power steering pump question

doing a power steering conversion so I got the pump(early GM) pump mounted, put on a fanbelt, put some fluid in and turned the Jeep over and I expected to see fluid coming out of one of the hoses. Nothing. Does the system need to be closed to pump fluid? How do you test a power steering pump?

 

Will be a vane type pump, so yes, it should be pumping fluid. It may be just trapped air. How long did you turn it over? It would have to be really wore out not to pump anything and they usually make a lot of noise before they get to that point. If the engine does not run yet, you might try jury rigging it to an electric drill to test.

 

Power steering pumps are low volume , high pressure. Just cranking it over won't produce much volume. Finish installing the system, jack up the front end and cycle the wheel back an forth with the engine running. If it doesn't quiet down after a few lock to lock cycles or provides little assist look into the pump for issues.

 

Thanks. I tink I will finish the shaft and mont the box and try again with everything connected. I did not crank it very long as the battery was low and I ran out of juice.

 

Holy #%*t, it works. Mounted the box, put ths steering shaft in, I had to cut and lehgthen it cuz I could not find the 5" long u joint, new ones are shorter. I got really lucky as the pump and box I picked up bolted right up. Started the Jeep up and I have power steering. Still amazed that I pulled this off. The question that remains in my head is the amount of "play" or up and down movement is needed in the steering coulmn. I had previously added a 1" body lift and never thought of this issue. While reattaching the upper u joint to the steering shaft where it comes thru the firewall, I found I had to push down on the steering wheel to compress the" spring action" in the steering shaft to get the set screw in on the u joint, shaft connection. I am guessing that this spring action "play" is needed for frame, body movement. At best I get maybe 1/2" of "play" when I push down on the steering wheel. I thought maybe loosening up and adjusting the coulmn hieght would adjust the "play" but it seemed to make no difference. Sorry for the long post and lack of knowledge but dammit Jim, Im a carpenter, not a mechanic. Again, thank you for your help and your input is greatly appreciated.