Power Steering Pump

[crawdad]

This afternoon I had to replace the power steering pump on my truck. Got everything off and new pump back on, but in my hurry to get it all back together before dark, I forgot to flush the system before I took it out on the road to make sure there were no problems or leaks. Did I screw up and ruin everything by not doing this? Should I do it tomorrow before putting any more miles on it? Also, the new pump did not have a filter. Should I get some sort of in-line filter to put on the return line?

[chev74]

i have always been told to just start it up, crank the wheel all the way left- then right- then left- then right a few times and you pretty much are good to go. I have never had any problems, but that might just be me.

[crawdad]

Originally Posted by chev74

i have always been told to just start it up, crank the wheel all the way left- then right- then left- then right a few times and you pretty much are good to go. I have never had any problems, but that might just be me.

Well, that's exactly what I did too, so I hope you're right.

[Ivan D.]

I have an in-line filter in my return line, never hurts adding one for yers too.

[crawdad]

Originally Posted by Ivan D.

I have an in-line filter in my return line, never hurts adding one for yers too.

What kind of filter should I use? Does it require a special type?

[68GMC454]

i have never flushed one.. just turn it a few times in each direction and your good to go

[chev74]

never heard of an in-line filter for your power steering... interesting...

[Ivan D.]

I use one for fuel lines IIRC, 3/8" ports chrome thing from the local NAPA - I know it ain't exactly for ATF, but it's better than nothing.

[MylilBowTie]

http://www.cardone.com/english/club/...%2020-0021.pdf

You can get them at Rockauto.com

[chev74]

this is a little off topic- what, if any, problems would arise if you were to be driving and realized you were ow on PS fluid, but had none to spare, but you did have some brake fluid and substituted it for PS fluid?

dont mean to hijack the thread or anything, just curious

[MylilBowTie]

Ive heard of people using Transmission fluid. Never heard of using brake fluid. I dont think that would be to good on the seals switching fluids around.

[chev74]

i have used transmission fluid before. thats actually all i used to use in my '82. It just need some sort of hydraulic fluid

[Jason Spears]

When I replaced the lines on my power steering pump, the kit said to disconnect the return line and route it into a container, turn the wheel from side to side to get all the foamy oil out, and then reconnect. This is a good idea, as compressing air in your power steering pump can cause the fluid to degrade.

Brake fluid would probably not have the correct lubricating properties for your power steering pump.

That return line filter is a great idea, but a 200 micron filter is not that great, and they didn't specify what rating system they used. so you don't really know what you're getting. But any filter is better than nothing and is sure to help the life of your power steering system.

[Ivan D.]

About the filter, consider this - I have my truck converted to hydroboost, so when I I'm turning the wheel while releasing the brake pedal the system is dumping at least twice the flow of power steering alone, if not even more - all that ATF will have to go through the filter and back to the pump, any backpressure increase from the filter would affect dumping and will therefore be immediately felt as a surge in steering assist and/or brake pedal pulsation - I have none of that, never had it, so I assume the filter flows all it's demanded to flow by power steering and hydroboost at the same time.

[chev74]

actually i lied. it was me who put the brake fluid into my PS pump...

It seems to have fixed the leak though. After work there would usually be a 4-6" spot on the ground, but for the past two days there hasnt been one... any thoughts?

[87rado]

BF may very well have swelled the seals and hose connections. BF can be some really evil stuff. I suggest using it in the brake lines and perhaps slave cylinder lines, but not anywhere else. You can use it as a make shift paint stripper. It will bubble up paint pretty quick if left on a surface.
I have heard of using mineral oil or ATF in the PS pump, but this is a first for BF in there. It may stop your steering on a dime.

[chev74]

well im heading to my dad's dad's place tonight and he had quite a few parts trucks so ill find a donor this evening

[Ivan D.]

Originally Posted by chev74

well im heading to my dad's dad's place tonight and he had quite a few parts trucks so ill find a donor this evening

When you replace whatever needs replacing, make sure you flush the power steering system and fill it up with fresh ATF or whatever else non-brake fluid you choose to use - I usually run the engine real low on rpms with the retirn line disconnected, while at the same time turning the steering wheel lock to lock and filling up the pump tank, ideally you'd want to have someone help you and not run the engine but remove the belt and turn the pump by hand.

[xtreme80]

Originally Posted by chev74

well im heading to my dad's dad's place tonight and he had quite a few parts trucks so ill find a donor this evening

Ya, like someone else said, your leak probably stopped because the brake fluid caused the lines to swell. Brake fluid requires a certain type of rubber hose, and it can do nasty things to other systems.

If this is the case, I think it would be wise to replace any rubber hoses on your system with new ones, and make sure you thoroughly flush out all other components.

[Ivan D.]

If engine's still original to those moel years, the pressure hose to pump connection on chev74's truck should be flared fitting type, like a brake line only like 15 times bigger - there should noyt be any rubber seals there, so brake fluid shoildn't have had any effect on the leak. I'd also be concerned about the damage the steering box internals may have sustained, dunno what's in there rubber-wise, but if it starts acting funky that brake fluid would be my first suspect.

[MylilBowTie]

Take the power wire off the distributor and crank the engine over. This will help it fill up the power steering pump and not hurt it. You don't want to start the engine with the pump not primed. I would run power steering fluid and not all this other handy stuff laying around. I can see using stuff in a bind but not fixing it with good parts.

[chev74]

thanks for the help guys. again, sorry about hijacking your thread crawdad

[crawdad]

Originally Posted by chev74

thanks for the help guys. again, sorry about hijacking your thread crawdad

Not a problem. I learned something too.

[HOGDADDY]

The PS hoses wear from inside out and even though its not leaking, the crud from inside of hoses contaminates the fluid eventually and turns it black. Replace all lines.

[chev74]

yeah, today im going to replace all the lines and the pump. What else to replace guys?