87aerostar

Replaced the PS pump and rack on 87 aerostar. Fittings don't leak and
fluid is right at top line of 'cold' level on dipstick before I start
the engine. I flushed the system by briefly turning over the engine
(ignition disabled) and refilling the reservior. This was repeated a
few times and I verified the fluid coming out of the return line was
clear. Belt tension is good. Then I started the engine and I attempt
to bleed the system by rotating the steering wheel from
just-before-the-stop back to just-before-the-other-direction's-stop but
all I get is a no-assist, hard turning with shuddering as I go back and
forth. Also I don't get any whining noise at all. Neighbor mechanic
said it takes a while to break in new systems but it's been a couple of
days with no change. What am I doing wrong?

oldkid

you didn't say why you replaced them both.

oldkid

oldkid wrote:
> you didn't say why you replaced them both.or with what.sounds like pump is not achieving pressure.if parts are rebuilt i suppose ya coulda got a bad one.

Backyard Mechanic

"oldkid" <o2pz5y402@sneakemail.com> wrote:

> you didn't say why you replaced them both.
>

Yep, it would help to know that.

You didnt, by any chance, ACCIDENTLY take the pressure port valve apart
did you? IT's the brass thingy between pump and Hi-press line

The pump is pretty simple... hard to believe itself was assembled wrong.

The valve body in the rack being assembled wrong is a suspect but what a
pita if that's the problem!



--
Yeh, I'm a Krusty old Geezer, staving off dementia here..DEAL with it!

87aerostar

It may have been overkill but I wanted to start from zero doubt on both
components - having had problems with the power steering before. The
theory was, even if I spent more on parts, I'd save on time by avoiding
another trip. Boy was that wrong. I did not disassemble any valves -
just disconnected the hoses, pulled off the pulley, then pump, pulled
off the tie rod ends and mount bolts on the rack and reversed to
install new parts. I _did_ put a power steering fluid filter in the
return line. This was done after the initial flushing of the new
parts. My next step may be just to remove that and see if that has any
effect.