Power steering pump and reservoir replacement.

[xrsteve]

Hi all,

Today I changed the pump and reservoir along with fluid in a Ma 08 petrol modeo.

No drama putting the pump on straight forward really. The issue im having is.... When the car is running the steering is harder than when it's off. The car is jacked up so I am able to bleed the system buy turning full lock to lock whilst wheel are off the ground.

The is no more air coming out of the reservoir so I'd assuune the bleed process is fine.

The pump is quite no whine, but like I said engine off wheels up turning lock to lock the steering is lighter that what it is when the engine is running doing the same process.
This would suggest the pump is causing more force than mitigating force.

I'm stuffed as to why!!. If it was an air lock the pump would squeal like a stuffed pig but nothing at all silent.

Any ideas??

Cheers Steve.

[russellw]

There are 2 or 3 different pumps for the MA but we'll assume that you have the correct one.

First thing to check is that there are no kinks in the PS hoses that might be restricting fluid flow.

The bleed process is not overly simple and I suspect that is more likely the cause. To properly bleed the system you require special tools 211-189 (PS Bleed adaptor) and 416-D001 (Hand Operated Vacuum Pump) which are used to maintain a vacuum at the reservoir while bleeding.

Cheers
Russ

[rondeo]

Manual:

https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&r...ceuxMThVbt0iCw

[rondeo]

Adapter info:

https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&r...hHPZ6o723JKfVA

In addition to probable causes given by Russ, maybe contamination by seal debris from rack?

[xrsteve]

The pump was matched to the vehicle by VIN. No kinks, I've taken it to a PS specialist who was aware of how difficult the bleeding process is. So far no good may be a stuffed rack as well.

Anyone have any ideas of how much they (power steering rack) costs?.

Cheers Steve.

[russellw]

A stuffed rack was always the other option but I didn't want to raise that possibility. Not sure what a dealer will charge but I've seen remanufactured ones around the $450 mark.

Cheers
Russ

[xrsteve]

Default Re: Power steering pump
Afternoon all,

After many hours of racking my brain along with 4 mechanics I know pretty much came to the conclusion that the steering rack must be stuffed!!.

I could not work out how that could be when prior to installing pump and reservoir there was no issue with the rack.

As I was about to drive from the mechanic (who bled the system. Then back bled the high and low pressure lines) the PAS gave me a little bit of operation.

I had a look in the reservoir and started playing with the two filters in the reservoir (which is a part of the "ford modified" reservoir upgrade). As I moved the second filter I noticed a small amount of flow so I played some more out popped the filter and thank you PAS we have with nil issue quiet and smooth.

After looking through 100 pages on talkford, I found someone who said you have to pull the second filter out after running the vehicle this filter was completely blocked. He also learnt the hard way

A PS specialist has never heard or seen this before neither have I or my mech blokes I know.

Ford also stated when I called them they had no idea you had to remove it!! " but glad I know if I ever had to do it".

Anyway cheers for your assistance.