On another thread the below method was suggested to flush the power steering system fluid:

"....Vehicle off and a helper remove the hose from the pump (the hose with the clamp) this is the return line! Cap or plug the port the line hooks to, have a helper hit the key and you will see ugly nasty fluid going into the container, while this is going on keep adding new fluid to the resovoir until you see new fluid coming from the line. Shut off vehicle remove plug on port re attach line with clamp and fill resovoir to proper limits."

My question is:
Although this sounds like a better idea than what I've been doing - just siphoning out some fluid and replenishing what was removed - if you follow the method described above, I suspect that the engine will start during the procedure. It seems to me that if the engine starts, it may damage the PS pump, correct or not? Or, should a person (somehow) short out the ignition system to prevent the engine from starting while cranking it over to purge the PSteering pump system????

Any thoughts or suggestions on this?

Thanks!
BarnieTrk
'94 XLT, 2X4, 2.3L, 5-speed.

 

Exactly right, if you start the engine the pump will run dry in about 1 second.

Simplest thing to do is give the inertia switch a whack to pop the button up, or remove the fuel pump fuse & flush it at cranking speed.

 

Thanks for the reply & advice, 87 XLT!!

I didn't even think of hitting the inertia switch... VERY EXCELLENT!

 

Glad I could help. BTW, the reason that I know the pump will run dry in one second is that I helped a friend swap in a used steering gear box on his 88 Ranger.

We figured it would be a good idea to flush the system, so we removed the return hose & fired it up.

About 1 second later the pump ran dry & made a helluva racket. So we finished the flush at cranking speed.