1973 CHARGER POWER STEERING PROBLEMS

[68rtnut]

BOUGHT BOTH PUMP,,,, FEDERAL,,,,  AND STEERING GEAR FROM LARES IN MINNESOTA ,,,,,TOP OFF  RESIVOIR,,, START ENGINE,,,, TAKES 2 ,,,,12   OUNCE   BOTTLES,,,, SO   PUMP WORKS,,,, THEN    NO ASSIST ,,,I AM PISSED    LOTS OF WORK WITH ZERO RESULTS ,,,,,,,ANY TECH GURU"s  GOT  SOME    IDEAS,,,, TURNED WHEELS  FULL LEFT AND  RIGHT  TWICE,,,,,NOTHING  ,,,,,,,I AM  THINKING  VALVE ON TOP  OF GEAR MIGHT BE  CONTAMINATED?//

[ODZKing]

Well, something told to me once has turned out to be true on a few occasions.
Just because it is new out of the box, doesn't mean it works.   
So, the rag joint is OK, you checked that? That would be sloppy but hey, good to check ... been there.
You put a new PS pump on and a new steering box, is that correct.  And it still is not working?
Is the box getting fluid? Do you have a clogged hose? Everything under moving freely?

[Steve P.]

Your steering hoses may be shot and playing check valve. This can happen due to the inner lining breaking down and causing a blockage. The same thing can happen in old brake hoses.

Your local parts store may have a gauge set that you can borrow to test you flow and pressure. If not, next best thing. 

I would remove the belt from the pump. Place a bucket under the steering box and remove the high pressure line. Then with the line over the bucket or drain pan, turn the pump by hand. See if you have good flow of fluid. This obviously won't push as much fluid by hand but you should see if you are moving fluid.

OR ---- Pull your coil wire. Remove the high pressure line at the steering box and carefully hold it over the drain pan and have someone else turn over the engine. Safer to turn it by hand...

If you have good flow, hook it back up and remove the return line and do the same test.

Good flow doesn't mean you have good pressure, but this is a place to start without the gauge.