Now that my truck - a 1991 S10 Blazer 4 door 4x4 with the TBI 4.3 - is running fantastic, I need to focus on the steering.

The problem is that there is no power assist AT ALL. The reservoir is full, it is circulating when the engine is running and makes no noise at all. I lifted the truck in the air and took off the cap and turned the wheel back and forth about 40 times with the engine off. No help there. There are no leaks either.

Do you think I need a pump or a steering box? It turned quite easily when it was in the air so I am not convinced the box is bad.

Any ideas?

 

Come on, anyone have any ideas? I'd really like to start driving my truck and just don't have the strength to turn the wheel...It's hard to turn at any engine RPM.

 

I guess I'll find help elsewhere...[sm=bangbang.gif]

 

I am sorry that it seems like no one wants to help you. Quite simply in my case, I never received notification that your thread even existed. If you feel put out, that is your prerogative, but you have to realize that no one here is being paid to give you free advice.

About your issue, here are the causes which come from the service information I have on your truck:
[ol][*]Brakes applied while turning steering wheel. (I am not sure why that is there)[*]Joints from column to steering gear loose or worn.[*]Sticky steering gear valve.[*]Insufficient pump pressure.[*]Excessive internal pump leakage. (which would lead to no. 4)[*]Excessive internal steering gear leakage.[/ol]Testing the pressure requires an additional hose and the appropriate adapter to put a pressure gauge inline on the pressure side.

When you did your system bleed, did you notice any foaming of the fluid?

 

Thank you. I didn't mean to come off like a jerk, just seeking help.

One pump later and it works again. The shaft had broken on the old one.

Now to replace the pitman arm and rest of the steering and maybe I won't have to start turning 2 miles before my actual turn.