2001 Mountaineer power steering problem

[70ray]

Some time last year I noticed a jerking problem while turning the steering wheel. It only happened a couple of times so I didn't dig into it any further.

Last week I changed the engine oil and filter & I decided to suck out the power steering fluid from the reservoir. I didn't remove all of the fluid from the reservoir. I then filled the reservoir back up to the proper level. When I was finished with the service I backed the vehicle out of the garage and was in the process of parking it off to the side when I noticed a very bad jerking of the steering wheel while turning.

The first thought that I had was that I must have disturbed some debris that was in the reservoir and now it was getting into the system & causing the jerking problem.

So, back into the garage to drain the power steering fluid out of the system--then remove the reservoir container (so I could clean it--since the container cannot be opened completely I had to flush it out several times until it was clean). Then I refilled the system. (I did this three times to make sure that I removed all the the dirt).

After flushing the system with approximately one half gallon of fluid (Mercon trans fluid) The jerking has lessened but it is not completely gone!!!

The vehicle has 115K on the clock and I don't think that the power steering fluid has ever been changed. I bought it used in 2006 with 78K. It doesn't get used much ( less than 3k per year)

Any suggestions??

 

[1998Exp]

Some time last year I noticed a jerking problem while turning the steering wheel. It only happened a couple of times so I didn't dig into it any further.

Last week I changed the engine oil and filter & I decided to suck out the power steering fluid from the reservoir. I didn't remove all of the fluid from the reservoir. I then filled the reservoir back up to the proper level. When I was finished with the service I backed the vehicle out of the garage and was in the process of parking it off to the side when I noticed a very bad jerking of the steering wheel while turning.

The first thought that I had was that I must have disturbed some debris that was in the reservoir and now it was getting into the system & causing the jerking problem.

So, back into the garage to drain the power steering fluid out of the system--then remove the reservoir container (so I could clean it--since the container cannot be opened completely I had to flush it out several times until it was clean). Then I refilled the system. (I did this three times to make sure that I removed all the the dirt).

After flushing the system with approximately one half gallon of fluid (Mercon trans fluid) The jerking has lessened but it is not completely gone!!!

The vehicle has 115K on the clock and I don't think that the power steering fluid has ever been changed. I bought it used in 2006 with 78K. It doesn't get used much ( less than 3k per year)

Any suggestions??

This is common after moving the steering wheel with the engine off. Did you? In any case, sounds like air in the system - the usual remedy is to turn the wheel all the way, from stop to stop several times (with the engine running).

 

[70ray]

This is common after moving the steering wheel with the engine off. Did you? In any case, sounds like air in the system - the usual remedy is to turn the wheel all the way, from stop to stop several times (with the engine running).

I did that three times. Still have jerking--not as bad.

 

[70ray]

This is common after moving the steering wheel with the engine off. Did you? In any case, sounds like air in the system - the usual remedy is to turn the wheel all the way, from stop to stop several times (with the engine running).

I drained and refilled two mire times. Turned the wheel back and forth several times while the Merc was on the lift (tires not touching the floor). Then I drove it about ten miles---still have the jerking problem (and it is having almost all of the time).

I was explaining the situation to my wife (she drives it more than I do) and she said that it has been doing the jerking for awhile. Not all of the time, just sometimes. So that adds a new piece to the puzzle!!!!!

Where do I go from here?

 

[SenseiJ]

you need to bleed the system now, that's the way to exchange the fluid but you can also bleed the air out at the same time. if you have one of the small coolers up front(likely) unhook it at both ends and clean it out also. best method I use is have a helper to either turn wheel or pour the fluid as it's emptied into system from reservoir.

you can just loosen the pressure line at the lowest point(rack likely) to where you get fluid coming out, maybe wrap with aluminum foil to direct it down into a pan or something. while doing this don't have the wheel turned to hard, just gentle, full lock, left and right.

but while this is going on make sure to add fluid to the reservoir, never let it dry out and if it does you'll have to start over.

 

[CDW6212R]

I prefer to drain the PS fluid with the cooler line disconnected. That drains most of the fluid, all but what's in the rack and residual in the lines and cooler etc. I changed a PS pump two years ago and didn't have any jerking etc, when finished(I worked the wheel plenty to start with).

I'd guess that something has gotten into the rack itself, possibly the pump. Changing the fluid well is the best thing for that, up until it doesn't help any more. It may be time to replace the pump and/or rack, which first though is hard to tell. I have a spare pump now so for me it would be to try that if it was mine.

 

[C420sailor]

If you remove the cooler hoses and turn the wheel lock to lock multiple times, it should pump the fluid out of the rack.

Do this with the truck NOT running.

You’ll have to bleed after, but no big deal

 

[70ray]

The jerking problem is slowly going away the more that I drive it. So I guess it was just some air in the system. If I have any problems later I'll post it.

 

[Mbrooks420]

Do repeated lock to locks while slowly moving. It’ll purge it. I wouldn’t be driving it on the street with its janky steering.

 

[donalds]

I just use my mighty vac
Plus its a great tool to have around

 

[Mbrooks420]

Might vacs are excellent.

 

[CDW6212R]

How about an old Craftsman shop vac? That'll do it fast.

 

[C420sailor]

I just hook it to the intake on my F/A-18

 

[CDW6212R]

I just hook it to the intake on my F/A-18

LOL, where's that clip of the Coneheads wife vacuuming the floor?

 

[EB4X]

Just my 2 cents....but I'm speculating that bleeding procedure would be more effective doing it with front end jacked up/ wheels off the ground..... which is recommended procedure after changing pump/ major air scenario.....

 

[70ray]

After driving it for awhile it has started to work okay. No more problems!!