What have I done to my power steering..

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Brav

Brav

Joined
May 3, 2020
Threads
18
Messages
217
Location
Costa Mesa, CA
After doing the Rubicon, my PS system was fried/crying LOUDLY. I changed some fluid, and in normal daily driving, it is quiet for the last year. Gets noisy when hot/slow/twisting roads, then quiets back down when cool.

I swapped out my paper clip for a Derale finned tube cooler that many have done here. But for the life of me, I can not get this thing to bleed or shut up. Seems like lots of flow and foam, no matter what. I jacked up the front, cycled the steering manty many times with engine on and off over last few days. but no change.. drove it around and repeated the process, no change. Double checked lines. jacked one side of the truck up thinking there was an air pocket in the cooler in order to make it easier, no change. just sits and whines at idle with no input now.. Went thru 1.5 gal of Dex III. Was perfectly fine before I swapped the cooler. Used 3/8 trans hose to connect to the stock hoses.

Video:
New video · Thursday, Jan 8 🎬 - https://photos.app.goo.gl/7rdC1smKBJejXbHr6

What am I overlooking?
 
From your description, it sounds like air is getting sucked into your system. I think the power steering is under vacuum when running. If you pressurize the system (not too much air pressure) you might find the leak. I could be completely wrong but at least it bumps your thread and increases the chance that someone who knows what they are talking about chimes in.
 
you need to wait awhile (2 hours or so) for the air to get out of the system, start for a short time turn the wheel and then shut back off for an hour, repeat. also When the o-rings in the power steering pump are hard and flat they are no longer sealing they pull air into the system, could also be from leak at the suction hose or a restriction inside the reservoir or suction hose.
 
Does the suction hose leak from where the metal portion enters the pump? Or, maybe, as already mentioned, the strainer inside the reservoir needs to be cleaned. It might be best to buy a new reservoir because you will also get a new cap and gasket. Removing the lid from the existing reservoir is no big deal but putting it back on so it doesn’t leak can be difficult.
 
TheBussman said:
you need to wait awhile (2 hours or so) for the air to get out of the system, start for a short time turn the wheel and then shut back off for an hour, repeat. also When the o-rings in the power steering pump are hard and flat they are no longer sealing they pull air into the system, could also be from leak at the suction hose or a restriction inside the reservoir or suction hose.
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This was ultimately the answer. Tried this a few times already, but had to keep going. Finally let out a big burp and all is well. Took me 3 days of letting it sit and bleed.. Thanks
 
Outsane said:
You can always swap to a larger psc reservoir, so you are ready for hydro assist in the future. If you keep doing Rubicon things.

I have brackets available too.
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May do so if I go to 37s or greater. However, I know have a classic bronco on 40s that may be my rock rig.
 
so was it the burping of the system that fixed it in the end? can you detail this a bit more?
 
samtoddlee said:
so was it the burping of the system that fixed it in the end? can you detail this a bit more?
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Yes. Just had to keep going. However I still get a faint groan when cold that wasn’t there before. Will look into it more when i get time. Or just put two drops of Dawn in it..
 
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