Over a year ago, I had the power steering gear rebuilt by a reputable company that I have used in the past.
I was concerned, even before the rebuild, that the ps box was not creating sufficient hydraulic pressure. It seems that I have to use too much more force to turn the steering wheel.
I used to own a 1972 Buick GS and it was very easy to make turns and thus less strength to turn the steering wheel.
The ps oil in the ps box is almost new & at correct level. Hoses are good. The steering hardware, idler, tie rods, etc., are all good & greased. Belts are tight.
Experience & suggestions? how much strength does power steering in your car require to turn the Steering wheel ?

 

Have you bled all the air out of the system?
If you have the quick-ratio steering box, the effort will be more than your '72 Buick, but shouldn't be too hard (like manual steering)...

 

No air in ps system. The '72 Buick did have quick ratio steering

 

The steering in these cars are heavy compared to 60/70's cars and also modern cars. Hard to say if yours is acting normal, but it will definitely be heavier feeling than your GS was. Have you replaced the pump? If the pump is also new and you still don't like the feel, you can get a spring/shim kit for the pump to bump up the pressure in increase the assist.

 

The pump is original to the car that I purchased 2 years ago with 21000 miles. I have placed about 4000 miles since. It will cost me $200 cdn to rebuild. i will check out your idea & maybe try to rebuild myself &/or find a shim/spring kit & install myself. tkx

 

Is the steering always heavy or only when idling?
Wider or stickier tires than stock?

 

Tires are 245R60x15
It is heavier when idling but it is still heavy on the road. It is like driving a 1953 International ton truck. Thing is I was so used to the close ratio ps on my my 1972 Buick GS, I was disappointed.
I had big tires on 1970 Chevelle (L70x14) & no power steering & was not a heavy steering car. Little hard turning at near idle. Then again I grew up on a farm & no vehicles nor tractors had power steering.
I think that I will send the ps box to the rebuilders but ask him to test the hydraulic pressure output. Think that should be 1200-1400 lbs.
The rebuilder rebuilt the power steering box because the car wandered about on the road.

 

'Sounds like the car needs alignment...

 

You could save some time, money and improve your diagnosis, if you get a PS pressure hose from a parts store and take that to a hydraulic hose supply store, have 'em cut it and install a "T", then install that hose/T/and a pressure gauge so you can see what's happening. Additionally, if you want to "tune" your power steering using the method that "TransamGTA350" described, it'd give you a tool to see how far you're going and compare that w/the results that you're getting.

We did ^that^ recently at work w/a truck that we were struggling with as to why PS went away. We put in a new PS pump and it worked fine, for about 10 minutes of driving, the it'd lose PS. Installing a gauge instantly showed us that we were losing pressure at the same time that we'd lose power steering...PS pump was bad, right out of the box.

 

Tkx Tom. Good idea.