New Saginaw Pump - no power steering

[crutch]

I just installed a new saginaw power steering pump (from WildHorses) with a rebuilt power steering box and I've got no power steering. I was reading a post about possibly the pressure valve in the pump being stuck.

Should I start with checking that pressure valve? How do I reset that? Is there a particular type of fitting to use on this pump? I'm using an Aluminum -6AN AN6 Male Flare to 5/8 x 18 Male Thread Inverted Seat Adaptor Fittings Male Inv Flare Connector. I do have the Lee fitting that I used on the Explorer pump. Fitting, Straight, AN flare to Metric, Steel, inverted flare, -6 AN to 16mm x 1.5 Male Washer, Aluminum.

Thanks!

 

[DirtDonk]

Not sure, but subscribing to learn.
In the meantime though, you do have the pressure line plumbed to the forward port on the box, correct?
I'm guessing you have that correct because usually the result is a herky-jerky motion and all sorts of crazinness. But figured I'd check just in case.

Paul

 

[DirtDonk]

What about noise too?
Did you do an extensive bleed process? Even thought the Saginaw/Delphi pumps are not known for needing as much as the old Ford pumps, it might still happen. Especially if the lines are routed in a convoluted way that might trap air.

Paul

 

[hankjr]

I'm thinking that we need to use steel fittings for pressure side of power steering, not aluminum. If you are going to crack the system open at all, i would have a steel fitting ready to put in there.

2x on the bleeding and watch you fluid levels closely while you bleed.

Hank

 

[crutch]

Thanks Paul. I did plumb the high pressure pump side to the front of the gear box but didn't really do any bleeding. I filled up pump, started engine, it dropped a few inches, filled it back up and started engine and it has stabilized in fill level. I'm not noticing any noise.

What I've realized is there are so many variations of fittings in sizes and types even between different years of pumps and gear boxes. I did get the o-ring style correct fittings for the gear box but going to check the fitting on the pump.

I haven't done any bleeding, I'll search for instructions on how to bleed power steering but if anyone has any recommendations I would appreciate it. Thanks all!

 

[73azbronco]

Really need to jack front end off ground and cycle the steering back and forth slooooowwwwwwly while running to bleed it right.

 

[crutch]

Does anyone know what the correct fitting is for a new Saginaw Pump ordered from Wildhorses to convert to a 6AN hose. Does it require the 16m x 1.5 O-ring seal? https://www.jegs.com/i/Russell/799/648060/10002/-1

 

[garberz]

Does anyone know what the correct fitting is for a new Saginaw Pump ordered from Wildhorses to convert to a 6AN hose. Does it require the 16m x 1.5 O-ring seal? https://www.jegs.com/i/Russell/799/648060/10002/-1

No O-ring required for that fitting. Here’s the correct fitting.

https://www.wildhorses4x4.com/product/Fitting_6x5-8-18_Inverted_Flare/Bronco_HD_Delphi_Steering_Pumps

Aluminum fittings are not recommended for the pressures of a power steering system. They can be up to 1800psi. Always best to use steel.

Mark

 

[garberz]

.....I haven't done any bleeding, I'll search for instructions on how to bleed power steering but if anyone has any recommendations I would appreciate it. Thanks all!

This is how I bleed the power steering. AGR has a few informative videos on YouTube, an easy way to learn how this stuff works.

https://youtu.be/J51y_9PYXFQ

Mark

 

[crutch]

I swapped out the correct steel fitting on the pump. Since This steering box was just rebuilt I wanted to flush out the system so I took the return line from the steering box and attached a tube to run to a drain container. I also capped the return port on the pump. I have bumped the starter a number of times and been turning the wheels while in the air and not getting any fluid through the return line. I’ve attached a photo. Shouldn’t I have fluid in the return line? Should I start the engine and let it run? Any thoughts?

Thanks!

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[crutch]

I went ahead and started up the engine and I’m not getting any fluid flowing through the system. Something is blocked. Any recommended tests to isolate?


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[DirtDonk]

I'm not sure you can do this without totally aerating the fluid, but maybe the experts can chime in on whether or not you can run the high-pressure right back to the return with the clear hose to see if the pump is pumping, or if the blockage is in the gearbox.

It would be interesting, but it would be even nicer to avoid any unnecessary mess!

Good luck.

Paul

 

[garberz]

I’d say the pump isn’t pumping. If there were a blockage in the steering gear, the pump would build pressure. If that were the case, the pump would be making all kinds of noise.

Mark

 

[PaveBronco]

Might want to look further into the pump, the fitting that actually goes into the pump itself, not the one you just swapped out, is critical for flow rate. Also the spring and shuttle valve/relief valve. I'd pull the fitting off the back and make sure the shuttle valve moves freely and isn't stuck, and that there is a spring, and everything is in the right order.

 

[crutch]

Thanks, one thing I noticed is that when the engine runs there is no movement of the fluid in the pump reservoir which makes me think the pump shaft isn’t turning.


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[EPB72]

Saginaw/Delphi pumps fairly common shaft breaks ,,pull belt spin pulley probably will feel little to no resistence,,,sometimes pulley and part of shaft will pull out,, have one on bench at work from a few weeks ago

 

[welndmn]

Let's rule out some dumb stuff,
Because I see the flex hose in your picture, you have a explorer swap, maybe a 351?
What's your belt routing, are you spinning the pump the right way?

IT also could just be a bad pump, sometimes it happens right out of the box.

 

[ransil]

I swapped out the correct steel fitting on the pump. Since This steering box was just rebuilt I wanted to flush out the system so I took the return line from the steering box and attached a tube to run to a drain container. I also capped the return port on the pump. I have bumped the starter a number of times and been turning the wheels while in the air and not getting any fluid through the return line. I’ve attached a photo. Shouldn’t I have fluid in the return line? Should I start the engine and let it run? Any thoughts?

Thanks!

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remove the high pressure line going to the steering box and see if there is flow.

 

[PaveBronco]

Any updates, was hopping you got it fixed.

 

[crutch]

Thanks everybody, finally got a chance to install the new pump after the holidays and that did the trick. Thanks to WildHorses for fast and excellent customer service!


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