Frothly Power Steering

[CruisingMogollon]

I've bleed my newly owned 1997's power steering a few times. The air bubbles just kept coming back. I got a new reservoir hose (44348-60170) some new clamps to resolve what I think is the problem. During removing the old hose I couldn't loosen the lower hose clamp, so I decided to remove the fitting (colored red) on the PS pump.
http://vayavert.com/LC80/steering-1.jpg

When I got this fitting off I first thought that it was missing the o-ring. It was covered with a sealant (seemed like silicon) and did have an o-ring. The o-ring seems too small or has shrank over time. I assume that a shop did this as a quick fix for the previous owner. I managed to clean up the fitting and got most of the sealant off.

Has anyone else replaced this o-ring? Would the PS rebuild kit contain this o-ring?

I just want to make sure I do this right in case the bubbles come back I don't have to second guess the work I already have done.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[arndog123]

I used a Gates rebuild kit and I'm pretty sure it came w/ that O-ring.

 

[Kaveeks]

I just replaced that o-ring. Contact Beno or Cdan and they can hook you up with just the o-ring. It's only like a buck. Also, when I did mine the flange of the suction port (the red part) was tweaked a little causing it to not seat properly. I would get frothy fluid, a whine, and a drip. I had to try and bend it back more flat with pliers to make the surface fit more flush . Now it seals with no leaks, froth, or whine.

 

[Kernal]

CruisingMogollon: ditto on the small O-ring. How did you colorize the suction tube fitting in the diagram??

 

[CruisingMogollon]

Okay, I was very short on time and had to get an o-ring at Ace hardware. It fit much better than the one I removed. However, after putting everything back together I have the same issue (bleed per FSM). Froth!

It is possible my flange is slightly bent or the seal I used isn't seating properly. I'll double check to make sure it isn't bent and get a seal from Cdan as Kaveeks recommends.

Kernel, I used photoshop to recolor the part.

I really appreciate everyones help! Thank

 

[Tools R Us]

What fluid are you running?

 

[kidglove13]

Moisture in the system?

 

[40TUDE]

Ckould be air getting into the line from a loose hose connection

 

[CruisingMogollon]

I did replace the reservoir hose and used new clamps. If any other hose is leaking it should be leaking fluid too, right? All other hoses seem to be good fit.

I'm not sure it has moisture in there. I didn't notice any visible in the fluid when I drained.

Prior to the work I did, I don't know what type of fluid it was. I replaced with Moble1 ATF.

 

[Kaveeks]

If the suction port is not leaking, I'd say that seal is good.
Are there any visible leaks? Air has to be getting in somehow.
How did you go about bleeding?

 

[rove_mcanus]

The pump may be leaking and drawing in air through the timing case. This can happen when only the external pump seals (rear cover, pipe o-rings) are replaced, rather then rebuilding the pump properly.

 

[CruisingMogollon]

I believe that the issue has been resolved. It must just have needed to be bleed more than what I did after replacing the reservoir hose (oem) and o-ring (Ace hardware). YES, I did bleed according to FSM.

Although, the problem occurred when it was cold out which it hasn't been lately. Tonight will be cold (for AZ) and she is going to sleep outside tonight and I'll test in the morning (forecast for 39°).

I really appreciate everyone that has chimed in to offer suggestions & advice.

 

[3jvj]

Bump.

Resolved?

 

[SWCruiser]

issue

i had the same problem. Make sure you bleed as indicated in the FSM and also make sure that the hose end with the o-ring is straight so it sits flush after tightening down. When i pulled mine off there was a slight bend that prevented an air/fluid tight seal. After bending straight the froth was gone.

 

[CruisingMogollon]

I did bleed strictly as FSM called for. I'm very confident that the fitting with the o-ring has a good seating.

I did find some fluid on the top of reservoir recently but I'm not sure if its from being off road or the froth issue. I have not had any whine sounds or seen any frothy fluid since replacing the hose and o-ring.

I had called the issue resolved but I need to know why that fluid was there.

Have any of you seen fluid get *splashed out* from under the cap of the PS reservoir as a result of being off road? Perhaps I just added a little too much fluid to the reservoir?

 

[SHREDwagon]

Yes - had the same thing happen when I rebuilt the pump and bled. I chalked it up to too much fluid. Has not been a problem since. I believe the cap allows fluid out as a safety mechanism? Maybe someone can confirm.

Also had the frothing problem, but kept bleeding and it eventually went away. Hope that helps.