May not be serious, just wanting suggestions. I bought Z28 not running. Placed a 350 in and used old accessories on motor. I now have no power steering. The V-belt system is on( 2 belts to p/s pump) and I do not loose fluid. There is no jerking in the steering wheel as if the belts are slipping. There is no squeal or any odd noise. It acts as if there are no belts on the pump at all. I painted a stripe on pump pulley to be sure it turns with out slipping. Belts are turning pulley fine. In all of your opinion, would this be the pump gone bad, the gear box, or the lines between the two? I am on too tight of a budget to replace it all but I am not sure how to check each to eliminate one or the other. Any ideas????

 

If there were a blockage in the lines that will not allow fluid to flow out of the pump you'd hear the whine of the pressure relief valve. Most likely you've just got something binding up causing hard steering. Try disconnecting the pump pulleys completely to see if there's a change in steering effort.

 

Nice to hear the lines are not the problem. I still have the pump and gear box to eliminate. Something said at work today made sense...If the pulley is turning, could the pump not work? I guess it was in reference to pulley slipping on shaft or pump hollowed out. It acts as if there was no power steering pump at all. Drives fine at speed( as all would with out a pump). No catches in wheel or hard spots. I am still at a loss. The only time this condition is a problem is when sitting still or very slow movement. It requires way too much arm effort to turn steering wheel.

 

BTW...I have the stock size steering wheel on. Not one of the tiny replacement ones you can buy( like made of chains .

 

My guess would be a shot pump.
Ever throw a belt? Same feeling.

 

I have thrown a belt and if is just like that feeling. I am going to try a p/s pump first.