Bleeding Saginaw Power Steering Pump
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Lakeland, FL
Bleeding Saginaw Power Steering Pump
I just finished bolting in all the new parts for my Saginaw power steering pump.
I need to go buy a longer belt in the morning... but after that I'll be ready to bleed the air out and go for a drive.
I searched threads all the way back to 2004 and still couldnt come up the best way do do it.
Wheels of the ground, on the ground, truck on, truck off, turn wheels... and some even said dont bleed it... that it would bleed itself.
What should I do?
Thanks
I need to go buy a longer belt in the morning... but after that I'll be ready to bleed the air out and go for a drive.
I searched threads all the way back to 2004 and still couldnt come up the best way do do it.
Wheels of the ground, on the ground, truck on, truck off, turn wheels... and some even said dont bleed it... that it would bleed itself.
What should I do?
Thanks
The Southernmost Mod
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 6,902
Likes: 20
From: Caracas, Venezuela
What i have read on several places is: To fill it out, top the Steering Fluid (SF), then turn the engine on for a couple of seconds, then turn it off and fill again until the level of SF stops falling. Then after that just keep checking it for some days (air will be coming out so the SF will need to be completed again). This procedure was described for the intallation of a new/rebuilt steering box (which i just accomplished), so it should work for you just fine. I wouldn't worry too much.
So basically, yes, don't bleed it, the system will bleed itself. Also, when you fill the pump the engine should be off.
So basically, yes, don't bleed it, the system will bleed itself. Also, when you fill the pump the engine should be off.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Lakeland, FL
I bled out the air with the tires of the ground turning the wheel side to side, first with the truck off then cranked it and did the same.
seemed to work OK at first then a mile down the road I lost all power steering. fluid level is full and power steering is not making any noise.
What could be my issue?
I think the new longer belt i put on could be a tiny bit too big. is seems to vibrate a little. could this be my issue?
Thanks
seemed to work OK at first then a mile down the road I lost all power steering. fluid level is full and power steering is not making any noise.
What could be my issue?
I think the new longer belt i put on could be a tiny bit too big. is seems to vibrate a little. could this be my issue?
Thanks
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,005
Likes: 7
From: Ottawa, Ontario
When I first bought my '89 F150, it had sat in a barn for a number of years and the whine was unbelievably high pitch from the Ford C2 pump.
It whined for over a month but slowly got quieter and quieter as time went by of just driving the truck, level kepted going down some also as the noise was going away. I just kept adding fluid to it till finally it was completely quiet and level didn't go down no more.
It bled it's self out. You can do the same to yours.
It whined for over a month but slowly got quieter and quieter as time went by of just driving the truck, level kepted going down some also as the noise was going away. I just kept adding fluid to it till finally it was completely quiet and level didn't go down no more.
It bled it's self out. You can do the same to yours.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Lakeland, FL
Any other ideas.... I feel like if there was air in it, it would be noisy. Its running almost silent but I still have little to no power steering. The reservoir is full and there are no leaks. I'm confused.
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Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,052
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From: Jacksonville FL
I didn't bleed my Saginaw. It worked perfect right out the box and still is one of my favorite mods.
I used type F trans fluid for it though.
Also I had to use a smaller belt when I did my swap.
I used type F trans fluid for it though.
Also I had to use a smaller belt when I did my swap.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Lakeland, FL
Yeah... I bled mine and a few bubbles came out. It is super quiet... And when it works its effortless but sometimes it gets jerky and cuts out.
I had to get a longer belt because the pulley was a little bigger. I just can't figure out why i lose power steering.
I used type F too
I had to get a longer belt because the pulley was a little bigger. I just can't figure out why i lose power steering.
I used type F too
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,661
Likes: 111
From: southwest missouri
did you ever figure out why you lost steering. I know this is an old thread but I am replacing a pump that is off a 77/78 400 in my 55 f-100. I have also been looking at you tube and it looks like all the insides are the same on the Saginaw which is good.
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