Hi all,

I need some help. A month ago I took my PS pump and box to a local shop (Benchworks steering in Scottsdale) that specializes in all aspects of underhood steering for a rebuild.

This past Sunday, I finally got everything back together. I filled the system with fluid and followed their recommendation for bleeding the system (fill, start engine, allow to idle for 15-20mins, check fluid, THEN start slowly turning the steering wheel, going further and further each time all on the ground). I had power assist for a while, then lost it. I couldn't get any assist unless I brought the RPMs to about 2-3000 or higher.

I called them Monday and they said that the pressure relief valve was stuck and told me how to free it.

I removed the pump Tuesday and (I think) freed the valve. I definitely moves back and forth. I called them again to make sure I had the bleeding process right.

I reinstalled the PS pump this morning and had the same result. I called them again and they are insistent that the pressure relief valve got hung up again and to try freeing it one more time before bringing it in. They told me "You can bring it in and we'll prove the pump is working like it did when we rebuilt it." I was not amused.

I've never had this much trouble with a new/rebuilt pump and I'm about ready to go to Autozone for a rebuilt pump.

Any thoughts? Am I doing something wrong? Should I just forget what they said and just bleed it per factory service manual? Could I have a bad rebuild and they are trying to blame me?

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

 

is there a plastic plug in the line maybe?

 

None that I could see. I'm wondering if something is plugged, though. I'm going to remove the pressure line and double check it.

 

i've always jacked up the front of the car, topped off the fluid, and turned the wheels slowly lock to lock about 20 times with the engine off... top off fluid and repeat until the fluid level doesn't go down.
never had air in the lines after doing this.

 

i agree 100%.

never heard of doing it like they told you.

 

Yeah, I've done it twice "their way". I'm going to check the valve to make sure it's free and do it the "old-fashioned" way and report back. Thanks!

 

I've always done mine the same way novaderrick posted, as well. Works every time.

Just don't crank it absolutely all the way lock-to-lock; only do it ¾ of the way or so. You don't want to pressurize the system any more than you have to (to keep from foaming up the fluid while there's still air in there), which of course is what happens when the steering hits the stops... the pressure goes from near zero to about 1400 psi.

 

I'm going to give it a shot tomorrow and I'll report back. Thanks for the insight!

 

you don't pressurize anything if the engine isn't running..

 

UPDATE:

I removed the high pressure line and checked to make sure the relief valve was working properly. I reconnected the line and filled it up with fluid.

I lifted the front of the car and worked the wheel back and forth at least 20 times.

I lowered the car to the ground, checked fluid and started her up to test.

I tried to turn the wheel I had assist for just a moment, then it went back to "manual" steering.

I can see fluid circulating through the pump, but I never saw the fluid "foam up"

I brought the RPMs up to 1500-2000 and am getting some assist, but not nearly enough to drive it. Giving it any throttle, I can hear a moaning/whining noise coming from the pump.

I'm frustrated to say the least. I'm tempted to just buy a rebuilt pump and see if that solves my problem. I was thinking of removing the fitting for the pressure line and checking the valve to see if there isn't something causing it to hang up (burr, debris, etc)

Before I potentially throw good money after bad, is there anything else I can try?

 

UPDATE: I removed the fitting and pressure valve. It looked ok to me. The only thing I saw that could be unusual is the nut with the screen at the end was bowed in, I doubt that's an issue.

I put everything back together yet again and bled it yet again. No dice. I'm overheated and I'm giving up for now.

The rebuilder isn't open until Monday. I'm seriously thinking about buying an Autozone pump and tossing their rebuild through their window. LOL

In the meantime, I'm open to suggestion. Thanks!

 

have you tried starting the car while its jacked up and turn the wheel slowly back and forth all the way a few times?

a known good pump sure would answer some questions.

 

Yes, I tried it that way, too. No such luck.

This is why spending $60 for god-knows-who-rebuilt parts store pump is starting to sound like a good idea. LOL

 

Its just a simple vain pump. nothing to them. For it not to work at all, would mean the pulley is not spinning.. I have seen them so far warn out, with the veins thin as paper and it still pumped. Those are indestructible. Either they jammed the veins in to the rotor, so they arnt kicking out or you have another problem. Unhook both lines from the stearing gear, shove on into a jug of power stearing fluid, and the other in a empty jug. have someone start car and see if it pumps the fluid. I cant remember but I think its around 7-10 gpm @1200 psi. People use power steering pumps to run all kinds of hydraulic equipment.

http://www.mytractorforum.com/119-ho...ydraulics.html

Usually when a pump whines like that it means its low on oil.

Please post problem when you find it.
Thanks, GL
-D

 

I agree. I don't see why the pump it wouldn't work. I can definitely test how much fluid it puts out and I know the pulley is spinning. I also had the engine running with the cap off and I could see fluid circulating. If the pump is indeed ok could there be something wrong with the gearbox? I disconnected both lines at the gearbox and turned it back and forth. The return line was indeed pumping fluid out. The pressure side did not have any fluid going in or out. That makes sense to me as that is an inlet with what appears to be a check valve where the pressure hose threads in. I currently have the pump off as I want to take it back to the rebuilder and have them take a look at it. They should stand behind their work. I will definitely keep everyone posted. Thank you for all the comments and suggestions.

