Hard steering

ANK1981

MEMBER
1997 DODGE AVENGER
2.5L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
134,000 MILES

I replaced the power steering pump, replaced the power steering hose and also replaced the rack and pinion. After installation I went to go bleed the system of course had the front wheels off the ground. The problem i'm having is bleeding the system. I have done left to right 15-20 times still air bubbles in the reservoir I go turn the engine one with the cap on the reservoir. Still having issues bubbles still forming. At one point it foamed out. So what am I doing wrong and what can I do to get these bubbles out so I can drive without hard steering?

9 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,536 POSTS

You are doing nothing wrong the system self bleeds instantly. The problem is the system is sucking in air from the pump seal, I would get another unit (high quality). Here is a guide to help you step by step with instructions in the diagrams below to show you how on your car. Check out the diagrams (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.

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Thursday, January 14th, 2021 AT 9:12 AM

ANK1981

MEMBER
24 POSTS

Good evening, I have finally got my new pump and installed this evening still have to flush out the system. Well, while installing the new pump I was looking at the diagrams you sent me and where the pressure hose connects to the top part of the pump I noticed it has 2 o-rings well the first one I had I only installed just one o-ring. So, i'm thinking when trying to bleed the system it wasn't getting the air out i'm thinking instead the pump was allowing more air into the system. Thinking to myself I bled the system and why it took longer than it should have. I did in fact install the 2 o-rings and connected the hoses and hopefully everything going better.

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Monday, January 18th, 2021 AT 4:56 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,536 POSTS

The system is self bleeding so you know. Let me know if the problem goes away.

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Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 AT 12:52 PM

ANK1981

MEMBER
24 POSTS

Good afternoon Ken, I am sending this to let you know that I got my second rack and pinion in and everything went well got the front end aligned and also the shop went ahead and flushed and bled the system out and put brand new fluid in. Got this done yesterday by the way. Well I drove my car this morning to work and all a sudden as I took a right turn I heard a loud boom coming from the steering rack. On the right side fluid leaking every where and enough force to open my trunk lid that's insane. Anyways, I want to know what caused the boom and leak on a brand new rack and pinion. Oh after I installed the new rack I didn't have no issues at all then the shop I took it to suggested the flush and bleeding the system so my question is was it another defected part or did the shop do something to cause this leak? Like I said it was fine before they did the flush and bleed then after less than 24 hours later it blows like that. Please help thanks.

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Saturday, January 30th, 2021 AT 3:08 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,536 POSTS

I am wondering if the upper strut mounts are bad not allowing the steering to move freely. Here is how you can replacement, Of course you will need to have the rack redone but something must be causing this to happen. Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find.

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