I went for a long drive yesterday, and suddenly as I was turning left I had no power steering. It only happened a few times and only at idle. If I would speed the engine up I would get power back. The belt is not slipping and there is proper fluid level in it. Any idea what might be going on here? Just a month ago I did a jeep grand cherokee steering box swap, but kept my old pump and lines.

The lady at Lees told me that could happen. Im pretty sure the pump does not spin fast enough or does not pump the volume the Jeep box needs. You could call them and ask, seem to be great people.

The lady at Lees told me that could happen. Im pretty sure the pump does not spin fast enough or does not pump the volume the Jeep box needs. You could call them and ask, seem to be great people.

Hmm, so why does it work sometimes, and then now just started? I will adjust the valve.

Hmm, so why does it work sometimes, and then now just started? I will adjust the valve.


Then why didnt you do that before you posted?

It is a problem that comes and goes FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND.

Then why didnt you do that before you posted?

It is a problem that comes and goes FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND.

Well I heard that its the older pumps, mine is from a 74 I believe, so the pressure SHOULD be adequate. Also, when I installed it, it went lock to lock no problem at idle. This just started on a long drive I took, but then kinda went away.

Try changing your fluid?:confused:

Try changing your fluid?:confused:

Well when I did the conversion I drained the old stuff and put new fluid in. I took it for a drive today and it didnt happen. Maybe just after long drives when it gets hot. Does that make and sense? :confused:

When it happened it was only at idle and was as if I had no power steering, a little gas and I had power, then it worked fine the rest of the drive.

you need to take the valve from the power steering pump from the donor car the one that goes in the pump. Take that big nut off the back of the p/s pump and bring a magnet. make sure when you reinstall it you put it in the right way or you will definately not have any power steering.

you need to take the valve from the power steering pump from the donor car the one that goes in the pump. Take that big nut off the back of the p/s pump and bring a magnet. make sure when you reinstall it you put it in the right way or you will definately not have any power steering.

Im sorry can you clarify? What donor car are you talking about?

I drove it again today and it never happened. So if it were a valve issue wouldnt this be happening all the time? :confused:

I assume you removed the new steering box from the jeep grand cherokee that you said you swapped steering boxes from. You need the flow control valve from that vehicles power steering pump and swap it out with the low pressure one that is in your stock pump. Still not sure search for JIML82's article on swapping out the steering boxes and I believe it shows the valve and talks about the differences

I assume you removed the new steering box from the jeep grand cherokee that you said you swapped steering boxes from. You need the flow control valve from that vehicles power steering pump and swap it out with the low pressure one that is in your stock pump. Still not sure search for JIML82's article on swapping out the steering boxes and I believe it shows the valve and talks about the differences

Ragtp, I read that article long before I did the swap numerous times. I dont have a stock 68 steering pump, or so I dont believe. I am pretty sure it is from my 350 which is 76 vintage, which Jim sais has higher flow pressure.

Again, even if I did need the valve, why would it work perfectly fine, then just all of a sudden stop working?

Thanks for your help. :beers:

I don't know why it would intermittently act up but it would be a lot less expensive to try that first rather then replacing a pump. Usually pumps either work or they don't maybe leak a lil but mechanically they usually pump or they don't but if that control valve is undersized or sticking like I said would be much cheaper to go visit the local junkyard and grab it from any late model caprice/impala taxi cab or whatever they seem to be a dime a dozen. I'm not sure if it matters but I would grab the spring and the valve swap em out and see if that fixes it. I know that was probably hands down the best mod I have ever done to my chevelle. The quick ratio and the road feel are night and day different. Good Luck and btw your el camino looks GREAT

If your problem with lack of assist only occurs when you are steering left, then your problem is in the steering gear. Your power steering pump does not know if you are turning left or right. So a problem in one direction is always in the gear not pump.

However, if the problem goes away as you raise your engine rpms, that indicates that you do not have sufficient flow out of the pump. Raising the engine rpms increases the pump flow.

I would suggest that you replace your power steering pump.

Jim