steering box burping or purging
 

I just swapped out my 72 steering box for a 76 variable ratio box last night. There still seems to be air trapped in the system. I've been turning the wheel with the engine off to finish burping..bleeding..purging..whatever the correct terminology. It seems to be taking quite a while. How long does this process usually take? Is there a better way?

Re: steering box burping or purging
 

ive always cranked the engine so the power steering pump was pressurizing system. turn wheel lock to lock about 4-5 times and all is good.

Re: steering box burping or purging
 

This is the only way. I did it when I swapped to an custom AGR box & AGR super pump - it's also what they recommended. I put the truck on the my lift and literally turned the wheel back and forth slowly at least 50 times (before I stopped counting), using the driver side front wheel so I could see the power steering reservoir while turning it. You have to get ALL the air out. When you think its out, bump the motor over a couple times and do it some more. It is a tedious process.

Re: steering box burping or purging
 

Yeah, I've been doing this off and on now for a day and a half. It still seems to have air in it. The box moans when I drive it. I may have to flush and refill also. It is tedious, for sure!

Re: steering box burping or purging
 

I usually fill the res, start the engine, go lock to lock a few times, and top the res off. Done.

Re: steering box burping or purging
 

I finally got it purged, but during some autocross action this week, it would start moaning real bad when the fluid got hot. The box had old, "brown" fluid in it. I'll probably look into an external cooler and do a good flush and refill in the process.