Bleeding powersteering pump...

GBsPanhead

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Guys, I've been out of commission since October....ankle surgery.

Anyway, Before my surgery, I had replaced my PS pump. Watched videos, researched on internet, etc on how to bleed the pump. I jacked front end up so front wheels off ground, turned wheel full left/right at least over a 100 times, with motor off. Tried with motor on, still no good. I get fluid out of the return line to the pump, but seems to dribble. Fluid out of the pump flows nicely. Only reason I changed PS pump is because I mis-diagnosed a squeal from what I thought was a PS pump....it wasn't. (Old pump taken apart...I don't wanna talk about that lol). I can't hardly turn steering wheel when wheels on ground. Before PS pump change, I could sit in driveway, motor running, and turn steering wheel with just one finger.

Thoughts? What am I doing wrong? Thanks.
 
You put the belt back on... didn't ya. :poke:
Sounds like a restriction. Is the replacement a new, rebuilt or used pump? Correct year and application. Does the steering wheel move when you start the engine? Maybe air got into the gearbox itself. Not much can go wrong with all good parts.
 
Don't use power steering fluid. I would need to look it up but I think I used F-type ATF. This was recommend by me from a retired mopar mechanic. I had no issues once I replaced the fluid, lots of bubbles with the power steering fluid.

At least a place to start, sounds like you might have something else going on too.
 
Yes....belt is on! :D

It's a PS pump from RA. Correct for my '69 300. Looks identical to my old PS pump.

Wheel turns when on ground...but acts like no PS.

Depressing because I mis-diagnosed a squeal. I have old/original pump in a box....in pieces. I really want to get the original pump rebuilt. Need to research/find someone that can do that.

I need to take the feed line off at the steering gear box to see what the flow is into the box. Maybe line got debry in it, but I doubt it.

Like I said, all was working great until I replaced the damn PS pump...which didn't need it!! :BangHead:
 
Don't use power steering fluid. I would need to look it up but I think I used F-type ATF. This was recommend by me from a retired mopar mechanic. I had no issues once I replaced the fluid, lots of bubbles with the power steering fluid.

At least a place to start, sounds like you might have something else going on too.

I used this.....

PS fluild.PNG
 
Don't use power steering fluid. I would need to look it up but I think I used F-type ATF. This was recommend by me from a retired mopar mechanic. I had no issues once I replaced the fluid, lots of bubbles with the power steering fluid.

Please explain why, as this goes against the grain of everything I've heard and or read.
 
All I can say is I was having the same exact problem tons of bubbles he said you didn't put power steering fluid in it did you, I said yes, he said there's your problem.

6 years later still no issues. I will call him now and see if I can get a confirmation. He has never strayed me wrong.
 
Did you replace the return hose? It could be collapsed or restricted. Or a restriction, as noted in the sector?
 
I confirmed the ATF with my buddy. If there is no bubbles in your system then then you have other issues. If it is loaded with bubbles then your fluid is most likely your problem.

That is what he told me, just trying to help out with what sounded like a similar issue that I had.
 
I've always been told to use power steering fluid and NOT use ATF in the Mopar systems.

The ATF has all sorts of friction additives for the clutches. It's been my experience that when I find a Mopar with leaky power steering, the puddles are always red ATF.
 
Did you bleed the system with the front end jacked up per the service manual? Jacked up with the motor running, one full turn to the left and one full turn to the right. The manual doesn't instruct to jack the front end up but I've felt it is easier to turn if the wheels are barely off the ground.

Screen Shot 2020-01-19 at 11.52.44 AM.png
 
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Remove the pressure hose from the steering gear and put the end into a capture container. If you get good flow, the pump is working. If you do not get good flow, the pump is defective or the inner liner of your pressure hose has collapsed or come apart and blocked the line. It is always a good idea to put new hoses on with a new pump. If the return line is dribbling, you are not getting good flow and you need to determine if the pump or one of the hoses is bad. You disturbed the hoses removing the pump and odds are that the pressure hose gave out.

Dave
 
Ok, here's where I'm at....between watching football and working on car. I removed the high pressure side where it goes into steering box, have good flow, but not sure if should be high pressure? I can put my finger over the feedline end, (Like on a garden hose), and I can hold the pressure in the hose with my finger tip. If that makes sense. Removed return line off steering box, and same thing. Seems like more fluid goes into steering box than comes out. I'm not sure actually how much pressure should actually becoming out of the pump itself. hmmmm
 
Also put feed line into a clear jar, saw fluid pumping pretty good, no bubbles, but doesn't come shooting out of hose. Not sure what it should look like. Also put return line into jar, didn't see any bubbles.
 
Ok, here's where I'm at....between watching football and working on car. I removed the high pressure side where it goes into steering box, have good flow, but not sure if should be high pressure? I can put my finger over the feedline end, (Like on a garden hose), and I can hold the pressure in the hose with my finger tip. If that makes sense. Removed return line off steering box, and same thing. Seems like more fluid goes into steering box than comes out. I'm not sure actually how much pressure should actually becoming out of the pump itself. hmmmm

Power Steering runs at at least 1050psi at 600 rpms, you appear to have a bad pump. Is this a saginaw or a federal pump

Dave
 
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Ok, here's where I'm at.. Removed return line off steering box, and same thing. Seems like more fluid goes into steering box than comes out. I'm not sure actually how much pressure should actually becoming out of the pump itself. hmmmm

If that is the case, you must have some blockage inside the box itself that's not allowing fluid to flow. BTW. you may have borked things up when you started this bleeding thing, you should only slightly turn the wheel to just crack the valve on the system both left & right, slowly increasing your turns until you hit full L & R lock. I hope that's not your problem? Good Luck
Also put feed line into a clear jar, saw fluid pumping pretty good, no bubbles, but doesn't come shooting out of hose. Not sure what it should look like. Also put return line into jar, didn't see any bubbles.
It should just flow at about the same amount of fluid out as what goes in, but not at a pressurized rate, just a flow.
 
Federal pump. Definitely not 125psi coming out of the pump! I'll try to get video this week of what the output looks like. Just pulled her into carport, and covered for the night.
 
I missed a digit on the pressure reading should be 1050 psi with the outlet port blocked with a gauge. Spec sheet is attached. Note there is a flow control valve inside the pump that is likely stuck shut. Click on mail 0011 not the icon. The FSM give the service procedure for the flow valve, but since it is a rebuilt, I would return the pump for a replacement.

Dave
 

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