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No Power Steering Pump For A Few Week, Need Advice

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Primer Coat, Jul 25, 2020.

  1. Jul 25, 2020
    Primer Coat

    Primer Coat New Member

    Ohio
    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2017
    Messages:
    32
    Thanks to much research on this site and a few answered questions I have my Saginaw steering system installed with a power gear box. Gentle road tests show great improvement in the steering and handling of the 62 CJ5. Now because life gets in the way it is going to be a few weeks before we can get the pump mounted. It actually steers easier now than with the Ross Box. I want to drive it some, but don’t want to damage the power steering box. I have read about running them dry (doesn’t sound like a good idea) or looping a line from the high pressure side to the low side. Any advice on this (like how to do it) would be greatly appreciated. What if I just put some Power Steering Fluid in the box, would that make it steer harder? As always pictures are very helpful.

    Thank you.
     
  2. Jul 25, 2020
    Oldriginal86

    Oldriginal86 Member

    Pasadena, Md.
    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2014
    Messages:
    589
    There are members here that have done just that, installed the power steering gear with no pump. The box is filled with fluid then a hose is looped from pressure to return.
     
  3. Jul 25, 2020
    Jonbbrew

    Jonbbrew Member

    Paso Robles, CA
    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2015
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    63C914CA-9ADB-47EA-9FD5-ABB32550CDE1.jpeg
    When i bought my 63, it had a very old saginaw PS box but nothing else. I am just about finished with fabricating and building a complete steering system and have replaced the box. But i drove the old box, probably with very little fluid in it, with the lines crimped off right out of the pump. So it can be done, especially if you fill it and it doesn't leak much. I feel you can definitely get by but it did make it interesting to steer with a small steering wheel.
     
  4. Jul 25, 2020
    Primer Coat

    Primer Coat New Member

    Ohio
    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2017
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    32
    The good news is I kept the original steering wheel as I like that look. What if I put some fluid in the box and the cap screws back on. I don't have any lines right now and would like not to buy three lines. One to loop, one to use pressure side with the pump, and one for the return side when using the pump. Thought on that please.
     
  5. Jul 25, 2020
    Jonbbrew

    Jonbbrew Member

    Paso Robles, CA
    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2015
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    739
    I guess it depends how long you would be doing that and what the "caps" are. If they are just plastic i may be concerned but if they are metal i am sure they will work. It will still pump and move fluid based on your turning as that is how you "burp" the air bubbles out. All you really need is a small section of metal line with the two matching fittings and put a bend in or just cut them and crimp like mine. not much cost.
     
  6. Jul 25, 2020
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2002
    Messages:
    12,529
    I’d loop the ports together after filling with fluid. The steering gear will act like a pump trying to flow fluid back and forth as you turn. You want a low resistance path for it to flow. Capping can cause hydraulic pressure to build in The steering gear. Last week I forgot about this fact when checking the lock to lock turns on a used, unknown condition Saginaw gear. It was on the workbench, I had capped off the ports with threaded plastic hydraulic plugs.
    Pressure built up, I turned a little harder, and it blew a plug out and very nasty stream of water and power steering blew across my shop soaking several cardboard boxes full of parts and an entry rug at the bottom of the stairs leading upstairs. Went a good 10-15 feet.
     
  7. Jul 25, 2020
    Jonbbrew

    Jonbbrew Member

    Paso Robles, CA
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    Mar 14, 2015
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    I agree to loop is better.
     
  8. Jul 25, 2020
    Primer Coat

    Primer Coat New Member

    Ohio
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    Jul 17, 2017
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    32
    I am convinced the loop is better, how bad would it be to run it dry for a few days. I would not be driving much more the 10 or 15 miles total.
     
  9. Jul 25, 2020
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
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    Jan 23, 2014
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    4,170
    I drove my Tux for 20 years with the Saginaw box looped. Go to your local NAPA store and buy a piece of pre-made metal fuel line, like the ready-made brake tubing. Get one that fits the steering box, though both ports are different sizes. You could check their Weatherhead brand fittings and cobble something together too. All you need are fittings that thread into the steering box that you can clamp a piece of fuel hose onto. There is not much pressure, only circulation of the fluid when steering.
    -Donny
     
  10. Jul 26, 2020
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2002
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    12,529
    About as bad as running your engine, transmission, or transfer case dry of that distance. The only lubricant in a power steering gear is the power steering fluid running through the system.
     
  11. Jul 27, 2020
    termin8ed

    termin8ed I didn't do it Staff Member

    Mason, MI
    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2002
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    4,418
    Yea, i wouldnt drive it without fluid or the fittings open to the elements. If it was an old box and wanted to see how long it would go thats one thing, but with a new box id wait or put the loop in
     
  12. Jul 29, 2020
    Primer Coat

    Primer Coat New Member

    Ohio
    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2017
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    32
    I am trying. Been to every Auto Parts Store in town and they act like the fittings I need are from outer space. According to the specs for my Cardone Gear box the Pressure side is 11/16 x 18 and the return side is 5/8 x 18. Any good and fast sources for these parts assuming I am not understanding what I need.

    Thanks.
     
  13. Jul 29, 2020
    Jonbbrew

    Jonbbrew Member

    Paso Robles, CA
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    Mar 14, 2015
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    What are you looking to do? Have hoses made?
     
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  14. Jul 29, 2020
    Primer Coat

    Primer Coat New Member

    Ohio
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    Jul 17, 2017
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    No not yet. Just want to loop a line from the high side to the low side so I can put some fluid in and drive it until we get the pump mounted. Then I will get the hoses made.
     
  15. Jul 29, 2020
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
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    junk yard trip . wrenches and hacksaw
     
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  16. Jul 29, 2020
    Jonbbrew

    Jonbbrew Member

    Paso Robles, CA
    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2015
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    If you can go to Napa. Typical part store personnel are not nearly as educated or car people. Just cashiers fir the most part. Or you can just make your own, as they have all the parts you would need.
     
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  17. Jul 29, 2020
    Primer Coat

    Primer Coat New Member

    Ohio
    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2017
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    Went to NAPA today. The guy acted like he never heard of the size fittings I need. He kept trying to sell me a hose or a brake line. I have both already. I ordered two fittings from Amazon today. It may take some redneck engineering to make them work but I am about to change my name to Bubba anyway. I like to buy local but there are limits. The NAPA guy did not even know who made hydraulic lines locally.
     
  18. Jul 29, 2020
    Steve's 70-5

    Steve's 70-5 Active Member

    Louisville, Ky
    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2009
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    1,381
    I got fittings and hose from Summit Racing. Russell Performance stuff. Got tired of buying stuff from a parts store and it not working.
     
  19. Jul 29, 2020
    Jonbbrew

    Jonbbrew Member

    Paso Robles, CA
    Joined:
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    I guess it depends on the Napa. Wow.
     
  20. Jul 29, 2020
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
    Joined:
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    4,170
    My local NAPA makes hydralic hoses, just about any size and shape. They resurface flywheels, in house, flare tubing ap to more than 1", mix automotive paint, and more. Maybe I'm just spoiled, though I seldom use them because their prices are pretty high, but they usually have what needed.
    Most NAPA stores have bin drawers full of Weatherhead brand fittings. You steering box may use inverted flare fittings, same as some fuel lines/carb fittings. These fittings should work for making a loop hose. Barb ends or push-lok fittings are adequate what you need.
    -Donny
     
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