bleeding power steering

Suspension, steering, brakes, wheels & tires

Moderator: FORDification

Post Reply
User avatar
johnnyUK
New Member
New Member
Posts: 12
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2015 1:06 pm

bleeding power steering

Post by johnnyUK »

Hi,
I'm having a lot of trouble bleeding the air out of my pas pump on my 1972 f100 390ci truck.
I have read posts on here about bleeding, but I can't find the pas bulletin link.
Can someone point me to it, perhaps that will help me.
Thanks
Johnny
User avatar
1972hiboy
100% FORDified!
100% FORDified!
Posts: 2421
Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2010 5:44 pm
Location: California, Santa Cruz

Re: bleeding power steering

Post by 1972hiboy »

It shouldnt be to bad, all ive done in the past is turn the wheel lock to lock a couple times then re-check the fluid level.
Rich
1973 f350 super c/s 460/c6 22k orig miles
1972 f350 srw crewcab special 390
1972 f250 4x4 sport custom 390fe Red
1972 f250 4x4 custom 360 FE " Ranger Ric"
1972 f250 4x4 custom 84k og miles 390
1971 f250 4x4 sport custom 56k og miles. 360
1970 f250 4x4 428 fe hp60 205 d60
Dont eat yellow snow.....
User avatar
HIO Silver
100% FORDified!
100% FORDified!
Posts: 1970
Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2011 11:31 pm
Location: Devil's Mountain, CA

Re: bleeding power steering

Post by HIO Silver »

If you have a drill driver and an appropriately sized allen head, then slap'er in the chuck and prime the pump to circulate the system to purge any trapped air.

Refill to full.

Fire it up and allow to run for about 20 seconds and turn the wheels lock to lock a coupla times.

Recheck fluid level and top off.

Take for a test drive.

Recheck fluid level and top off... Done.
User avatar
johnnyUK
New Member
New Member
Posts: 12
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2015 1:06 pm

Re: bleeding power steering

Post by johnnyUK »

Thanks for the advise,
The truck had a conversion fitted in the USA before I imported it, and I has always been noisy. The pump was a recon unit.
Reading on here , a lot of guys have had, poor quality recon pumps.
Will try again bleeding as you surgest, it may be the pump, its the pencil neck filler type.
ultraranger
Blue Oval Guru
Blue Oval Guru
Posts: 1147
Joined: Wed Apr 27, 2011 9:15 pm
Location: Arkansas, Camden

Re: bleeding power steering

Post by ultraranger »

The biggest problem with reconditioned PS pumps usually isn't the pump. It's usually the way it was installed. --like HIO was saying about priming it first. Most people install the pump, fill it with fluid and bust the engine off.

If the pump isn't primed first, there will be air in the system. Air displaces fluid from submerging the pump while it's running. If the air isn't evacuated before the pump can be sufficiently covered in fluid, it will either burn the pump up or, it will cause damage to it, which will make the pump whine the entire time the engine is running.

How I primed the pump in my truck when I installed power steering.
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/13395 ... st14809141
Steve

1969 SWB F100 Ranger. 240-6, C-4, 9" N-case 31-spline Traction-Lok w/3.50 gears.

1968 Mustang. My high school car. Owned since 1982.

2003 Azure Blue Mustang Mach1.
User avatar
johnnyUK
New Member
New Member
Posts: 12
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2015 1:06 pm

Re: bleeding power steering

Post by johnnyUK »

I have removed and stripped/inspected the pump, and it all looks ok.
I will attempt bleeding it as you have suggested over the weekend , and hope that works
User avatar
johnnyUK
New Member
New Member
Posts: 12
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2015 1:06 pm

Re: bleeding power steering

Post by johnnyUK »

Ok Guys,
I have finally got it sorted out !
It turned out to be drawing in air at the steel case where the high pressure pipe comes out.
I fitted a new cardboard washer, coated in rtv sealant.
It bleed no problems, as suggested, and has been fine since, thanks to all who helped with ideas.
I also made sure I used the correct Ford spec fluid, in the UK the ATF fluid meets the Ford Spec
Post Reply