Air in the steering fluid

**Lokimer** · 03-22-2012, 01:50 AM

My indy mech, with just a cursory glance, says I need a new steering pump and reservoir. He quoted me 500 or so. It was brought up after I said something about the steering moaning when under pressure.

Couple questions about this as I have never dealt with steering stuffs. As anyone swapped out the pump and reservoir? If so is it a pain? And is there any chance it could be just a bad cap on the reservoir, allowing air to get in?

Thanks in advance boys and girls.

**Lokimer** · 03-22-2012, 03:46 PM

I realized that I didn't put model and mileage in here (Sorry JRL).

98 XC with about 192k on it.

**JRL** · 03-22-2012, 04:06 PM

Could be the pump
Could be the rack
Doubtful air just "got in" the system but it's easy enough to bleed out.
I assume you checked fluid?
you can also see the air in the system, take off the cap. while the front wheels are up in the air, have someone turn the wheel side to side, that usually get any air out of the system and whoever is under the hood can look for air bubbles inside the top of the resovoir

**Lokimer** · 03-23-2012, 12:23 AM

The fluid in the reservoir at rest is normal (possibly a little low) but foamy at the top after the wheel has been turned a couple times.

Would I bleed the system just like brake lines?

**JRL** · 03-23-2012, 04:40 AM

No, just turn the wheel back and forth 20-30 times until the foam and bubbles stop
Replace cap

**StoningtonXC70** · 03-23-2012, 04:43 AM

I went through a bout of this last winter with my power steering. Don't listen to your mechanic (at least just yet)...run it till it breaks..chances are it probably won't.

My system had a case of the moans caused by an apparent slow leak somewhere, fluid was apparently leaking out, and air was leaking in. eventually after a few top offs and a series of lock to lock cycles of the steering wheel with the pump fluid fill cap left open to allow the entrained air in the fluid to vent off, both the slow leak and the moaning went away and has stayed away.

**Lokimer** · 03-23-2012, 01:25 PM

Excellent, thank you gentleman. I will probably do this tonight/this weekend. I do truly appreciate it.

**8pack** · 03-23-2012, 02:02 PM

100% the return tube has fallen out. That is what is causing the foaming. Either replace the reservoir or use the cheap and simple fix below.

Just add some Lucas Oil Power steering stop leak. Take about 1/2 the fluid and add back the lucas oil to your reservoir. It is thick, will thicken up the fluid and eliminate the foaming. The trick is not to add too much as if it is too thick it won't get to the pump fast enough when cold. If it is still foaming and groaning add a little more.

I had the exact same problem. My indie recommended this fix and it has been flawless. Getting the right amount of the stop leak in is the key to success.

I guarantee that will solve the problem.