GM Power Steering Help

[70TWO NOVA]

Hey guys,
Heres my situation. I purchased a 12.7:1 GM "600" steering gearbox, new Saginaw PS pump, new lines, and rag-joint. I installed everything filled the system with fluid and attemted to purge the system multiple times. (I raised the front end off the ground and with the car running turned the wheel slowly from side to side 15 times) It still seems as if the power assist isnt working 100%. I get some assist, but not what it should be. Am I doing something wrong, is this the correct procedure for "pruging" the system? Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks Guys

[HILROD]

Is the box new? The problem could be in the box, or you could have foaming in the fluid. I usually try to bleed the system with the engine not running. If you fluid looks foamy, just let the car sit for a while not running and check the fluid level when it's cooled off. Also some of the faster ratio units have a harder feel built in. The box in my Camaro almost feels like it's non-power at low speeds.

[70TWO NOVA]

Yes it is a brand new box, and now that you mention it i did see some foaming in the fluid. Purging it with the engine off works?
I did expect some more resistance with it since it was a quick ratio, but it feels like too much resistance.

[UNISTEER]

Brian,


Like I said in the PM; it sounds like you have a small amount of air in the lines. The best thing to do unfortuantely, is to just let the car sit for a day or maybe two. The air(foam) should work itself out in that period of time. With foam present unfortunately there won't be a easy, quick way to get the air out.... you could try removing the pressure line to maybe help the gravity bleed aspect a bit.

We have had guys call us that couldn't let the car sit and decided to just drive the car until the air worked itself out. Most reservoir caps have a built in breather which will allow for the added air.

The normal procedure is to pour the fluid in the reservoir. Start the car and while idling, SLOWLY turn the wheel back and fourth to circulate the fluid.


Let me know how this works for you.

[68nate]

If you think you have an issue with air trapped in the system, pull a vacuum on the reservoir while running the engine at 2500-3000 rpm while turning the wheel lock to lock. Ford explorers and rangers have a huge problem with air in the system if you turn the wheel with the engine not running- steering wheel shakes violently once the engine is running and you try to steer. very difficult to get the air out. We rigged up a cap to seal over the reservoir cover that has a nipple to hook engine vacuum to. Within a couple minutes all air is purged from the system.

[Texas Hotrod]

I had that problem on a Ford van that I was working on. The fluid was foamy, and the pump sounded terrible.
I installed a nipple in an old cap, ran a vacuum line from the cap to the intake, and let it idle for several minutes.
It cleared right up. It was amazing to see the fluid turn from foam to liquid pronto like.

I've noticed on newer Chevys, that during a PS service, it's hard to get the pump to prime. I am now in the habit of filling the system w/the pressure line stuffed into an old antifreeze jug. I'll crank the engine just to the point where it starts and cut it off (long enough to push fluid past the pressure reg.). Then it seems to get pressure instantly w/no risks from a dry start.