Power steering troubles.

[FastGallopingPonies]

Alright guys here is my situation. My Gear box leaks from the Pittman arm seal, the car has done this since I got it, but she has also been sitting. Now my steering is rediculously stiff you have to muscle it to get it to move really. When the car is in motion it is better but not very much. I put some ATF in it when I first started bringing her back to life. That didn't seem to do much, besides leak out. I grabbed a bottle of penzoil? Power steering fluid with the leak stopper, it seemed to slow the leak a bit but the steering is still really stiff. So what is it guys? Did my Pump crap the bed? I was going to Take the gear box off but I can't loosenthe 3 bolts holding the damn thing to the frame I hit them with a 225lb. ft Impact gun that didn't even touch them after a kroil soaking. so I'm hoping it's the pump I can live with the leak and I'm pretty sure I could replace that seal with the box still on the car? I ordered a Haynes manual which will hopefully be in tomorrow which will help me a lot in my quest with this car. I just need some guidance with the power steering issue.

Thanks, Dave

[gadget73]

How bad does it leak? If its really pissing fluid, it might just not be building enough pressure internally to function. If you put the engine in neutral and rev it some, does the steering become easier? If so it sounds like it could be the pump getting weak. If not, the rotary valve in the steering gear might have shit the bed. Usually the steering boxes will just develop slop in them and start leaking, they don't seem to actually stop steering unless its got some internal binding going on. Was the system totally dry? If so you'll need to make sure the air is burped out before it'll work properly. Usually I put it up on stands, idle the engine and turn the wheel slowly from stop to stop, adding fluid as needed.

[FastGallopingPonies]

Alright I'll try liftin' up the front end and doing that. The leak isn't real bad but it is bad enough where the system will completely bleed out over the course of about a week it doesn't seem to bad anymore while the car is in motion but it is still pretty stiff I think for a power steering system. But I'll try what you said and let you know.

[N A]

I'm having the same leaking steering box problem. It squeals wicked loud when it's cold. If I turn it lock to lock, it helps a little but I still get the squeal. I've been using Lucus power steering leak stop, but no luck. This stuff is as thick as maple syrup, but it still leaks. I'm probably going to have to replace the steering pump.

[Lincolnmania]

na: tighten or replace your belt
fgp:sounds like the ps pump shit the bed......probably close to 18 yrs old.....the pitman seal can be replaced, you need a pitman arm puller to remove the pitman arm, ant the seal can be replaced with the box in the car.....just make sure that theres not excessive play in the steering box itself.....if there is and it needs to be replaced, youre gonna need a 1/2" breaker bar to get those steering box bolts free......that 225 ft lb air gun you mentioned is a toy......my snap-on 3/8" impact has 375 ft lbs of torque lol and my big gun has 650 ft lbs of torque

[N A]

Dave: Sorry for the .

Scott: It's only the belt, not the pump?

[Lincolnmania]

mostlikely........boxman just replaced a newer belt cause it wouldnt stop squealing

[gadget73]

depends if its belt squeal or power steering pump moan. If the pump moans loudly, its probably from air. If its a high pitch shriek, the belt is slipping. Probably does it more in the cold morning because the fluid in the pump is harder to move, and the alternator is loaded up trying to charge the batt, plus the rubber is harder because its cold.

[85crownHPP]

I thought my pitman seal was leaking but it was just a bad leak from the hose running down the gearbox.