Losing power assist when fluid warms up

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

MrHorsepowerLSx

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 25, 2021
Posts
277
Reaction score
586
Location
New Jersey
First Name
Jeffrey
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
K35
Engine Size
454
I’m having an issue with my PS. I have assist while the fluid cool on a cold start but once I start turning the wheel a few times the fluid gets hot and I loss my
Power assist. I have a new redhead gear box, and I pulled the pumps relief valve and cleaned it out and did a fluid flush. The pump is a reman from another truck. the truck is currently being restored and my thread can be found in the 4x4 section under K10 Rustorstion.

I have this ailing suspicion that the new gear box is garbage
 

MrHorsepowerLSx

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 25, 2021
Posts
277
Reaction score
586
Location
New Jersey
First Name
Jeffrey
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
K35
Engine Size
454
Pump is new

I’ve replaced or rebuilt everything on the truck as it is being restored
 

MrHorsepowerLSx

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 25, 2021
Posts
277
Reaction score
586
Location
New Jersey
First Name
Jeffrey
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
K35
Engine Size
454
Don't mean it's good just cause it's new
Exactly. I’ve had problems before with “new” things being bad

Redhead tech center called me back, they said to run atf in the pump and swap the pump first before sending back the box. I’ll try that and report back
 

MrHorsepowerLSx

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 25, 2021
Posts
277
Reaction score
586
Location
New Jersey
First Name
Jeffrey
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
K35
Engine Size
454
I heard from my local Napa that merc5 is good for powersteering pumps because they use merc5 to test rebuilt/new pumps. Just food for thought

I was told something very similar when redhead tech center called me back. They said they run ATF in the boxes because it runs cooler the standard PS fluid
 

MrHorsepowerLSx

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 25, 2021
Posts
277
Reaction score
586
Location
New Jersey
First Name
Jeffrey
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
K35
Engine Size
454
Well after farting around with the truck this morning and digging through some parts boxes I had a hydroboost unit and pump assembly. I harvested the pump and swapped it into my K10’s pump housing after a through cleaning and tahhdaa!!!! Power steering is currently staying and not overheating in the housing. My steering is also WAY easier than last pump. The pressure relief valve had no washers under the valve so that means full pressure all the time until it dumps over the relief. Thanks to all who contributed
 

Blue Ox

Turning Diesel Fuel Into Fun
Joined
Mar 27, 2018
Posts
4,896
Reaction score
10,849
Location
LI-NY
First Name
Derek
Truck Year
MCMLXXXV
Truck Model
K20HD
Engine Size
6.2L
I was told something very similar when redhead tech center called me back. They said they run ATF in the boxes because it runs cooler the standard PS fluid

Fine for the pumps, but it will make a hydroboost leak. Ask me how I know.
 

Blue Ox

Turning Diesel Fuel Into Fun
Joined
Mar 27, 2018
Posts
4,896
Reaction score
10,849
Location
LI-NY
First Name
Derek
Truck Year
MCMLXXXV
Truck Model
K20HD
Engine Size
6.2L
…………..how do you know :)
Funny.

We had two fail when the truck was new. The third one, we switched to PS fluid and it's still in the truck today.

BTW, the factory fill was Dexron. The manual called for it too. No mention of PS fluid.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
42,158
Posts
910,280
Members
33,655
Latest member
djisurfli
Top