How to "Bleed" a Power Steering Pump?

[pharmer]

Help! Just replaced a power steering pump on a 73' Pontiac Grand Am. The old pump was leaking badly and I had started the motor up several times with no fluid in the reservoir. Now that the new pump is on I have great amounts of air in the system. I've tried the old way of bleeding by turning the motor on for a couple of seconds and turning the steering wheel from left lock to right lock. Done this 20 or 30 times and the pump still fills with foam in just a couple seconds of running time. Is there something else I can to do bleed the air out of the system? If I continue with this method I've been performing will I ever get the air out of the system? Thanx.

 

[crossbow]

Pharmer,

I have a 74 grand am

.

We put the front of the car on jacks, (so that the steering wasn't under load) and MANUALLY turned the wheels with the engine off, about 30-40 times. (All the way to the left, all the way to the right...nice and even, and quite slowly)

You have to constantly check the level of the pump though, as it'll quickly lower as the air is pushed out.

We got almost all the air out...but the new pump is at a weird angle, so I think air gets into the system now and then in a banking turn

.

 

[pharmer]

Crossbow, Thanks for the excellent advice. Followed your instructions and it worked great. Got MOST of the air out of the system in about 20 minutes. Since you're a fellow Grand Am owner do you have any ideas on how to repair, replace, or fix the front Enduro nose, grill surround, and parking light surrounds? I've owned this car for about 20 yrs. and it has been garaged, out of the weather, and the rubber front cap still deteriorated and broke up. Can't find a new-old-stock or reproduction anywhere. This car is one of the few factory 4-speed cars I've seen with the rock-crusher M-22 transmission. 400 cu. in. motor, posi-rear end with .273 gears in it. It was ordered during the big fuel shortage era of the early 70's. Maroon color with maroon interior. Just needs a new nose. If any body out there knows of where to find a good Enduro front surround for A 73' Grand Am pls. let me know. Thanks again Crossbow for your help. Ain't the Internet great(sometimes)!

 

[crossbow]

Hey Pharmer,

Glad the technique worked for you. We tried a variety of methods for a long time, and eventually stumbled upon someone who had that advice.

I still get some pump noise now and then, so I figure it will probably have to be done at least once more. (Its a pain).

The new pump I got from advanced auto fit up perfectly, but its tilted about 30 degrees from a full vertical position. Almost seems like I might be inducing air into the system sometimes

.

Here's a great resource for a replacement nose.

http://www.grandamparts.com

I hope the mods don't mind the url...I doubt anyone but you and I will have any use of visiting the site

.

Its a bit expensive, but according to the grandam forum, its the best you can get (replacement wise).

I have a 400 V8 4-Barrel Qjet, with a TH400 Auto transmission. (1974)

Here's a quick snapshot of my two cars.

Have a good one!

quote:

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Originally posted by pharmer:
Crossbow, Thanks for the excellent advice. Followed your instructions and it worked great. Got MOST of the air out of the system in about 20 minutes. Since you're a fellow Grand Am owner do you have any ideas on how to repair, replace, or fix the front Enduro nose, grill surround, and parking light surrounds? I've owned this car for about 20 yrs. and it has been garaged, out of the weather, and the rubber front cap still deteriorated and broke up. Can't find a new-old-stock or reproduction anywhere. This car is one of the few factory 4-speed cars I've seen with the rock-crusher M-22 transmission. 400 cu. in. motor, posi-rear end with .273 gears in it. It was ordered during the big fuel shortage era of the early 70's. Maroon color with maroon interior. Just needs a new nose. If any body out there knows of where to find a good Enduro front surround for A 73' Grand Am pls. let me know. Thanks again Crossbow for your help. Ain't the Internet great(sometimes)!

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