Not sure if this is a dumb question, but I will be swapping my leaking steering gearbox for a used (hopefully not leaking) steering gearbox in a couple of weeks. It seems pretty self-explanatory, especially since I'm replacing the tie rods, center link, idler arm, control arms, and end-links at the same time... AND installing coilovers. (It's going to be a long weekend.)
My only question is: Is there anything special I need to know about bleeding the new gearbox? Or will it essentially do it on its own as I reinstall the lines and refill the fluid?
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Bleeding steering gearbox... ?
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- Posts: 157
- Joined: May 11, 2023 11:35 PM
- Location: Chicago
Re: Bleeding steering gearbox... ?
I'd at the least turn the pulley to prime the pump after getting fluid in it, before starting the car.
Re: Bleeding steering gearbox... ?
I think there's language in the manuals about turning lock to lock a few times. I'd do it at least a couple of times. But I've replaced a couple of steering boxes and don't recall any issues.
Re: Bleeding steering gearbox... ?
I usually spin the pump by hand and keep adding fluid until it stops sucking it down, then start the engine. Run it lock to lock a few times, top up as needed.
You can just start the engine but usually the reservoir level drops significantly and it might suck enough air to turn the fluid into a foamy mess. Takes a while for all that to fizz out.
any time I have a PS system open I use it as an excuse to drain as much fluid out as I can so it ends up all nice and clean. Takes a bit of pump turning to burp all that air out.
You can just start the engine but usually the reservoir level drops significantly and it might suck enough air to turn the fluid into a foamy mess. Takes a while for all that to fizz out.
any time I have a PS system open I use it as an excuse to drain as much fluid out as I can so it ends up all nice and clean. Takes a bit of pump turning to burp all that air out.