[RESOLVED] power steering pump problems

[spicoli619]

so Ive searched the forums but all i see are people asking where to buy pumps. but i already know where ha ha.
my pump recently died on me so i replaced it with a rebuilt one from auto zone.
i put it in and bled the air out (or so i think i did) followed the manual to the letter.
but now the pump is still moaning and groaning. and is hard to steer. it really only groans when I'm steering but it still does a little at idle.
the weird thing is that it is hard to turn most of the time but i get almost like gushy spots where it turns fairly easy.
is this just cause there is still air in the system? or is it possible that the rack is bad? please any help would be awsome.
i even tried putting in the Lucas power steering fluid that is supposed to stop groaning and things like that but it didn't help at all. almost made it worse.
any help would be awsome.
thank you so much

 

[malibu80]

Double check hose connections for tightness. Make sure there are no leaks. Whenever I bleed out a system I rev the motor to 2500 in park and turn wheel full left hold it, then full right hold it. I do this 3-5 times. It should be fine after that, if not there is air getting in the line. If you are positive no air gets in and after bleeding, then it is still hard to turn. Then suspect the power steering pump. Also, make sure belt is tight and correctly installed. Again, assuming no oil leaks.

 

[Rob10_99]

Let the car sit after the fluid is all foamed, your not accomplishing anything putting air bubbles in the system. Let it foam up on you idling then turn it off until its mostly clear. Don't let the pump run the fill all the way down.

 

[spicoli619]

ok so do i turn it lock to lock? and hold it at the stop? it makes a really annoying sound when its maxed out steering.

 

[srpjosh]

Don't max out the steering wheel. While at idle, and the p/s cap is OFF, make sure the fluid is full, then turn the wheel left to right, 1/2 turns until the wheel loosens up (I had to turn mine about 20 times, both ways before it loosened up), re-fill the fluid as needed, if all else fails, get a new pump, the one you bought is just a rebuilt one that somene took off a car, just like you did to turn in a core. Also, the sound you are hearing is probably the p/s clutch. Make sure you have plenty of fluid in the resevoir beofre turning on the cr and cranking the wheel. Hopefully I've heped you out some. Good luck.

 

[spicoli619]

I got it in all working order now thanks to all your help. saved me time and money and for that I am grateful.
thank you so much
thread is now marked as resolved or solved what ever it is.