Bleeding power steering?

[crause]

I have just replaced all four power steering hoses on my 75. I read the instructions in Chiltons for bleeding the system but it just involves filling the pump and turning the wheels back and forth while checking the pump to make sure it is full. Is that really all there is to it? Sounds too easy.

Andy

 

[MaineShark]

Pretty much. Put the nose on jackstands, reach turn the wheel back and forth a few times, then check the fluid and add, if necessary. If you have a second person, so one can sit in the car and turn the wheel while the other watches the fluid resevoir, it will probably go quicker.

Here's a hint: don't fill the resevoir all the way, 'cause that ram has a lot of capacity, and when the flow does back into the resevoir, it can over-fill and spill.

After you're pretty certain there are no more bubbles, turn the engine over briefly, and see if the fluid level changes. You want to be careful doing this, because if there is a bubble, and the pump eats it, it will turn the fluid into foam.

Joe

 

[crause]

Are you saying I should do the first part with the engine off? Then start the engine and check the level?

 

[MaineShark]

You shouldn't even start the engine, until you're 99% certain that the bleeding is complete. Starting the engine is a safety check, really. If you start it before you bleed out the system, the PS pump will swallow air and turn the fluid to foam. Then you'll have to wait overnight for the air to settle out of the fluid, so you can start again from scratch.

You move the wheel back and forth, then check the level, then add fluid, if needed, then move the wheel back and forth, etc.

You shouldn't start the engine until the fluid level remains stable.

Then, once you have a stable fluid level, start the engine and kill it as soon as it lights. Move the wheel back and forth, then check the level. Add fluid, if necessary. Repeat until the fluid level doesn't change.

Joe

 

[crause]

Thanks Joe,

You just saved me a lot of headach because I was going to bleed with the engine running. I hope I can return the favor sometime. I am going to put the new lines on tomorrow and bleed the system. I will let you know how it goes.

Andy

 

[crause]

All went well with all four new lines going on without much trouble. Bleeding was a breeze with all the info I got here. I also changed the rubber pieces of line that connect the transmission lines to the radiator. New front shocks installed (had to cut the top nut off with a torch). I will soon replace all of the metal lines for the trans. cooler and the metal fuel lines. The next time I have to open the brake lines I am going to change the rubber lines behind the tires. Right before I bought it the guy had a brake job done and all the metal lines were changed but they left the old rubber lines in place. That was really stupid, I would have gladly paid the difference to have them changed to the stainless steel ones.

Thanks again for all of the help. :BOW

Andy