I just installed a new (rebuilt) Lares 973 steering box in my '66, and am having problems with the return line fitting oozing ATF. (the pressure line was doing the same thing, but a new one seems to have cured it) I tried teflon tape without stopping the ooze. It seems to be coming from between the steel flared line and the fitting, like the flared end is not mating properly inside the gearbox. I have looked for a new fitting but of course if it isn't in the computer, the counter person cannot find it. Does anyone have a source for just the metal end fitting assembly?

 

Try tightening it some more. Teflon tape nor thread compound will not stop a flared fitting leak.

 

Randy
If it's not something I can make I use American Grease stick or Plew-Edelmann
https://agscompany.com/product-categ...ower-steering/
https://www.plews-edelmann.com/end-fittings/

 

I didn't think the tape would help, but had to try it. I tightened it real well, but couldn't stop the oozing.

 

Thanks Nick!

 

Received and installed new return fitting today. Tightened everything up again and don't see any more leaks. I'm working on getting juice in to the steering box, worked it lock to lock many times (both with and without motor running), but it still feels like no assist. Approx how long have you had to work the steering to have the assist come in?

 

are you supposed to be using ATF in the steering box instead of regular power steering fluid? I have a '72 cutlass which can also take a 973 box and I've not heard of ATF being a correct steering box fluid. Don't know if this would be your primary issue though, but a curiosity. another issue might be having too large a pump pulley to properly pressurize your system enough for the assist to kick in enough. I had to install a high pressure/flow pump and size the pulley down to a 5.75" (i.e. a Chevelle pulley) from the factory Olds 6.75" pulley to kick up the assist a bit when I went to 15x8" wide wheels with 245-60-R15 rubber.

 

Engine needs to be running and it takes a little while to get all the air out. Make sure there are no really tight bends in the lines that may cause a kink. You can use atf or power steering fluid.

 

Back in the day these cars used the red ATF. I'll keep workin on it.

 

Randy
Last time I did it took me about 20 minutes to bleed all the air out.

 

Is that 20 min of continuous turning back and forth? How soon did you start feeling some power assist?

 

yes, I only stop a couple of time to check the fluid level and back at it. It had to be every bit of 15 minutes before I had any power assist.
I thought the new pump was bad and was about to give up when it started to work.

 

Did you encounter fluid in the pump wanting to overflow occassionaly?

 

Yes, came very close but never did overflow