WTF! Is this PS pump bad??Emergency!!

[CAMAROBOY69]

I went to install my new rag joint and all this black fluid poured out of the PS pump that I just bought from Tyler. I tried calling him but I need instant feedback. Should I install this on my car??? Keep in mind I am also installing the Hydraboost at the same time and I really need to know if this will hurt anything. Black fluid doesnt seem normal to me at all. There are also tons of metal flakes in the fluid.

[CAMAROBOY69]

Someone has to know something.

[zbugger]

That's old fluid. The metal flakes may not be a good sign though. Don't hook it up to your steering gear yet. You really should flush the old fluid out and clean up the reservoir.

[Steve68]

Flush that box, old oil,

[Milow68]

The sparkles are coming from some place and my guess it is not good because after you hook it up more will come out...even if you flush it out. Just my .02 dealing with gearboxes at work.
Brad

[CAMAROBOY69]

I dont think I can justify putting this onto my car. You should see the metal pouring out of this. If I run my finger thru it the oil becomes almost white from the metal flakes. I havent even seen paint with this much metal flake in it. Looks like I will return this to Tyler and just buy a new one. I would hate to install this and have it ruin a brand new PS pump and the hydraboost. Just not worth it. Plus if I buy a new box I will have all brand new parts. New PS pump, New ps box, and new hydraboost. I will sleep much better at night knowing that I am not running a broken ps box. The last thing I want is to be at the track in April and have the box fail. That would suck really bad.

[Jagarang]

Thats your steering gear box not the power steering pump.

My 70 Chevelle steering bow had the same fluid come out of it when I tipped it over, but it didn't have much flake in it, just as a reference point.

[CAMAROBOY69]

Yes I had one typo. Its clearly the box and like I said above I have never seen that much metal flake in anything. Not even the last car I painted. And that car was blingo riffic. You can easily see the piles of metal flake in the 3rd pic. All those light spots are piles of metal.
Tyler is a good businessman and I am sure he will take this back so I can get a new one.

[Jagarang]

blingo riffic.

CLASSIC! Deffinitly one to remember!

Sorry, I didn't notice the typo.

[aonghus]

looks to me like someone drove their PS box without PS for quite some time, the exact same fluid came out of my stock box when i replaced it with an AGR unit

[TitoJones]

The vehicle that came off of drove perfect. It was a restored car that has about 3000 miles on it since rebuilding, but it has sat for a few months. The fluid I poured out of the pump was mostly clear, with some slight dis-coloration on it. I'd flush the box and pump with some new fluid, and re-check it. Tyler

[CAMAROBOY69]

The vehicle that came off of drove perfect. It was a restored car that has about 3000 miles on it since rebuilding, but it has sat for a few months. The fluid I poured out of the pump was mostly clear, with some slight dis-coloration on it. I'd flush the box and pump with some new fluid, and re-check it. Tyler

Tyler you can clearly see in the pics that this is no where near clear. Do you want me to get the camcorder and show you what happens. I really dont think thats necessary. Look at the pics. THat puddle of black on teh floor is no where near clear. If I say its black then its black. I have no reason to lie. There are piles of metal flake in there too.

[TitoJones]

Adam- I'm just stating what I saw when I had it in my possesion. There is metal that is not covered in fluid all over your garage floor. I also refunded you 60% of the purchase price with the shipping included, which I can tell you from expereince no Ebay seller or salvage yard would ever do. I don't sell anything off an old car that I didn't inspect or use myself prior to listing it here. Tyler

[CAMAROBOY69]

Tyler, I appreciate the 60% refund. I was just under the impression that you thought I was lying. I took that offensively. Especially as much as I support all of your products and the products I have bought from you. I desperately needed this pump and would have installed it last night until I saw all of that. Mabey this is a learning lesson for anyone that is going to buy or sell a steering gear box. TURN THE BOX WITH THE RAG JOINT FACING THE GROUND. Then rotate the pitman arm or rag joint in both directions several times. After that turn it so the rag joint faces up. Then do all of this again. Mabey one direction only pumps a certain part of the box. I only know what I saw. Who knows mabey it will be fine for the next person that gets it but I dont want to risk damaging my brand new Hydratech Hydraboost or a new PS pump. I am sure Paul would not want that fluid running thru his hydraboost either.

[Hydratech®]

I am sure Paul would not want that fluid running thru his hydraboost either.

You are correct in that statement!

Used steering boxes can have all kinds of muck / fine metal particulate hiding deep down inside of them, and shipping the parcel across the country most likely helped to agitate all of the muck loose (into suspension in the remaining fluid). The ports where also probably not positively plugged, and moisture may have turned some of the fluid a distinct shade of grey. The steering box most likely did work fine when removed (though full of hidden muck) Atleast Tyler is working with you on this...

[bretcopsey]

Hypothetically speaking, what if one were to flush the box by connecting the pump on the pressure side and running the return line to a bucket? And once the fluid was running clear, hook up the return line with a filter before the pump?


This is assuming the box shows no other signs of wear/slop....

[CAMAROBOY69]

There is way too much metal that came out of that BOX. Something inside is seriously worn out. I already have another used BOX coming from Jake(gmachine68). It should be here by next week monday or tuesday.
EDIT: I meant box not pump.

[BADVELLE]

There is way too much metal that came out of that pump. Something inside is seriously worn out. I already have another used pump coming from Jake(gmachine68). It should be here by next week monday or tuesday.

With all of this said, why would you buy another used steering gear/box? You know the saying, burn me once, shame on you, burn me twice, shame on me! Just joking, I don't want anyone getting their pants in a ruffle, just a joke!

Seriously, I would say a new one should be in your future. Anyway, I hope you fare better with this one.

[CAMAROBOY69]

With all of this said, why would you buy another used steering gear/box? You know the saying, burn me once, shame on you, burn me twice, shame on me! Just joking, I don't want anyone getting their pants in a ruffle, just a joke!

Seriously, I would say a new one should be in your future. Anyway, I hope you fare better with this one.

Jake has been watching this thread and he physically did everything to the box that I told him to do and took pictures before sending it out yesterday. I have known Jake for a while and talk to him on a regular basis. Hes a great friend of mine and I trust him. He also gave me an INCREDIBLE deal on the box because he knew how bad I needed it. Believe me I was hesitant to buy it but I truly trust Jake.

[bretcopsey]

There is way too much metal that came out of that pump. Something inside is seriously worn out. I already have another used pump coming from Jake(gmachine68). It should be here by next week monday or tuesday.

Or maybe the pump that was attached to the box is what wore out and the box is still good. Either way, another used unit may have similar problems. A "rebuilt" from a parts store may not be good either. The only way to know for sure is to either buy new or have yours rebuilt by Lee, DSE etc-or take it apart youself.