Power steering is shaking my wheel and causing hesitation

[getintanked]

Hey guys,
My truck recently broke down in a parking lot - I went to push it to the other side so it was out of the way. After I moved it, I look under the hood and out of the little hole on the cap of the power steering resivoir - it had squirted the fluid everywhere.

I didn't think anything of it and figured I could just fill it back up once i got it running.

So I got the truck running yesterday (thanks to your help)...

However, inside it was filled as though it is full - even though it just pushed a bunch out...

So I drove it home. Every time I turn the wheel it shudders bad and the wheel shakes. If i turn really slowly and widely it will be fine...
But this can't be good.


Any ideas on where to start looking here? or what to do?

Is there a bleeder on the line or something? It's almost like there is a air pocket in there...

Thanks in advance,
-Matt

 

[getintanked]

It's a 1995 Ford Explorer XLT...
I need to add that to my sig

 

[alohamonte]

if you just did a major refill, it's just air in the system messing with the pump.

put X in park, start it, open hood, remove power steering cap, get back inside, turn wheel slowly going nearly full lock-to-lock about 20 times, put the cap back on, close hood, take it for a test drive. Repeat until perfect. If you had a lot of air in there, you might have to top it off again. good luck

 

[getintanked]

yeoupe, that fixed it

Cheers!

 

[Tbars4]

...This may be of some help for future readers...
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=240227

 

[firemannelson37]

Wow I had the same problem, just went out and uncapped it, turned the wheel back and forth and its fixed!