I just bought my 73 Charger 3 weeks ago. Just getting her up and running now.

Any idea how to check if the box or the pump needs replaced?

fluid level is up - leaks out in a couple of days.

Extremely Hard to get wheels to even move 1" -
I have a Manual steering car which turns easier
than this car!

Does it leak out when running or even just while sitting?

Few things could be the source of the leak:

- hi-pressure or return line (likely)
- gear itself is leaking
- pump is leaking

If you had a burst hose, you would be spewing P/S fluid when the car is running. I would wipe it all really clean and have a helper crank the car on stands while you peak under and around the gear/pump and see where the leak is.

The factory power steering for these cars is way over powered by today's standards and it should be very easy to turn the wheel on the car while it runs. A lot of people here actually get modified gears (myself included) to drop the pressure and make the steering firmer!

Good luck!

EDIT: Get the pump itself from your local parts house. 440source wants $100 for theirs which is a bit steep.

she is leaking while sitting -

good idea about using a friend -
will do - thanks -

I would probably think the pump is bad -

Sounds like it needs bled; raise the front end, engine off, rotate the wheel lock to lock a few times, add more fluid. Sometimes need to start the engine for 5 seconds, then go lock-lock.

If you're leaking it all out over a few days, you'll need to rebleed each time you refill

And yes, the wheel will be very hard to turn if it hasn't been bled.

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Sounds like it needs bled; raise the front end, engine off, rotate the wheel lock to lock a few times, add more fluid. Sometimes need to start the engine for 5 seconds, then go lock-lock.

If you're leaking it all out over a few days, you'll need to rebleed each time you refill

And yes, the wheel will be very hard to turn if it hasn't been bled.

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Good Advice - I will try it... thanks!

Car has been sitting since 1998 - I could have a cracked line? I did find a loose fitting. So maybe air got in?

Top-off the fluid...

'Clean' all around...

Bring it to oper. temp...

Have someone hold it at 'lock'...

You'll find yer leak...

It the pump leaks just sitting its probably bad and not making any pressure while running and this explain hard steering.

Thanks for the needed advice -
will keep you posted -

I noticed most fluid is leaking from the seal where the steering shaft goes -

I have jacked the front end up - turned many times lock to lock off and running once.

will try it again today.

When I put my car together I broke in the engine. The next day when I came back to the shop it had dumped all p's fluid out of it thru the bottom of the box. I added brake fluid mixed with the p/s fluid over 5 years ago. 9500 miles later it still hasn't leaked. It's worth a try...

I could try brake fluid........ but now a new problem for me. I called O'Reilly's yesterday to order a new ps pump.

Mine is a Federal with the lines on the side, mounting screw holes opposite side. Got it today....

new problem with new ps pump is the shaft is smaller in diameter!

now my pulley won't fit. My old pump is rebuild-able I think. I have not done that before.

Was hoping I could just do an exchange to keep this simple -

I checked 440 source they only have Saginaw.

I have heard that the Federal pumps are hard to find and not as good as the Saginaw pumps.

I think 440source has the necessary brackets, studs, and pump/pulley you could buy from one place and swap over to the Saginaw style. The Saginaw pumps are easy to find. In fact, I ordered mine from O'Reilley's when my pump gave up the ghost. Had it the next day and dropped right in.

I hate to tell you to throw money at this but I have heard those Federal pumps can be tricky to track down and this would get rid of that problem and give you a better pump.

EDIT: Get the pump itself from your local parts house. 440source wants $100 for theirs which is a bit steep.

Agreed - new pump is $65

not a bad idea to swap over -

another reason I should have went to the nats

CJ -

Other than the pump R&R issue...

My OP your reply was correct, the pressure line had a loose fitting on the box.

Which has slowed down the fluid under the car.
now the rear seal is loose or bad on the box -


couple questions -

Do I need a spanner wrench to try and tighten the end cap where the steering shaft is of the gear box to slow down the leak?

Is there a rebuild kit to buy- and how difficult would the rebuild be of the box?

special tools needed?

The end cap on the box is not something to remove unless you know what you are doing , if you need to change the seal on the input shaft it can be done without pulling that out. all the extranl seals can be changed out without box disassembly , the only thing that gets removed to swap seals is the valve on top to replace the 2 o rings under it , then readjust.

My friend just did this to his box to change the seal , he doesn't have a clue what he is doing , the car is scarey to drive now in my opinion.

If the box needs to be rebuilt just buy another one .

I will take your advice to heart JohnRR -!

last thing I want to do is mess things up.
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with the new pump I have, directions say to vac out the old fluid from the lines and box.

I'm thinking to live with the leak until next year to change out the box ( if she is working now )

I have ordered new lines.

any advice about evac of fluid?

would a brake vac hand tool do it?

I would just disconnect the lo pressure line and stick it in a bucket and have somebody crank the car. The pump should pump most of the fluid out.

When you are ready to refill, top off the pump and crank the car and turn the wheel lock to lock a few times. Check the fluid level and then top off again. Repeat until the fluid level stops dropping. In my experience, this should consist of topping the pump fluid level of twice.

Before I'd go through all the hassle of 'changing this', and buying pieces from here and there and everywhere, give these dudes a call...

Harry's Steering Gear Repair Inc.
33410 Groesbeck Highway Fraser, MI 48026 -
(866) 542-2298

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Before I'd go through all the hassle of 'changing this', and buying pieces from here and there and everywhere, give these dudes a call...

Harry's Steering Gear Repair Inc.
33410 Groesbeck Highway Fraser, MI 48026 -
(866) 542-2298

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I called them -
That number is for an auto shop -
I did find them on internet, that new number listed is disconnected?