Hey guys. My S10 Jimmy has a new ARR pump and steering box. I have 35's with a front D44 with high steer and heim joints. No hydro assist.
Problem: with front end on the ground steering gets harder and harder to turn, until it will finally just not move at all. If I give it some throttle it will turn but at idle, nada. Weird thing is if I jack up the front end and get the tires off the ground It turns with one finger. Nothing is binding and everything is tight. With the tie rod off, both wheels turn no problem.
I'm stumped!!! Anyone have an idea of WTF is up?
Oh, and it was doing it before the new pump and steering box, but not to this extent.

well naturally it will turn easier off the ground because there is no weight on the tires. If you're having a hard time turning the wheel at idle but its better with gas I would think it would be the pump, cuz when you give it gas its spinning the pump faster. Any air in the lines or anything? Stupid question but after everything was installed and ran did you turn the wheel back and fourth several times and get all the fluid circulated and check the fluid again? Chances are it will be low and you'll have to add more...I'm assuming you know that though...

If the pump makes noise, then there is still air in the system.

Turning bigger tires at a dead standstill on drypavement is a chore that even the most brawny of men would hate. Try to have some feelings for your steering....

Cycle your steering back and forth from side to side with the motor running for a while. Sometimes trapped air takes a while to get all out.

Maybe a smaller pulley on pump??

What year S-10? Also is it the stock steering box or did u change it over to a Astro steering box that most lifted SAS S-10 are using?

I'd try what GMCTruxrule said, sounds like you might need to bleed the system a little more. Put the front up on jack stands and cycle the steering slowly back and forth, check the fluid level again, and check for foam or frothing in the reservoir.


It could also be your steering geometry, what hi steer arms and pitman arm are you running?

Thanks guys. The pump isn't making any noise at all. I have turned it stop to stop many many times and the level is perfect, no foaming and the fluid is warm but not hot. I liked the pully idea, but it doesn't do it all the time. I am looking for the reciept for the high steer arms, my failing brain can't remember what brand they are. Its a 1991 and the old box is gone. It has a new ARG steering box and pump.

If it is getting worse over time then it is probubly overheating...do you have a cooler on it? You are never going to get good steering out of it with out assist or full hyd however.

If the pump and box are both new, I would be calling AGR and asking WTF!

FYI, I had trouble with mine doing the same thing as you (and I have hydro assist too) until I put a smaller pulley on. I got it from PSC and it made an immediate difference at idle. Money well spent IMO!

Now that it has been brought up, I bet the pully is the problem. Still kind of weird though. I will let you know the outcome. Any more info will be much appreciated.