Hey, I just changed the power steering pump on my brothers cruiser. He has a 91 TBI 350. The pump makes a high pitched whine. When the truck is idling, you can hear it especially. The reason I'm worried is because this is the second pump I'm putting in. On the first one, the shaft broke and it made the same noise beforehand. I know his old one didn't do that but maybe thats because the doner truck had already worn it in. If it is normal, when should it stop? Thanks!

It's not normal.

Why did you start replacing pumps? First one went bad? Next one went bad? Current one about to go bad? Think, think... something is burning your pumps up. Could be the box is bad. Could be you have a blockage in the lines or cooler. Could be your steering linkage is in extreme disrepair. Or it could be just really bad luck with the pumps. I'd start with the linkage and a fresh pump. If that doesn't help check the lines. Then the big job, the box. I bet it quits whining before you get to the box though.

TJK

The old pump was replaced because it leaked from the shaft. It worked perfectly fine, but it just leaked and our crazy neighbor wasn't liking it too much. I just drove the truck to work today and the steering worked absolutely fine. The conversion is recent and all the steering linkages are tight and where they should be. I'm gonna get my star this week so I'll post pics of the truck. The whining has actually quieted down quite a bit with no signs of the pump going bad. The previous pump went bad because the actual shaft broke. That was, naturally, a bad pump. I dont think the same thing will happen twice, but who knows. Also, whats the best way of draining all the power steering fluid? When I check the level of the fuild, its slightly white so I'm assuming there is a little water in the system. That may also explain the whine. :) Anyways, I'd like to have the fluid replaced tonight. Also, I need a new serpentine belt cause this one could use a replacement.

I think you need a bleeder to properly remove all the fluid from your system. Water in the fluid, that could be the whine right there. Good luck with it.

TJK

I'll change the fluid tonight! Hopefully that is the problem, cause that'll be an easy fix. :p

Sounds to me as if you still have air trapped in the system. When you installed the pump, did you raise the front of the truck off the ground and cycle the steering back and forth a few times to expel trapped air. Do this with the engine running, and reservoir serviced with correct type of PS fluid. BE advised there are two readings on the dipstick, hot and cold. Don't overservice the pump..................:skull:

Hey man,

Try some Lucas in the fluid. It is awesome stuff and will help you with the whine and any leaks in the box.

Lucas?

TJK

(who can't imagine why putting bad British electrics in the PS pump would help...)

Lucas oils, pretty good stuff.

I'll check it out, the pump in my 62 whines a bit.

Thanks!

TJK

I've read that running synthetic PS fluid makes a huge difference - and around here, it's only another $1 per quart.

I second the Lucus stuff. I put it in my 85 a while back and it made a hell of a difference. No more notchy feeling to my power steering...