 

UPDATE: I spoke to the shop owner and he wants to look at the pump. I brought it back and they are going to look at it. I'll post back with updates.

 

UPDATE:

I got a call this morning that the box was done. They said the shaft was "cocked" damaging a pressure plate. They are claiming all is well and it's producing 1300 PSI.

I will be picking it up tomorrow, but not sure when I'm putting it back on. I don't even know if anyone is reading this anymore, but I'll keep updating.

 

Sounds like a huge PITA.......

at least you have someone local that is willing to work on the pump!

 

[quote[They said the shaft was "cocked" damaging a pressure plate.[/quote]

Sounds like raw unadulterated unvarnished bull droppings to me. Especially, given that there's no "shaft" that can "****", and no "pressure plate" anywhere in the pump.

Regardless, if they un-effed-up whatever they had effed up in the first place, without charging YOU, then that's about all they could do to set it straight; even if they're pitiful at making up a believable lie. They shoulda just manned up and blamed it on alien abduction or an Elvis sighting.

 

Actually Sofa, there is a pressure plate, and a shaft. I dont know how the shaft could be "cocked" unless something is out of spec, which if it was rebuilt does not make sense. Maybe when they rebuilt it, something wasnt fully seated causing it to be cocked. Who knows. I bet it works now tho!!

Keep us posted!
-D

 

I picked up the pump. I won't be able to install it until sometime next week. I will certainly keep everyone posted. Hopefully they straightened it out and all is well.

Thanks for all the replies. I appreciate it!

 

What a racket? Post an update, you got me all hooked on the drama. Hope things work out for you

 

Thanks for the belly laugh. I needed that. I will definitely post updates as soon as I am well enough to work on the car. I have a procedure tomorrow and have to rest for the weekend and need to take it easy for a week. Hopefully, when the wife isn't looking, I'll sneak off to the garage and button her up.

 

really hope it works this time for ya. best of luck with the procedure. get well & shred some rubber!

 

Thanks Joe!

Procedure went well. So far so good healing up. I go to the follow-up Monday.

I REALLY want this thing on the road.

 

LIB...

Of all the names I would have thought that part had been given, THAT is not among them. Guess I need to quit being logical and sensible and other harmful things like that, and look at the pictures instead.

And yes, I know "there's a shaft"; just, not one that can "****". That whole line of drivel still sounds like ... drivel and monkey-spank to me.

 

That actually isnt the correct name neither. It should be called a wear plate. But you dont want anything in the pump to wear.... What the "plate" does is even/balance the pressure out from the front of the pump to the back so it doesn't wear in the front/rear. It has a machined grove on the back with a o-ring and when the pressure builds, oil gets behind that special o-ring, pushing it out to improve sealing.

I agree, Something is fishy about the response.. "Drivel and monkey-spank" will suffice as well!! lol Too funny.

 

Hope your procedure went well! Get well soon.

-D

 

Thanks! I had some bad varicose veins removed from my left leg, so I'm taking it easy this week, keeping the leg propped up. I'm probably going to attempt to install the pump Thursday morning. I'll keep everyone posted.

 

The saga continues.

Installed the re-rebuilt pump today, bled the system and everything seemed ok. Went out for a drive and went through a drive-through car wash. Suddenly had no power assist. Drove it a bit more and the assist seemed to come and go. Thinking I still had air in the system, I drove it a little more and it seemed to be ok (Other than hitting 240 in traffic). Went on the highway for a few miles, then got off. Completely lost power steering with an epic cloud of blue smoke. I was about 5 miles from home and drove slowly. I popped the hood to discover the return line had come off, most likely my mistake.

Let the car cool off and reattached the hose. I filled the system and it seemed to be providing some assist, but the pump is making lots of noise. It's leaking, too. I filled the system and went around the block (1/2 mi or less) and came back to a nearly empty pump and a nice fluid trail under the car. Maybe a seal failed, too?

I can't blame the rebuilder for my own error, it's not in my nature.

Before I took the pump back to the rebuilder on the 20th, I bought a rebuilt unit from O'Rielly (in frustration)

At this point, I'm not sure if I should try to refill/bleed the pump that's on the car or just install the O'Rielly rebuild, hope it's good, and forget about the time and money I wasted.

I'll keep everyone posted, but still open to suggestion. Thanks!

 

I hate just throwing money away like that, but at some point you need to cut your losses and walk away.....

but

is there a chance that the steering box is just too tight? I have accidently overtightened the worm gear adjustment and the power steering pump was not happy about it.....

just a thought.

 

Yeah. So do I. I've probably gone through 2 gallons of PS fluid by now.

Are you referring to the bolt/nut on the aluminum cover on top? That did cross my mind. I installed the O'Rielly pump today, but didn't bleed the system yet. I hope to tomorrow. If it's still too tight, I'll check the adjustment.

Thanks.

 

yeah, thats the adjustment I am refering to....

its just a random thought, nothing more

 

Thanks. I installed the O'Rielly's pump and bled the system. Just got back from a drive. Seems to be ok. Did a lot of turns back and forth in an empty parking lot. There is a little noise turning right, otherwise seems ok. Will recheck fluid and drive some more.

I will also have to talk to the owner of Benchworks and tell them what happened. Even if they don't do anything about it, they need to know how much their "rebuild" inconvenienced me. They've lost a customer for sure.

I will update after I drive it a few more times. Thanks for all your help, guys!