to the key. Left a nice spoke impression
on it for awhile. Granted it had set for awhile and I also ended up brazing a small rust hole in the reservoir of the pump.
The box became a core for a rebuilt unit.

 

I totally understand but when I first installed my steering box it was so effortless that I could have cut the wheel off and used the hub to drive down the road using two fingers to steer with.

 

Also make sure the belt is griping on the sides of the belt to pully and not riding in the bottom of the pully.