I really hope someone here can help me out. I installed a new power steering pump, and all new lines yesterday. The only thing I wasn’t able to replace was the return line end connection that goes to the steering box, but I did swap out the line. I cannot, for anything and the life of me bleed it. I have been sitting here with the front end jacked up, turning the wheel lock to lock for 20 minutes straight. I set up a second phone on a tripod to FaceTime myself, so I could watch the fluid. It just keeps bubbling, and never drops in level, only raises. What am I missing here? Could there be a blockage? Bad pump? (it’s remanufactured) Bad reservoir? I’m at my wits end trying to figure it out.
Power steering problems
- Thread starter geddygretzky
- Start date
Make sure all the plastic shipping protectors, caps and plugs have been removed from the pump and lines. They can turn a simple process into a shitstorm.
Try spinning the pump by hand for a while. That will help slowly circulate fluid.
If you're still having trouble, consider a vacuum bleed.
If you're still having trouble, consider a vacuum bleed.
Does the pump itself move fluid? Loosen the pressure line at the steering box. Does fluid come down the line? Spin the pump by hand. Now does it? If not then you know either the pump or the line is FUBAR.
Try and blow some low pressure air up the pressure line into the pump (cap on loosely) do you get air bubbles into the reservoir?
If any of these work then the pressure side should be ok. Now check the return side. Loosen fitting at box. Fluid coming down from the reservoir? If no, then there is your problem.
If you have oil at the pump and the return works then turn the steering with the return still loose. Oil should come out the return port. If so, triple check all your connections and have no plugs installed in anything and reassemble the whole system. Be sure you have the reservoir full. The only critical part needing fluid is the pump. Go ahead and have a buddy start the engine with you checking for leaks (or gushers!) ready to tell him to shut it down. If all is tight then cycle the steering with the engine running. Turning the steering with the engine off means the pump isn't being driven, so the pump isn't going to pump fluid down to the steering box.
P.s. I once had 3 bad steering pumps in a row that were
from Auto Zone. Good luck.
Try and blow some low pressure air up the pressure line into the pump (cap on loosely) do you get air bubbles into the reservoir?
If any of these work then the pressure side should be ok. Now check the return side. Loosen fitting at box. Fluid coming down from the reservoir? If no, then there is your problem.
If you have oil at the pump and the return works then turn the steering with the return still loose. Oil should come out the return port. If so, triple check all your connections and have no plugs installed in anything and reassemble the whole system. Be sure you have the reservoir full. The only critical part needing fluid is the pump. Go ahead and have a buddy start the engine with you checking for leaks (or gushers!) ready to tell him to shut it down. If all is tight then cycle the steering with the engine running. Turning the steering with the engine off means the pump isn't being driven, so the pump isn't going to pump fluid down to the steering box.
P.s. I once had 3 bad steering pumps in a row that were
from Auto Zone. Good luck.
OFFRD TJ
Member
Hello Folks - Today after I replaced my Power steering box with a reman Box and new pressure and return hoses. After the installation of PS box and topped off the PS fluid, my steering does not work anymore. It feels very light and the wheels don't move in any direction. Did I miss something or do I Install it incorrectly or could it be a bad PS Box?
My previous PS Box had some sloppiness to it so I decided to get it swapped. Now I am in a big mess. Please help.
I checked both the hoses and they seemed to be attached correctly. Steering coupler is also attached correctly. When I rotate the steering, the input shaft to the PS Box also rotates, but there is no movement in the output shaft connected to the pitman arm.
Note - I have an 06 TJ with 40L motor and fix speed tranny.
Thanks in advance for all your support
My previous PS Box had some sloppiness to it so I decided to get it swapped. Now I am in a big mess. Please help.
I checked both the hoses and they seemed to be attached correctly. Steering coupler is also attached correctly. When I rotate the steering, the input shaft to the PS Box also rotates, but there is no movement in the output shaft connected to the pitman arm.
Note - I have an 06 TJ with 40L motor and fix speed tranny.
Thanks in advance for all your support
Post some photos or a video. My thoughts are a comically bad reman, but perhaps there is a better explanation. If the input shaft rotates more than a couple degrees, the pitman should be moving
OFFRD TJ
Member
OFFRD TJ
Member
That has to be the worst reman ever... you can clearly see the splines on the input shaft rotate, and absolutely nothing on the pitman shaft.
I would send it back for sure. You could try adjusting the set screw to see if there are gears that could be brought into alignment but I wouldn't recommend it. Getting the right backlash is very difficult even with a properly made box, and you wouldn't want to give the re-manufacturer an excuse to try and fight a warranty.
If you're not financially strapped, check out the PSC big bore box. It is actually a new (not remanufactured) box with more displacement, and somewhat stronger parts. It also has ports to add cylinder assist should you ever want it in the future. @mrblaine sells full kits for the assist cylinder, as does PSC. I think only PSC sells the boxes though.
I would send it back for sure. You could try adjusting the set screw to see if there are gears that could be brought into alignment but I wouldn't recommend it. Getting the right backlash is very difficult even with a properly made box, and you wouldn't want to give the re-manufacturer an excuse to try and fight a warranty.
If you're not financially strapped, check out the PSC big bore box. It is actually a new (not remanufactured) box with more displacement, and somewhat stronger parts. It also has ports to add cylinder assist should you ever want it in the future. @mrblaine sells full kits for the assist cylinder, as does PSC. I think only PSC sells the boxes though.
OFFRD TJ
Member
Thanks Steel City for the insight. I have already reached out to BAP and requested for a replacement. Unfortunately, since I am over 60 days past the purchase date they can only offer me a replacement at this time. However, if the replacement fails then they would be willing to apply a full refund. I did take the lifetime replacement warranty so that gives me a bit of assurance.
Changing a PS Gear box is no joke, it requires a good amount of time, especially when you are doing it by yourself with no healj. The box weighs around 30 lbs and trying to connect it to the coupler is a somewhat challenging.
I initially thought of going with PSC big box but that costs over a grand and I don't have that much freedom to spend as I already invested a ton of money into my TJ, so trying to cutdown on my spending.
Will update on how things go once I install the replacement box.
Thanks again for the quick response.
OFFRD TJ
Member
Folks - I wanted to give an update on my PS gear box issue. So, I had the replacement part from BuyAutoParts which was also junk as I ended up returning it as well. I put my old PS Gear box which still works. Bottom line, the PS reman box from BuyAutoParts is junk. Don't waste your time, energy and money in BAP