Flushing power steering.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,666
Likes: 111
From: southwest missouri
Flushing power steering.
I know this is not just related to our trucks but a lot of us have the power rack and power pump. I have the Saginaw pump (looks like a ham can). I was told that I have metal flakes in it. Said that the belt was to tight. Anyway is there a proper way to flush the system out ? The rack I think is a Thunderbird that came with the M2 style suspension. I really do not want to take the rack off as it is a bear to hook up the hose form the pump. All help will be appreciated. Thanks I have it in my 55
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,190
Likes: 4,798
From: Burbank, WA
Assuming you're replacing the p/s pump that's eating itself and contaminating your system, (get new hoses, too), hook up the pressure line from the pump to the rack and have the return line from the rack going into a pan or bucket. Plug the return port on the pump so it doesn't leak everywhere. Fill the reservoir with clean, new p/s fluid. This helps to have a helper, but all you can really do is run the engine and keep the pump full as the fluid runs out of the return hose into the bucket. Run it until you feel confident there's no chunks left in the rack, then put everything back together. Have several quarts of fluid on hand 'cause you'll go through a bunch of it pretty quickly. That's how I do it. Others may have different thoughts, and ymmv. Short of changing the rack, too, to make sure you're not contaminating your new pump with metal chunks, I don't know what else to advise.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 9,735
Likes: 823
From: Wentzville, MO
Sounds like you have another problem, did you fix your brakes? Are you planning to change the pump? If you've run it You may have already pushed stuff into your rack.
To flush I usually take the return line off and put the pump end into a gallon jug (like an empty antifreeze jug). Cap off the exposed return port on the pump and keep fluid in the pump. You'll need to turn the steering lock to lock several times. This will use quite a bit of fluid but you've gotta clean it out or risk seal failure in both the pump and rack.
Don't forget I'm heading down your way 20-21 August if you need some help.
To flush I usually take the return line off and put the pump end into a gallon jug (like an empty antifreeze jug). Cap off the exposed return port on the pump and keep fluid in the pump. You'll need to turn the steering lock to lock several times. This will use quite a bit of fluid but you've gotta clean it out or risk seal failure in both the pump and rack.Don't forget I'm heading down your way 20-21 August if you need some help.
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