Hello all,
Trying to get some advice on an issue I ran into. I have a 84 Buick Lesabre 307 OLDS. I don't have the ability to run my power-steering pump. Long story, just don't let anyone help you with your car unless your sure they are not stupid and break important pieces.

Anyway my gearbox **** the bed because I can not run the PS pump. I can get a new PS gear box (120 bucks), but it will probably stop working with in the year.
I heard that if I connect the lines together where they're supposed to go to the PS pump. And fill the gear box with PS fluid, it can make the life span go past the year.

I tried to find a Manual steering gearbox, but had no such luck. And im not sure if i can have a welder modify my set up to run a different cars manual steering gearbox.
Thank you for your time

 

New steering gear? Connecting lines together? Manual gearbox (for a car that, as far as I know, was never available with one)? Welder?!?

Why not just put a pump back on it? What, exactly, is wrong that is worth all this trouble?

Finally, what went wrong with your power steering box?
If you are just using it as a manual box, without a pump attached (great upper body builder ), it should last essentially forever.
There is no need for the pump or the hoses - there should be enough oil inside to keep everything lubricated, so long as you don't pour water into it, or anything like that.

Welcome to ClassicOlds.

- Eric

 

The manual steering box from a 1964-72 GM A-body car will bolt up to your B-body. You just need to swap the pitman arm from your old box. I wouldn't recommend it, however. Those old manual boxes are about 400 turns lock-to-lock. Back in my young and stupid days, I did run a hose between the ports on a (formerly) power steering box in my 68 442. That's the same box in your 84, by the way. It worked fine for many years, and it was the best upper body workout you could ask for.

I'm with Eric on this one. What's so difficult about simply installing a new pump?Unless you tell us the mounting ears on the block have broken off (which will be a much bigger problem than just the steering), this is a totally bolt-on proposition.

 

Perked my curiosity also?

 

X2

 

Thank you for your replies.
The car was off the road for a while and it is my daily driver. I removed the AC since it never worked and I needed to get to my plugs. That caused that "squeal from hell" I heard people talk about. I tried like 18 times to readjust the power steering on it as many people argue the cause and solution of that squeal. I have yet to get it so it doesn't squeal. tried numerous times with numerous people. I was shredding belts, I was running low on money and need the car to get to work. Then a some kid who was trying to help me adjust the PS pump, snapped my alternator mount. Using it as leverage. Got that Welded. And now I run a belt directly to water pump. to avoid the squealing. I know i can find another pulley set up, but I don't have much money. Rent and groceries, pay checks don't go as far as they used to.
I dont mind the manual steering, it is a great workout and if you can use momentum, it really isnt that bad. It basically comes down to money. I want to redo the car some day, but for now it is my DD.

 

So once again, the squeal is due to an improperly adjusted PS pump. I've said this many times before, but here we go again: I have personally left the A/C belt off of my 307 and run the engine with NO squeal whatsoever. I do, however, follow the proper method for adjusting the PS belt as described in the Chassis Service Manual. If you are prying against anything but the PS pump bracket you 1) are doing it wrong and 2) will NEVER get the belt adjusted properly.

Please read this post and study the photo:

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/432836-post5.html

 

I should also add that if someone pried against the alternator bracket hard enough to break it, the bracket is likely bent. This might be a problem for alternator belt alignment, so I'd get a replacement. The aluminum bracket used on the 307 actually dates to the late 1970s and should be pretty easily available used. Also, if someone pried that hard against the PS pump and didn't get the belt tight, then he didn't loosen all three fasteners first. And since the only place to press against is the thin sheet metal reservoir, that's likely damaged also.

 

So wait a minute. You're willing to spend $120 on a new steering box, but not $10 on a replacement bracket that some idiot broke?

And I hate to tell you, but, as I said above, unless you poured water into it, your steering box did not fail because the pump was disconnected.

- Eric

 

"I removed the AC"
===============
Seems to me that was a bad idea... unless you moved the alternator to the RH side with the proper brackets. It sounds like according to JP's experience you can get by with minimal cash outlay. I'd recommend just putting some good used parts on there to fix it right.