61 series 62 power steering

[jerry freeman]

just replaced leaking power steering box with rebuilt box by BAP (buyautoparts.com) $149 after core return.  Bled air several times, no more bubbles. With tires off the ground and car running steering wheel only turns freely 1/2 turn either direction then gets VERY hard to turn any further. When driving its OK but not like it should be. Manuevering at low speed is NG.  Bad box??  something else?

[savemy67]

Hello Jerry,

With the wheels off the ground, the engine should not be running when turning the steering lock to lock.  With the wheels off the ground, and the engine off, you should be able to turn the wheels lock to lock with moderate effort.  This is the procedure for bleeding the system with this style of box (Saginaw 800).

If you cannot turn the steering lock to lock, with the wheels off the ground and the engine off, I would suspect a bad steering linkage or suspension component, or a bad box.  Prior to replacing the box, was the steering satisfactory?

Rspectfully submitted,

Christopher Winter