Power Steering Issue!

[pitteach]

I just did the flush of the system and removed and cleaned the reservoir. I have ben attempting the stop to stop bleed method several times and I can't get rid of the groan and now the pump is very noisy! I go stop to stop, shut it down and let the bubbles settle and try it again. It's not geting any better. Any thoughts?

[Johnny Mullet]

If the noise don't go away, the pump is probably done.

[pitteach]

I replaced the pump yesterday with a reman unit and cleaned the res with acetone. I tried the stop to stop method multiple times to get the air out. At first, the the wheel was catching and there was a loud whine both ways. I think I got rid of the catching part of it, but I still have a very loud whine when any pressure is put on the wheel.

I have some questions about the stop to stop bleeding method:

• Should the res cap be on or off when bleeding? I am assuming it is left on which is what I did.
• About how long do you keep the motor running and how many times do you go stop to stop? I tried any where from one to five times with no results.
• After each session, I stopped the motor and and checked the fluid which had foamed to the top of the res with very small bubbles, should the fluid ever foam up when operating or is this the true sign that I have air still in the system?
• I used Castrol Mercon V.
• Should the wheels be off the ground when bleeding?
• Could the hoses be a culprit? I have to doubt this because the whining was not this bad before I did the flush.
• Is anyone familiar with the vacuum method of bleeding the system? I believe this is covered in the Ford TSB.
• Could the rack be the issue? I kind of assume that since I am not losing fluid then I might be ok. Please don't tell me its the rack!
• Any ideas where to go next? I am kind of in a bind as the van needs to be inspected and I can't afford to go without the vehicle.

Thanks.

[jkeaton224]

I just did mine yesterday, removed the reservior, used paint thinner to clean the filter and insides. Refilled with what the owners manual recommends...started her up, turned the wheel 2-3 times, refilled to max and now she purrs like a kitten.....my manual says to use mercon 3 atf fluid.....

[pitteach]

I finally got mine right after a few tries. I think the trick was that I did not have enough fluid in the res when I was bleeding it. Even though it was in range, I think the level dropped when I turned the wheel and sucked in more air. So I overfilled it a little to bleed, and then sucked out what I didn't need when done. Also, I had a lot more air in the system due to the change of the pump, which was a lot easier than expected. It took me a little over an hour including time to take off the cowling. I had a shop quote me 3 hrs labor and $300+ for the job. Remanufactured pump: $60 quart of Mercon V: $5. And I think I've finally figured out the serp belt removal and I found the little leaf spring that holds the tensioner as you remove the belt-a lot better than jamming a block of wood to hold the wrench!

A word of caution! The p/s pulley is not metal! I was just about to use the gear pulley remover when I realized that it made a dull thud sound when I tapped it. Got the special remover from AZone and it came fairly easily with the aid of some penetrating oil.