ok I'm at the end of my wits. My problem began 6 months ago with a leaky seal in the steering box at the pitman arm. I replaced the seals and no more leak. unfortionately I did not catch it before the power steering fluid had almost all drained out. I developed hard steering, no power steering. I replaced the pump first then the belt. Tried purging the air out by repeatedly turning the wheels left and right about fifty times. It seemed to improve to the point where it would only be hard steering at a standstill. Making it difficult to park in spaces. A couple of days ago I changed the steering box and purged again. It still is difficult steering at a standstill although a little better. I'm hoping someone has had a simular problem and can give me an easy fix. And yes the tire pressures are fine. Thank you

 

Welcome to DF!

When you purged the system, did you have the engine running? Front end jacked up? (no point wearing flat spots on the tires. ) If not, try it again. Make sure fluid is full, turn lock to lock several times, and have a look at the fluid. If it is foamy, shut down the engine, and let the truck sit for a bit, so the air can come out of the fluid. Top off fluid, and try again. Keep doing that until you don't see ANY air in fluid. *Should* solve the issue.

 

ok thanks I'll try it again. I had the front end off the ground. I turned 20 times lock to lock with the key in and engine off then 20 times with car running. I noticed the foam at first then it looked better, but probably not good enough. I agree there has to still have air in there. so i'll do it again and again. It seems to get better each time I drive but is still a little hard at standstill. Thanks again I'll let you know when I'm finished

 

I have to give mine a little gas before the power steering gets easier.

 

The truck needs to be running when you are turning the steering wheel lock to lock. I had a similar issue when I installed my Borgeson steering box (plus new power steering hoses) and it took a lot to purge the air out of the system. I kept turning the wheels back and forth and also kept adding fluid. I also used the recommended steering fluid for my year truck, which I believe was power steering fluid.

 

Thanks ya all. That's a wrap. It just took a lot longer to purge the air out than I would have thought. I raised it and went lock to lock about 40 times again. Not noticeing any fluid loss, but topped it off with maybe a teaspoon of power steering fluid. It was much improved, but still a little hard. drove it a few days then did the same thing and finally all the air was out and I have great power steering. Thanks for the help. I love this forum out EDMO

 

Coolness. Sometimes, repairs are just an exercise in patients.