Bleeding p/s pump

[Sunk]

I tried the method suggested in the tech library for bleeding the pump and and it didn't work. The steering is still difficult. There were still some bubbles coming out occasionally, but much less than before I started. The steering isn't any easier though, and I've cycled the pump more than 100 times. Is there another way I can do this, its getting to be kind of a pain. Thanks.

[kunar]

you need to have the pump spinning, jack it up or disconnect the pitman arm, unplug the coil and crank the engine while youre turning the wheel lock to lock. check fluid often and it shouldnt take more than a few mins of cranking.

[Sunk]

I had the front jacked up when I was cycling the pump. I tried it with the engine running also. I would turn the wheel and when the fluid level rose i revved it slightly and the level would drop and release a ton of air. I did this a few times until it seemed there was no more air...but its still very difficult. Maybe I'll try it with the coil unplugged. Perhaps it needs to spin slower.

[martin]

It sounds like you might have another problem somewhere. I've had to bleed the system on quite a few trucks over the years and it has never taken more than two or three cycles before it came good. What happened that made bleeding the system necessary?

[Sunk]

I swapped motors to another 2.9 that still had all the accessories intact, so I was planning on using them. I unbolted the old pump and set it aside. It turned out the the fitting on the new pump didn't match so I had to use the old one. So most of the fluid drained out of the pump while it was sitting.

[silveranger93]

If you turn it stop to stop about 10 times it should be good. When you hit the stop hold it against the stop for about a half a second and then go to the other stop. DON'T hold it against the stop for more than 1 second or you will burn the pump up (the pump will go into relief)! If this doesn't work something else is wrong.

[Ranger5.0]

if this is still an issue, hold it over relief (turn wheel to lock, hold it for like 10 seconds) crank it al lthe way from lock to lock, holding it over the relieve each time....

[silveranger93]

if this is still an issue, hold it over relief (turn wheel to lock, hold it for like 10 seconds) crank it al lthe way from lock to lock, holding it over the relieve each time....

No offense, but I would NOT hold it to relief that long. It SEVERLY shortens the pump life. I know, I work in the test lab for TRW Automotive in the Steering Division.

[4x4junkie]

Yeah, a couple cycles back & forth from lock to lock (tires jacked up, engine running) has always worked for me also. If it doesn't, then you've likely got another issue.

[Ranger5.0]

so they arnt designed to handle pumping oil over a relieve valve for a few seconds? wow, our pumps are junk

[kunar]

the owners manual (yes i have thumbed through it) says 5 seconds max

[Ranger5.0]

ok, so i was 5 seconds off. When we are bleeding hyd systems we crack open the reliefe a few times and it usualy cleans things right up

[Sunk]

Ok, I'll try holding at lock tomorrow... We'll see what happens. Thanks guys.

[Sunk]

Well I tried it and no luck. I was getting a TON of air after I released it from hard right. I didn't get much air going left. When I stopped there was still a ton of air coming out, but I had cycled the pump at least 30-40 times and I was tired of doing it.

[Totalled]

Get a pump from a crown vic... you'd think you put a saginaw on.. it's that big of a difference.

[Sunk]

Yeah I've thought of getting another pump... Could I have killed the pump by driving it like this? The hoses appear to be tight, so I have no idea where the air could be coming from unless there was initially a TON of air in there.

[rickcdewitt]

Get a pump from a crown vic... you'd think you put a saginaw on.. it's that big of a difference.whats the story on those pumps what years work and is it just higher pressure or something?

[Totalled]

Higher bypass pressure than an RBV pump. Any plastic res pump. Basically 80-91 crown vic. marquis, town car. Heavier rig = more output.

[rickcdewitt]

:icon_thumby: one will probably find its way on my ranger.

[Sunk]

OK, I'll see about getting one of those from the junkyard. I've got a Bronco II for scrap, so Im gonna try to get some stuff as trade. My torino is a boat, and the steering on that is literally effortless. I wouldn't mind that.