Steering "hitch"

[camper4lyfe]

On Saturday, I replaced the plugs and wires on my 03 FX4 (4.0L V6). While I was trying to figure out how to get to the passenger side plugs, I turned the wheels back and forth with the engine off. Now, while I'm driving, I can feel a bit of a "hitch" in the steering, around the "center" of the travel.

Am I correct in assuming that I screwed something up while turning the wheels with the truck off and not moving? Any thoughts what it could be?

 

[hondaxr650]

Turning the wheels with the engine off will get air into your system every time. It'll bleed itself out eventually. The best way to get it all out is with a vacuum brake bleeder on the reservoir but if you don't have one there isn't really any quick way to do it that I'm aware of. Maybe someone else has a trick.

 

[camper4lyfe]

That makes me feel better. Just glad I didn't do any damage.

 

[Colin]

Turning the wheels with the engine off will get air into your system every time. It'll bleed itself out eventually. The best way to get it all out is with a vacuum brake bleeder on the reservoir but if you don't have one there isn't really any quick way to do it that I'm aware of. Maybe someone else has a trick.

Maybe try turning the wheel back and forth to the stops a few times with the engine running and cap off the reservoir.

 

[99RangerBoss]

yup it happens to all of us did it spray out any fluid? if so don't forget to top it off, those power steering pumps are a pain in the ass specially if you have to tow a ranger

 

[doorgunner]

you can jack up the front end---wheels off the ground---start the truck & turn the wheels left all the way/right all the way about 20 times.


(sometimes a power steering box can get messed up by turning the steering without the engine running)

 

[camper4lyfe]

I only drive every-other-day or so, so my updates are a little delayed.

After driving to work, then home via the scenic route, the hitch seems to be getting better, but it's not completely gone. I'm thinking within the next couple trips it should be gone. Hopefully. *crosses finger*

 

[hondaxr650]

Every time you shut the truck off after driving it, some of the air will rise to the reservoir. It should get better little by little.

 

[camper4lyfe]

After driving it a bit, it appears that it was, in fact, an air bubble. The "hitch" seems to be completely gone.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[tanbuddy]

The same thing happend to me last week on the explorer, i thought i messed up the pump or worse. I had it in the air and turned the tires my hand to but new grease zerkes in the lower ball joints. When i test drove it, i thought i didnt tighen the lugs. When i turned the wheel at all it shook like hell. I checked everything and it looked ok, so i took it on the road and after a mile it drove good again.
My g/f likes to hold the wheel aat full lock when parking it so i thought that could have messed it up but i guess it didnt yet lol.