Bleeding Power Steering - opinion

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Sep 9, 2017 | 07:16 PM

MFA

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Joined: Jun 2017

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From: Snohomish, WA

Bleeding Power Steering - opinion

Red Head Steering gear box was just put in. The bleeding instructions say to let it sit for at least two hours, but ideally overnight before working out any more air and topping off.

My questions is this: 2 hours vs. overnight is a huge difference. Anyone here have much experience between the two wait times and have a recommendation? Will is be that much better to wait or is 2 hours all it really needs?

Thanks in advance.

Sep 9, 2017 | 07:28 PM

Tedster9

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Joined: Apr 2002

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From: Waterloo, Iowa

Welcome to FTE

Well how much of a hurry are you in? I'd wait overnight just on GP.

Sep 9, 2017 | 07:47 PM

88n94

Cargo Master

Joined: Jan 2004

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From: South Dakota

I suppose it depends on how much patience you have and how big a hurry you are in to finish the job. Overnight, according to them, is supposedly better.

It may take a while of driving to get all the air out anyway. When I replaced the seals in the gear boxes in my F-150s they took some driving and topping off with fluid to get them back to normal. I just filled them and bled them right away, didn't know anything the waiting deal.

I would use the Ford recommended type F automatic transmission fluid as your power steering fluid.

Sep 9, 2017 | 08:07 PM

HeavyE85

Senior User

Joined: Oct 2016

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You could buy or rent a vauccum bleeder cap that fits the p/s resivour and use a hand vacuum pump, they work really well.

Sep 9, 2017 | 08:41 PM

MFA

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From: Snohomish, WA

Thanks. I'm not in a hurry but would have preferred to get it all wrapped and have one less thing to do tomorrow. At the same time I'm a stickler so I'll just sleep on it and do it in the morning.

I did use the type F trans fluid. So we're all good there.

Thanks again for the insight, guys.

Sep 10, 2017 | 03:09 AM

KULTULZ

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Joined: Mar 2002

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From: W (BY GOD) V

Imagine owning a large shop and you have done five pump replacements. You have to park those vehicles outside overnight to allow the systems to bleed...