Just rebuilt a leaky saginaw pump off a 73 lt. prior to rebuild the only problem with the pump was a leak from/around the prussure union. After the rebuild the steering becomes very difficult from center to the start of left a left turn. I have jacked the car up and turned the wheel back and forth a bunch of times (there are no difficult spots when I do this). There is a slight amount of noise when turning the wheels coming from the pump. I would think there is air in the system. Other than driving the car is there anything I can do to eliminate this tight spot?

 

You can get the air out by raising the front wheels off the ground and turning the steering wheel lock to lock until the pump quits down. It will normally make noise at the full lock position, but you want it to be quiet otherwise. The pump itself would not cause binding conditions, so you need to take a good look at the steering mechanism. Also, make sure the pulley is not slipping about the pump shaft.