steering questions
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From: shawnee KS
steering questions
Hello all. Just went through the timing horror on the 98 explorer. Everything works fine but there is a minor jumping in the steering now. Seems like the pump or the rack. (Hydraulic feeling) Checked fluid, full. Looked for crimped, smashed lines, nothing. Air in the lines? Nothing having anything to do with any of this was removed with the engine, it was tied aside. Any thoughts?
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From: shawnee KS
That's the thing, we-a close friend-and I did the job. I just drove the family to dinner and back, and it was not as noticeable. Maybe air did get in the system when the pump assy. and associated bracketry and lines were tied back out of the way. I'll let ya'll know if it does disappear.
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You did get air in the p/s system. I have that same problem with mine every time I turn the wheels with the truck up on jacks and the engine off. The steering wheel vibrates so badly that it feels like I'm driving on a washboard road at freeway speeds. It's especially bad when making low speed turns. However, after about 20 or 30 miles of driving, the air is purged and all is normal.
I seem to recall someone on this forum making a suggestion to start the engine before turning the wheels, then shut it off. I'll have to try that next time I have to work on the front end. The Explorer is the only vehicle I've ever had that does this. Wierd.
I seem to recall someone on this forum making a suggestion to start the engine before turning the wheels, then shut it off. I'll have to try that next time I have to work on the front end. The Explorer is the only vehicle I've ever had that does this. Wierd.
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From: shawnee KS
Wow. That is wierd. However what you said makes sense because I had the front end up today puttin in new plugs, and I did turn the tires with the engine off. And like I said, out to dinner, 5-6 miles total, and it did lessen quite a bit.
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Usually I do this... put in park.. hold at about 2500 rpm and turn the wheels from lock to lock about 5 times.. that usually gets the air out.
If not you have to use a vacuum pump attachment at the pump resevoir (where the PS cap would go) and pull full vacuum while turning the wheels lock to lock for a few minutes.
I've gotten to the point on these that I pop the outer tie rods loose from the wheel knuckly anytime I do anything that requires turning the wheels with the engine off (such as brake jobs, ball joints, etc) just to keep this from happening.
Good luck!
If not you have to use a vacuum pump attachment at the pump resevoir (where the PS cap would go) and pull full vacuum while turning the wheels lock to lock for a few minutes.
I've gotten to the point on these that I pop the outer tie rods loose from the wheel knuckly anytime I do anything that requires turning the wheels with the engine off (such as brake jobs, ball joints, etc) just to keep this from happening.
Good luck!
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Originally Posted by MazdaRangerGuyInSTL
Usually I do this... put in park.. hold at about 2500 rpm and turn the wheels from lock to lock about 5 times.. that usually gets the air out.
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Yeah it's a pretty nasty vibration.. first time I felt it I swore I left some lug nuts loose!
Actually the whole problem is the P/S resevoir is too small. When you turn the wheels with the engine off, the fluid level pushes up and when it sucks back down it pulls air into the system with it. It can make a big mess too, pushing fluid up and around the cap all over the place.
This only seems to happen on Gen. 2 Explorers and Rangers (95-2001?)
Actually the whole problem is the P/S resevoir is too small. When you turn the wheels with the engine off, the fluid level pushes up and when it sucks back down it pulls air into the system with it. It can make a big mess too, pushing fluid up and around the cap all over the place.
This only seems to happen on Gen. 2 Explorers and Rangers (95-2001?)