So, I was "flushing" the fluid yesterday, and the pump got a bit too low on fluid. I topped it off, but it still seems a bit noisier than prior. Will the air purge itself out of the system on its own??
BTW, ATF is OK to use in this sytem?
Thanks.
ATF is the oil called for by Ford! The air in the system will eventually make its way out on its own. IT will take a while however, as the air can only escape as the small bubbles combine and rise to the surface of the res. ANd of course, the oil in the system, ie, lines, cooler and rack are trapped and will only come out when that oil is circulated with the deaerated oil from the res nd the mixed gets to sit for a whiler again.
PITA but not a show stopper.
MArtin
When I replaced my pump and rack I put together a vacuum assembly to pull the air out of the fluid. I used one of those little hand vacuum pumps from Harbor Freight that are advertised for one person brake bleeding. Then to the hardware store, Ace, for a rubber stopper that fit tightly into the filler of the pump and a piece of table lamplight fixture hollow threaded rod and barb adaptor. Drill an appropriate hole in the stopper, insert a short piece of the hollow threaded rod and put a washer and nut on each side and then screw on the barb adaptor. Hook the vacuum pump up to the barb with a piece of vacuum hose, plug the stopper in the filler neck. Start the engine and pump up (down??) some vacuum and start turning the steering wheel back and forth. That little hand pump held 24 inches Mercury and only required a extra stroke once in while (technical term). I could actually hear it becoming quiter.
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Robert, great idea. Can I "rent" your setup for purging my Power Steering system. It whines something fierce right now. I have replaced the rack and the pump, but it must still have air in it.