Steering problems

[RHanna]

The last couple times I went offroad everything seems to work fine but after a while (maybe a couple of hours) my pump starts whining and the power doesn't seem to working if at all. This is even on level ground if I'm sitting still it's difficult to turn the wheel. I don't drive my jeep a whole lot around town but I've never noticed a drop in steering performance.

Just went out to the garage to turn the steering wheel while the front is off the ground. I could see a little bit of tiny bubbles after turning the wheel back and forth about 20 times with the engine off. I went back to the front of the jeep and noticed a puddle and it's leaking from the top of the steering box. I've never noticed a leak before and I checked the level and things looked good. Turned the jeep on and turned the wheel back and forth but it doesn't seem to leak.
If I had to guess I would have thought the steering box would be more likely to leak while the jeep was running.

Lots of questions.
1) Do you think the pump is failing? Is there a rebuild kit for steering pumps or should I just go to rockauto and buy a new one?
2) Should I go ahead and rebuild my steering box? Should I try to tap the box? How do you keep metal shavings out of the hole that doesn't drill all the way through (green arrow)?

3) I don't think I'm ready to go hydro assist for 2 reasons. first, I'm not sure I need it. second, the cost is pretty steep if you go PSC. Would adding a cooler help keep the pump happy?

 

[macleanflood]

I put a red head steering box on my 97. They'll send them out tapped for hydro if you want.

Might want to consider a power steering cooler.

I'm starting to suspect my pump too... something oily occasionally fountains under the hood. Might be coolant overflow too.

-Mac

 

[tworley]

The pump may or may not be toast depending on how low your PS fluid got.

There is a rebuild kit for the saginaw gear - Power Steering Seals # PSS.SB.JEP.004.

An incredibly good video on how to rebuild the saginaw gear. Includes how to tap if you're inclined:

Buying a new (used) steering gear is a crapshoot. What happens on the saginaw steering gear is that after so many miles, the worm gear gets worn out and there is no way to replace it. Its either find another box that has an acceptable amount of play, or go completely new ($$$). If your box has little to no play, I would rebuild and reseal it using the above.

 

[LONGJP2]

I would start with Lucas PS Stop Leak.

 

[RHanna]

@hosejockey61 great video.

Is there a way to tell if the worn gear is worn out without pulling it out. Even if I dissassemble would someone that's never done this before be able to tell if it's worn beyond repair? Just wonder how often you see a worn worm gear.

 

[hosejockey61]

@hosejockey61 great video.

Is there a way to tell if the worn gear is worn out without pulling it out. Even if I dissassemble would someone that's never done this before be able to tell if it's worn beyond repair? Just wonder how often you see a worn worm gear.

Not that I'm aware of. When you remove it you can inspect it closely for any unusual wear or pitting.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

What you are describing happening offroad - the steering fighting you after a few hours - sounds like a heat problem. You may or may not have other problems going on, possibly caused by overheating. Either way, a steering cooler will help.

 

[divco12]

I put a red head steering box on my 97. They'll send them out tapped for hydro if you want.

Might want to consider a power steering cooler.

I'm starting to suspect my pump too... something oily occasionally fountains under the hood. Might be coolant overflow too.

-Mac

The fluid will get hot, and will get foam / air bubbles from agresive driving. Will act as if it is low on fluid. Install a oil small cooler................https://www.summitracing.com/search...Order=Ascending&keyword=power steering cooler

 

[RHanna]

Not that I'm aware of. When you remove it you can inspect it closely for any unusual wear or pitting.

Out of the entire video, drilling the one hole that doesn't go all the way through worries me the most. Not really the depth but how do you keep shavings out? Do you have to flush it really good with a ton of break cleaner?

 

[hosejockey61]

Out of the entire video, drilling the one hole that doesn't go all the way through worries me the most. Not really the depth but how do you keep shavings out? Do you have to flush it really good with a ton of break cleaner?

Yes. Not a big deal since the box is apart. I use a magnet first to get the big stuff and then brakleen down the hole. It all comes out where the end cap is. If you aren't rebuilding the box, then I would have it tilted so shavings don't go down that hole. Stop frequently and magnet the bits out.

 

[RHanna]

Anyone know if the PSC steering fluid is worth it or just go with any synthetic? I bought a psc pump and that’s what it recommended.

 

[Lanzg]

Anyone know if the PSC steering fluid is worth it or just go with any synthetic? I bought a psc pump and that’s what it recommended.

The PSC (Swepco) fluid is great, but don't let it hold up getting back on the road, any good quality clear power steering fluid will do, especially if you run a cooler. I wouldn't get too concerned about synthetics we never found any that were just that much better, especially for regular wheeling. I wheel on what ever, race on Swepco.

 

[mudmaster]

Anyone know if the PSC steering fluid is worth it or just go with any synthetic? I bought a psc pump and that’s what it recommended.

I'm using Swepco mainly cuz I think PSC will not warranty their components otherwise.

 

[Lanzg]

I'm using Swepco mainly cuz I think PSC will not warranty their components otherwise.

That would be a very recent change if so.

 

[mudmaster]

That would be a very recent change if so.

In my experience their customer service is crap.

 

[Lanzg]

In my experience their customer service is crap.

I hate that's been your experience, that's what I did there for a decade or better. If you ever need anything and can't get satisfaction as far as tech goes, hit me up, I still spend alot of my day talking about steering. I had a lot to do with alot of their products and am still tight with everyone there.

 

[RHanna]

@mrblaine

Ordered the stock cooler setup and just wanted to double check before installing everything. I hate wasting parts and doing things more than twice if I can help it.
Green circle (assume the hose is cut to length) and I use the 90 degree push fittings with the shark bit clamps connects to the cooler.
Yellow circle comes out of the gear box and use a worm clamp goes to the cooler.
Red circle hose from the cooler to the reservoir with a worm clamp.

 

[mrblaine]

@mrblaine

Ordered the stock cooler setup and just wanted to double check before installing everything. I hate wasting parts and doing things more than twice if I can help it.
Green circle (assume the hose is cut to length) and I use the 90 degree push fittings with the shark bit clamps connects to the cooler.

Oetiker clamps but yes, the two push lock 90's attach to the cooler adapters. Screw the adapters in and use red loctite as a sealant. Never leaks and you don't cause a leak trying to break the flare loose.

Yellow circle comes out of the gear box and use a worm clamp goes to the cooler.

Correct.

Red circle hose from the cooler to the reservoir with a worm clamp.

Also correct but be very careful removing the old hose. Go ahead and split it first with a razor knife so you can remove it without breaking the fitting off of the reservoir.

View attachment 576679

The cooler mount tabs stay in the orientation they were shipped as.

 

[RHanna]

Screw the adapters in and use red loctite as a sealant. Never leaks and you don't cause a leak trying to break the flare loose.

Would professional PTSE tape be ok instead of red loctite? If not I can pull the cooler and install it the way you recommend.

Also correct but be very careful removing the old hose. Go ahead and split it first with a razor knife so you can remove it without breaking the fitting off of the reservoir.

The cooler mount tabs stay in the orientation they were shipped as.

Not a problem, I just went ahead and ordered a new PSC pump to replace my mopar pump. included reservoir and pulley

 

[mrblaine]

Would professional PTSE tape be ok instead of red loctite? If not I can pull the cooler and install it the way you recommend.

That's fine. Just be aware that the flare can sometimes lock on harder than the force required to turn the adapter fitting.

Not a problem, I just went ahead and ordered a new PSC pump to replace my mopar pump. included reservoir and pulley

If it is the aluminum reservoir, good luck. They tend to be noisy.