Jeepwalker
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 928
- Location
- WI
Been going through a low Power Steering issue lately. Decided to back-flush the PS unit before I buy a new pump. Thought I'd post a picture how I did the flush for others who might need to do the same. A plugged internal filter is not uncommon cause for PS issues.
First remove the pump and reservoir. Remove the pulley. Heat up the reservoir return hose with a hair dryer. BE CAREFUL!!! Treat the reservoir as if it were a one-of-a-kind non-replaceable unit (because it IS!!). I don't even see used ones for sale right now. Don't drop it! Unbend the locking tabs & Tap the retaining clips off the pump, and remove from the pump.
I grabbed a hose which fits tight into the reservoir inlet AND tight into the suction gun hose. I blocked off the return line hose bib. Filled the reservoir 1/2 or so with solvent and soaked it a while. Then did some back-n-fourth pushing/sucking of solvent many times with the suction gun at high velocity. The goal is to force solvent through the filter hidden inside the reservoir to dislodge any build-up. Pushing fluid into the hole you see (pump-side) forces it back through the filter and should dislodge whatever is on the inside of the filter (as shown in the last picture). The filter filters fluid on the pump inlet side before fluid goes into the pump. There's a screen inside you can't see. Honestly, I don't have any evidence the filter in mine was plugged or not (the solvent I flushed-out/dumped out was pretty darn clear). I have no problem blowing air through the pump-side of the reservoir.
The PS pump looked real good internally, I didn't see any scoring or abnormal wear. Pressure valve filter was clear. Nothing dirty at all. The vanes fit real tight. Nothing looks out of place. It wasn't making any noise....just not much power steering. I'll exchange the PS fluid again before I install the pump ... (fluid wasn't too bad as I've exchanged it a few yrs ago) ..and I will install an aftermarket PS filter on the return side for a bit (for some extra filtering....then I'll remove it). I have a feeling I will still end up ordering a new pump, we'll see. But at least I'll know the reservoir filter isn't the problem.
Cut-away of two reservoirs: Plugged reservoir filter (left), ...and New reservoir (right). Not my picture.. link HERE.
First remove the pump and reservoir. Remove the pulley. Heat up the reservoir return hose with a hair dryer. BE CAREFUL!!! Treat the reservoir as if it were a one-of-a-kind non-replaceable unit (because it IS!!). I don't even see used ones for sale right now. Don't drop it! Unbend the locking tabs & Tap the retaining clips off the pump, and remove from the pump.
I grabbed a hose which fits tight into the reservoir inlet AND tight into the suction gun hose. I blocked off the return line hose bib. Filled the reservoir 1/2 or so with solvent and soaked it a while. Then did some back-n-fourth pushing/sucking of solvent many times with the suction gun at high velocity. The goal is to force solvent through the filter hidden inside the reservoir to dislodge any build-up. Pushing fluid into the hole you see (pump-side) forces it back through the filter and should dislodge whatever is on the inside of the filter (as shown in the last picture). The filter filters fluid on the pump inlet side before fluid goes into the pump. There's a screen inside you can't see. Honestly, I don't have any evidence the filter in mine was plugged or not (the solvent I flushed-out/dumped out was pretty darn clear). I have no problem blowing air through the pump-side of the reservoir.
The PS pump looked real good internally, I didn't see any scoring or abnormal wear. Pressure valve filter was clear. Nothing dirty at all. The vanes fit real tight. Nothing looks out of place. It wasn't making any noise....just not much power steering. I'll exchange the PS fluid again before I install the pump ... (fluid wasn't too bad as I've exchanged it a few yrs ago) ..and I will install an aftermarket PS filter on the return side for a bit (for some extra filtering....then I'll remove it). I have a feeling I will still end up ordering a new pump, we'll see. But at least I'll know the reservoir filter isn't the problem.
Cut-away of two reservoirs: Plugged reservoir filter (left), ...and New reservoir (right). Not my picture.. link HERE.
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