Power Steering Squeel

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danzey

Junior Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2024
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11
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14
Location
Kansas
First Name
Danzey
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
k10
Engine Size
350
I recently updated my 86 k10 with the following:

Skyjacker single steering stabilizer
New Cardone power steering pump and pulley
New Gates Premium power steering belt
Borgeson Quick Turn steering gear
new pressure and return hoses
Jeep Steering shaft retro mod
Bled all air from the system - with new PS fluid

The truck drives like a new modern vehicle and I love the setup (wish I would have found the Borgeson early when working on my son's OBS truck)

3" lift 33" tires if it matters....

The issue:

When idling parked on either sand or pavement the power steering system squeels if you turn the wheel. It's fine when you are in motion, but squeels if you need to turn the wheels at a stop.

I feel that the belt is plenty tight - my only thought is if the pulleys aren't aligned very well or the water pump pulley is shot. What am I missing?
 

PrairieDrifter

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Dec 28, 2014
Posts
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Location
North Dakota
First Name
Mason
Truck Year
84,79,77,76,70,48
Truck Model
Suburban k10, bonanza k10, k30, k20, c10, gmc 1/2ton
Engine Size
350, 350, 350, 350, 350, 350
I recently updated my 86 k10 with the following:

Skyjacker single steering stabilizer
New Cardone power steering pump and pulley
New Gates Premium power steering belt
Borgeson Quick Turn steering gear
new pressure and return hoses
Jeep Steering shaft retro mod
Bled all air from the system - with new PS fluid

The truck drives like a new modern vehicle and I love the setup (wish I would have found the Borgeson early when working on my son's OBS truck)

3" lift 33" tires if it matters....

The issue:

When idling parked on either sand or pavement the power steering system squeels if you turn the wheel. It's fine when you are in motion, but squeels if you need to turn the wheels at a stop.

I feel that the belt is plenty tight - my only thought is if the pulleys aren't aligned very well or the water pump pulley is shot. What am I missing?
It's most likely the belt tension. So something in that system isn't happy.

I've daily driven on 33' and 35's in my burban for a long time now, haven't had an issue. Still original pulleys and power steering pump.
 

Ricko1966

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Joined
Apr 11, 2017
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Location
kansas
First Name
Rick
Truck Year
1975
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350
One thing you are missing is the difference in torque multiplication from a quick ratio box to a standard box.The power steering pump has to work harder because the box is working harder. I'd make darn sure my pulleys were aligned,and sanded,so there is no glaze. Once you glaze the belt or the pulley you're going to keep fighting it. The water pump pulley is only an idler in the situation and will not create your squeal. It is either the driving pulley,or the driven pulley.If I put in a quick ratio box and bigger tires I'd do a frame reinforcement,regardless of if I had cracks.
 

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