Need some help with the power steering on my GF's CJ7 as it requires A LOT of effort to turn when aired down off road and on road (have to air her jeep down to 7PSI to clear garage door). The Jeep only has 33's and at about 17psi offroad it takes pretty good effort (both hands tugging on steering wheel) from even me to make tight turns with her Jeep. My ZJ on 35's in contrast, I can steer with one hand crossed up and aired down to 12 psi so you can see the disparity. I was thinking about doing hydro assist, but that's probably way overkill for a jeep on 33's, so what do you guys think, power steering pump not working, steering box gone bad? Is there a easy and a relatively inexpensive upgrade to help with this? Any input would be great.

Thanks,
Fred R.

I'd start by putting a jack stand under both sides of the axle and seeing how hard it is with the tires off of the ground.
I never heard of a power steering pump failing without making some noise.. Or freezing up entirely.
Also I'm thinking waaay to much caster would cause hard steering, and low air would make it worse.
Big JIm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

A stock 79 would have 1-3 degrees caster, unless very messed with there not to likely. Has power steering been retroed onto it? As in are you sure it is a factory steering box?
CJ boxes have a 4.5 turns lock to lock. If yours is less (like 2.5 or 3) it is not an oe box. With that the ratio is less and it will stink to turn on the trails.

Many 79s did not come with power steering factory.

Next, if everything is stock, I'd look at the pump to be defective.

SD

It ended up being the steering pump after all. Replaced it and it's pretty much night and day difference, I guess that's what happens when dealing with 30 year old parts...lol. I'm still probably going to upgrade her steering to hydro-assist in the near future as from what I've researched online the upgrade is fairly straight forward and runs about $150-250 depending on where the ram and lines are purchased and a few hours of my time. I now have to convince her to get bigger tires <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> . Thanks again to all <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> .

Fred R.