H3 Power steering fluid bled.. PROBLEMS

[humvee]

Hi guys,

After uninstalling and reinstalling the rack and pinion, I bled and replaced the power steering fluid; now I get steering noises while turning.
Whats the deal here? Is the rest of the air just making its way out of my steering components? should I give it a couple of days? Or did I miss something.

I recently changed the power steering pump, so I'm sure it shouldn't fail by itself like this. The weird this is, after re-installing my rack & pinion, I drove it around for a couple of hours before bleeding the fluid (without any issues). But then I read that its essential to bleed the fluid after a job like this... So I did, and immediately after, this happened.

I even used the proper power steering oil from GM...

Any ideas?

 

[Best4x4]

I just replaced the PS Pump on my Alpha and I flushed the system and replaced the fluid with Royal Purple. When I installed the pump I spun the PS pump by hand to basically prime it before starting the H3, and the pump only made a sound for maybe a second. After that I flushed the system until I had purple fluid and checked the level and topped it off as needed. Zero issues with air in the system.

Try to flush the system again and maybe you'll get the air pocket out.

 

[digglesworth]

Where can I find this process? I gotta pull my rack to install the rack mount kit so I gotta bleed the system once its all back together.

 

[08H3]

My guess is that there was air when you started and it probably became aerated during the drive. Let it set overnight then bleed and see if that helps. If not, someone smarter than me will chime in hopefully. Reference http://schwarttzy.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Hummer-H3-Power-Steering1.pdf about 1/4 way down for procedure.

 

[humvee]

Where can I find this process? I gotta pull my rack to install the rack mount kit so I gotta bleed the system once its all back together.

I just fitted the rack kit... After reinstalling, be sure not to over-tighten the bolts or your steering wont track back.. Use a small/medium sized torque wrench, its really tight in there.

My guess is that there was air when you started and it probably became aerated during the drive. Let it set overnight then bleed and see if that helps.

Thanks.. I'll re-bleed the system today using the official manual as a guide. The guys at the garage specialize in Jeeps... Maybe they took a couple of shortcuts. I guess if you want something done right, gotta do it yourself!


I took it for alignment and found that all the upper control arm bushings are shot, BOTH SIDES!! Still waiting on Preferred Chassis or Outfitters to come up with a serviceable pair.

 

[ReconH3]

Jack front wheels off the ground. Turn steering side to side without turning on engine. Air should start to bubble in reservoir. Fill fluid level back up. Keep turning steering side to side until it stops bubbling. Give engine a start. Let it run 30 secs with out steering and stop. Let the bubbles settle. Start again and steer side to side a couple of times. Stop and let bubbles settle. Check level in reservoir often and fill accordingly. Drop vehicle. Drive away. It took me a day or two for system to completely purge. The first time I didn't do the jacking wheels up and steering with engine off and it took longer for bubbles to purge and it may have actually damaged pump because it had to be replaced not long after.


"Ex Umbris Venimus"

 

[4speedfunk]

I wasn't aware there was a "bleeding procedure". Since the reservoir is at the highest point of the system, its inherently self-bleeding, right? I've swapped several H3 racks and never had any issues...I just start it up...work the wheel back & forth...top off the level. Done. However, this has always been a "rack only" swap. Perhaps the issue is worse when swapping the pump?

 

[08H3]

You're right. The "bleeding procedure" is exactly what you described. Work the wheel back and forth and top it off. The rack isn't a complicated piece of machinery. I think the only time you run into any kind of problem is if you don't get the air worked to the reservoir first and end up aerating it. I'm basing this on working with hydraulic cylinders, not necessarily racks, but I'd think the physics are the same.

 

[humvee]

Jack front wheels off the ground. Turn steering side to side without turning on engine.

Thanks! Will give it a try tonight, and re-post results.

I need to get this out of the way, LED lights arrived and I'm super excited

 

[humvee]

Alright, I followed the instructions, but there were no bubbles at all. And the reservoir was already almost full.

The noise is still there when I turn my steering. Is it possible that I have overtightened the drivers side bolts and sleeve? and the pump is struggling to push the rack components in each direction?

 

[08H3]

I suppose it could have been overtightened. The DS wouldn't have an impact, but I suppose the passenger side could. Outside of that, I'm at a loss. Good luck getting to the bottom of it.

 

[H32NV]

mine made noises for two days after bleeding. i assumed it was air bubbles somewhere in the system. I had just replaced the pump with an OEM unit from RockAuto. I was worried too, and decided to let it sit for a day and a night. Woke up the next morning and it was quiet as a mouse.

 

[humvee]

mine made noises for two days after bleeding, and then went away.

Thanks.. I really hope it sorts itself out. Do you have the Scopeworks or Outfitters bracket installed?

 

[H32NV]

No, believe it or not, i think its '99-/07 tundras have a way beefier steering bushings and i actually just bolted that on in place of the OEM POS. No mods. Perfect fit.

 

[humvee]

Very impressive! I wouldn't have the guts. Pics?