Power steering pump noise

[lars y]

Hi,
I recently got my car started after a build. The last problem i`m having now is the power steering pump isn`t working properly. It makes that hydraulic kinda sound and works only after iv`e held the steering wheel to one side a couple seconds.

The Fluid seems fine (right in the middle of MIN and MAX)

I had the whole system out when i did the engine build, so do i need to bleed it or something?

Also, what kind of fluid should i use in it? Trans oil?

Thanks

 

[BlackKnight2013]

Hi,
I recently got my car started after a build. The last problem i`m having now is the power steering pump isn`t working properly. It makes that hydraulic kinda sound and works only after iv`e held the steering wheel to one side a couple seconds.

The Fluid seems fine (right in the middle of MIN and MAX)

I had the whole system out when i did the engine build, so do i need to bleed it or something?

Also, what kind of fluid should i use in it? Trans oil?

Thanks

probably just need to bleed it. you can take a rubber cork that matches the reservoir fill hole and use a vacuum pump and apply vacuum to the reservoir and turn the steering back and forth and it should take all the air out of the system. power steering fluid that should be used is dextron 2 which is now covered by dexron 3 as the service manual says.

 

[TSiAWD666]

I don't believe the vacuum pump/cork is necessary. Jack the car up, start it, and slowly go back and forth from full lock on each side while someone monitors the reservoir level (it's fine to stand there with the cap open). Do this about twenty times and you'll be good to go.

Alternative to jacking the car up if you're concerned with that is on a smooth surface like a garage floor you can lower the front tires onto pieces of cardboard so that you can rotate the tires easily (since the cardboard will slide).

 

[BlackKnight2013]

I don't believe the vacuum pump/cork is necessary. Jack the car up, start it, and slowly go back and forth from full lock on each side while someone monitors the reservoir level (it's fine to stand there with the cap open). Do this about twenty times and you'll be good to go.

Alternative to jacking the car up if you're concerned with that is on a smooth surface like a garage floor you can lower the front tires onto pieces of cardboard so that you can rotate the tires easily (since the cardboard will slide).

i know the cork thing isn't neccessary but its how i get noisy power steering pumps to quit making noise even though the reservoir is full

 

[lars y]

Great, thanks for the tips!
But turns out i had misread the manual, and checked the fluid level only when the engine was off, so i had to start the engine, open the cap, then start pouring in fluid.

 

[BlackKnight2013]

your welcome anytime