Mechanic installed a new (rebuilt) steering gear box on my 87 GN. He took the car for a test drive and all was well for a couple blocks, then he lost the power steering. I called Cardone and the tech said it is possible that a piece of the 25 year old rubber hose broke off, causing a restriction somewhere, either in the gear box or the power steering pump. He said to check temperature of the power steering fluid first. The car had some slop in the steering before this operation, which is why I wanted a new gear box. The power steering was fine. So I left my car at the shop and they will see what they can do tomorrow. Any suggestions?
Big problem after installing new steering gear box
- Thread starter GNRick
- Start date
Welcome!
By registering with us, you'll be able to discuss, share and private message with other members of our community.
NEVER ENOUGH
Tim
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2008
- Messages
- 975
If it were me. I'd check to make sure he evacuated all the old fluid first. If I were to replace the box, I would have also went in for new lines, but that is a different issue all together. Make sure he bled the system real well. If he didn't, and then ran it too long, it may have taken a toll on the pump IMO. Also make sure all the lines are tight and no leaks, any air getting in the system could spell trouble, especially if the pump sucks air.
Yes he said he drained the lines and added all new fluid. When I was there he tried to snug up the fittings to the gear box but they were already tight. He let the car sit with the motor running about 5 minutes and also turned the steering wheel several times to try to get any air bubbles out. Is this how you bleed the system? Also, the pump is not whining or making any noises. So he suspects it is the gearbox, but would a bad gearbox feel like you have no power steering? I guess I'm wondering if a tiny piece of hose broke off and lodged in the box or the pump, how would it be removed? Could it be picked out or would the pump or gear box have to be replaced? I guess it would depend on the size of the piece of hose?
NEVER ENOUGH
Tim
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2008
- Messages
- 975
To bleed the lines, they should have lifted the front of the car, and did lock to lock turns several times before even starting the car.
edit: http://www.pscmotorsports.com/pdf/tech/bleeding.pdf
edit: http://www.pscmotorsports.com/pdf/tech/bleeding.pdf
NEVER ENOUGH
Tim
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2008
- Messages
- 975
I just did this process (several times). Hope it helps and he didn't smoke the pump.
Several times on the same car? That is a lot of turning the steering wheel if it was all on one car! Please let me know. Thanks.
NEVER ENOUGH
Tim
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2008
- Messages
- 975
Replaced the pump, long story, wrong pump, re-replaced pump, then line leaked, replaced line.....blah, blah, blah...
Lots of bleeding, and 10 quarts of Royal Purple fluid later, it works.
Lots of bleeding, and 10 quarts of Royal Purple fluid later, it works.Ok, thanks for the clarification. So just following the instructions and turning the steering wheel 10 -15 times, checking fluid level, etc. should be sufficient? I have my fingers crossed.Replaced the pump, long story, wrong pump, re-replaced pump, then line leaked, replaced line.....blah, blah, blah...
It appears to be the gear box at fault, since the power steering pump isn't whining and this problem began with the new gear box. Anyway, I bought another gear box and he will install it tomorrow. A couple notes: (1) the allen screw on the box I picked up today has 4 -6 threads showing on the allen screw, just like on the box that came on this car and on my two other GN's. The allen screw on the "defective" box only has 2 threads showing..... (2) This mechanic has had bad luck with Cardone power steering pumps and advised me to get steering parts which were not remanufactured by Cardone, such as those sold by Advance.
Well, I had high hopes for the new steering box. Turns out Cardone sent the wrong box (although the part # was correct on the cardboard box). Also, someone painted over the green spot on the allen screw which indicates if the screw was messed with. So now the mechanic removed the original box and installed one, then removed it and found out the new one was incorrect and reinstalled the defective box. Two labor charges and nothing has been fixed. I ordered another one from Advance this time, should be here Monday or Tues. The mechanic warned me against using Cardone parts.
One more update for you guys. I called Fenco, the company that rebuilds them for Advance (also Lares does too). I told the tech that I had an 87 Buick Grand National. He came back and said they don't have a listing. So I gave him the part # from Advance website (SG16561), he looks it up and says "Oh it's a Regal". So this doesn't sound good, although it is for the GN (2-2.5 turns, FE2/FE3 suspension). Per Napa website, there is one with 32 splines and one with 25 splines. I asked him how many splines and he couldn't tell me as his tech sheet didn't say. I counted mine and it is 25 spline. He did say it has a 3/4" GM input shaft, which is correct. I didn't order it from Napa because they use Cardone. So I ordered it from Advance, will inspect it carefully before it gets installed. I used the 15% off coupon plus $50 off next order over $100.
So I check my email this morning and Advance canceled my order! I called them and they are out of stock. They will be sending me the Lares brand for the same price, expedited shipping, plus I still get $50 off next order. What more can go wrong?
NEVER ENOUGH
Tim
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2008
- Messages
- 975
So, what happened next? Any luck?
FYI- This is the one I thought about getting- Detroit Speed, Inc. - Products - 600 Steering Gear
FYI- This is the one I thought about getting- Detroit Speed, Inc. - Products - 600 Steering Gear
chopped39
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 30, 2004
- Messages
- 4,266
I just checked my napa prolink and they show two different boxes. The difference is with or without fe3 option. The number I pulled is nsp88277101 with fe3 for $126.10
Mechanic installed the Lares gearbox, power steering still doesn't work. So he orders a power steering pump from local parts store and they send the wrong one. Then he calls O'rielly's and they were able to get the right one. He installs the pump, test drives the car, everything seems ok. Turns out now, the steering wheel is about 45 degrees off. Mechanic says the pitman arm and the steering shaft can only go on one way, so it must be a problem with the gear box. I picked up the car and drove to Marietta, GA. to see my brother for Thanksgiving. I just got back. It is a 10 hour trip each way. I think the steering feels "lighter", like the new power steering pump makes turning the steering wheel easier. I kind of like it. The play in the steering is mostly gone too. Mechanic said to bring the car back this week, as he has a tool which lets him adjust the steering wheel, by adjusting something in the column. I guess he would rather do that than replace the steering box again.
Yes, he said there was 1 1/4 turns each way. I drove 1200 miles and nothing changed! That included some tight turn arounds in parking lots. Funny thing is, after he adjusts it, it will only be adjusted for the box that is on it. When I get a new box in 200,000 miles from now, the steering wheel will have to go back to where it was from factory, assuming the next box is correct. But by then, he will also have to install the flying car adaptor kit.
Similar threads
