Sway bar end links replaced = instant power steering death?

[JGH1987]

1999 Ford Explorer, bought with 212,000 miles. It's a pretty beat up truck clearly used for a lot of contracting work, but I've been driving it for about six months now with no issues. Took me until now to notice there were no bushings at all on the front sway bar links, which explains why it rolls like a sailboat when I steer. Got home from work today with a totally normal drive home, and replaced the end links completely - new bolt and bushings.

Went for a drive around the block, and while the roll and handling was way better immediately, it took about 1 single minute for my steering to start shuddering, horrible steering pump noise, and burning steering fluid - it literally seems like it boiled out of the reservoir. I removed the new link ends, let it cool off for awhile and was able to drive a bit further without any issue, but when I got around the block and almost back home, smoke and horrible power steering shudder/noise again. Could driving without a sway bar and suddenly re-installing it do this? It was a brand new power steering pump, too, only a few weeks old.

My worry is the reason the PO had the link bushings completely off had to do with messed up power steering in the first place - he mentioned it leaked fluid, although I've seen no evidence of that.

 

[koda2000]

Did you turn the wheels w/out the engine running?

 

[JGH1987]

Yes, I turned lock to lock with it running a few times though. Even if I didn't get all the air out, seems extreme that it would blow up the pump instead of just making some noise, right?

 

[koda2000]

Yes, I turned lock to lock with it running a few times though. Even if I didn't get all the air out, seems extreme that it would blow up the pump instead of just making some noise, right?

You sucked air in through the rack seals and now the system is full of air. Not a big deal. With the engine running do slow figure 8's turning the steering wheel from lock-to-lock a bunch of times to purge the air out.

 

[JGH1987]

Phew. That's a relief. Just never figured it would generate so much heat, it scared the hell out of me! Assuming I see smoke during the process, I should turn off the engine and let it cool down before continuing, right? Doesn't seem good for the pump, and it's a brand new pump... Thanks for the help!

 

[koda2000]

Usually it just causes vibration and shutter (can be scary). Never heard of it smoking or spitting out fluid, but I guess if there's a lot of air in the system it might. Let it cool down first,

What did you put in the system for fluid? Mercon V works best.

 

[J_C]

Did you check the PS fluid, was it low, did you top it off and maybe spill some on the exhaust manifold or something?

I would keep an eye on it, maybe you did have a leak or now do and it's spraying out of a PS hose or something. Besides turning the wheels with the engine off and the minor extra strain of getting the air bled out, the sway bar links are unrelated.

 

[JGH1987]

It was low after doing the work, I did top it off before going out and driving around a bit. Bet it was just the air in the system blowing some fluid out of the reservoir onto some other hot parts - the reservoir cap on the steering pump was partially blown off. Just went to the store and back after doing some circles lock to lock in a parking lot and things seem fine. Lesson learned! I know the power steering definitely isn't perfect on the thing, it's fairly noisy, but as long as it works it's fine for now. Probably just going to have the whole system looked at by my mechanic when I have a little cash in the bank.

 

[swshawaii]

Extremely common mistake when doing front end work with the wheels off the ground. BTDT. Thanks for the follow up.

 

[inkjunkie]

I am guilty of this. Scared the snot out of me.

 

[donalds]

Guilty

 

[koda2000]

Luckily for me I read about getting air in the PS system before experiencing this, so when I eventually had this happen (after a tow) I knew exactly what the issue was. It can be quite terrifying if you're not expecting it. I recall one thread here where a member used something other than Mercon V for PS fluid and had problems for months until he switched to Mercon V, but other's here have reported using different fluid without having a problem. I figure why use something other than what Ford recommends as it seems to work fine.

OP - The noise you currently hearing may (or may not) get better after a few days. This can happen because when the PS fluid gets really aerated it take a long time for the tiny bubbles to go away. I once replaced the rack and hoses on a mid 90's Pontiac and it took over a week for it to get quiet again.

 

[donalds]

I figure why use something other than what Ford recommen

I feel exactly the same way
And also what about a vacuum pump

Are you experiencing "shudder" after replacing your P/S Pump or Steering Rack?

Here's a fast, simple and proven method to bleed air from your Ford P/S Pump & Steering Rack.
I live in the PRK where HEAT is a KILLER of P/S Pumps and Racks, and have been using this for 7 yrs.
As cheap insurance, I change my synthetic p/s fluid every year; this method gets out all the air in about 5 minutes.

1) Go to Harbor Freight and buy one of these:

2) Go to your local hardware store, and buy a rubber stopper that will fit (but not get sucked into)
your power steering fluid pump's filler neck.

3) While at Harbor Freight or your local Hardware Store, buy a barbed brass air line connector
that will go completely through the rubber stopper.

* Drill a hole through all the way through the center of the rubber stopper, and insert the barbed brass air line connector.

* Connect one end of the vacuum pump air line to the barbed brass connector, and the other end straight to the Vacuum Pump.

* Remover power steering pump cover/dipstick, make sure your p/s fluid level is full, and insert the rubber stopper into the neck of the pump.

* Start the engine, pump up to about 10 - 12 inches of vacuum on the vacuum pump,
and then turn the steering wheel full lock left/full lock right while watching the gauge on the vacuum pump.

* If air is present in your p/s fluid, you will see the needle drop on the vacuum pump as you go lock to lock.
Also, as you remove air, you'll will hear a pleasant change in your p/s pump noise as you lessen "pump groan."

* When you get the air out of your pump & rack, the shuddering effect will stop, and the p/s system will be quieter.

* When you remove the rubber stopper, you will see little air bubbles on the top of your p/s fluid in the pump reservoir = SUCCESS!

* Through the years, you might have to do this once in a while if you sense p/s shuddering.

* NOTE: If you turn your steering wheel w/o the engine running, you can introduce air into your p/s system.


Hope that helps!

thanks to @fast_dave

 

[donalds]

 

[Centaurus5.0]

I jack the front wheels off the ground first, start it, then nock it back and forth until it sounds and feels better. There is always still that sound and stiff spots in the steering at this point.. Then I drive around the corner to the parking lot a do a hand full of figure eights. At this point most of "kinks" in the steering are worked out.. but there is still air in the system and it takes a bit of driving to quiet it back down for sure..

I've had to do this on a number of vehicles after dollying them.

Word to the wise: use a hauler.

 

[donalds]

Sometimes that don't work
When I changed my ps fluid driving turning did not work at all
I am sure it will work most of the time
But when your suggestion don't work try a vac pump got the air out in 3 minutes

 

[Centaurus5.0]

That is handy! Why don't I have one of those!?

From the video..sounds like the ps operating temp is the same as an automatic transmissions..

 

[donalds]

That is handy! Why don't I have one of those!?

From the video..sounds like the ps operating temp is the same as an automatic transmissions..

mityvac - Google Search

 

[Centaurus5.0]

I do have one of their fluid extractors.. now that is invaluable tool to have!

 

[donalds]

I do have one of their fluid extractors.. now that is invaluable tool to have!

I use my fluid extractor for changing my trans fluid out of the dipstick then drop the pan and don't spill a drop