Power Steering help

[bizzs]

Hi guys,

I did a full suspension, steering and wheel bearing replacement on my 2003 Explorer. I had it up on jack stands and moved the wheel and some power steering fluid came out. I completed the job and had an alignment, but the steering is vibrating intermitantly when turning the wheel while driving . additionally, when I stop the truck, and turn the wheels, the steering vibrates intermitenatly vibrates too. It appears that there is air in the lines or the pump is crapping out. What is the procedure to bleed the pump? DO I have to have the truck back up on jack stands when bleeding? I read a lot of posts that this is an apparent problem that others have experience. Can some please post the proper procedure from a to z? Any information is appreciative..

Thanks,
bizzs

 

[Mr Dubya]

Where did the fluid come out from?

 

[bizzs]

The fluid pushed itself out of the reservoir when I turned the wheels. There are no leaks that I can see underneath.

 

[Mr Dubya]

Flushing the system and bleeding the pump are both easy. You may want to do both, or just the latter. If you flush, bleed it as well to ensure a kick-ass job was done.

To flush:

1) Raise the front wheels and secure the vehicle.
2) Extract the old fluid out of the reservoir until empty.
3) Remove the power steering fluid return line from the reservoir, and plug the reservoir up.
4a) Extend the now-disconnected return line to a longer length of hose, with a good seal
4b) This step can be skipped, if you have enough room to get a cup or container squeezed in that the return line can deposit its fluid into.
5) With the return line depositing into a separate container, fill the reservoir with fresh fluid (Mercon V Transmission fluid - nothing else).
6) Turn the key to the ON position (do not crank the engine).
7a) Cycle the wheels between both full locks, which will suck in the fresh reservoir fluid, and flush out the old contaminated fluid.
7b) Keep the reservoir topped off, and check your old-fluid-container in case it fills up (primarily if you're using a smaller cup squeezed in the engine bay)
8) Stop cycling the wheels once fresh fluid is deposited out of the return line.
9) Make sure the reservoir is not overfilled beyond the appropriate mark. If it is overfilled, suck some out.
10) Perform a quick 'switcheroo' and put back on the return line to the reservoir nipple quickly while you remove the plug. Use a rag underneath to catch what fluid does come out.

To bleed (purge):

1) Raise the front wheels and secure the vehicle.
2a*) Remove the reservoir cap and replace with a vacuum cap and vacuum pump.
2b*) Apply and maintain a maximum vacuum on the reservoir.
3) Cycle the wheels between both locks for a total of 10 times (1o times left, 10 times right).
4) Release the vacuum and check the level. Add if necessary.
5*) Apply and maintain a maximum vacuum on the reservoir, again.
6) Start the vehicle.
7) Cycle the wheels between both locks for a total of 10 times, again.
8) Stop the vehicle.
9) Release the vacuum and check the level. Add if necessary.
10) If fluid aeration persists, repeat as necessary.
11) Reinstall the reservoir cap.
12a) Apply approximately 8-12 lb·in of force onto and remove the nearest beer bottle cap. Deposit fluid into mouth.
12b) Repeat as needed.


* I have done a bleed in the past without applying a vacuum to the reservoir, so it may not be game-changing. I know some power-steering systems don't require a vacuum to bleed out the air, just a wheel cycle. However, the next time I perform one I intend to go through with this step to make sure it's perfectly thorough.

-Dubya

 

[bizzs]

Thank you for the information. There is a slight whining and a light viberation when I turn the steering wheel side to side. I can feel it when I am turning a bend in the steering wheel and if I am stationary. I am hoping the problem is just air because I just sunk 800.00 at rockauto to fix her back up. I will give it a shot tomorrow and post my results.

Thank you sir!

bizzs

 

[swshawaii]

Great instructions Mr Dubya. I used the same procedure and it worked great. Any reason the Ford workshop manual and most tutorials say to pull the coil fuse and crank the engine while turning the wheel lock to lock? I didn't crank the engine because I was alone and didn't want to run the system dry. One quart of Valvoline Mercon V seemed like enough until it flowed clean.

 

[Mr Dubya]

I too am not sure what the logic is behind pulling the fuse and cranking the engine (relative to the power steeeing). I've never done it, and humbly took the liberty of not providing it in the instructions since I fail to see its rationale.

I suspect it may be one of those 'standard procedure' remnants left over from an old or unnecessary company protocol. Perhaps similar to trivial-ness of hooking up a dial caliper to your rotor when doing a break job But, there may certainly be a sufficient reason I'm unaware of.


-Dubya