I just replaced my steering gearbox and my power steering pump on my 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 SS/T RWD
Once i had everything installed, and checked the fluid lines to be tight, I jacked up the front of the truck, put o'reilly power steering fluid in it (a honey coloerd fluid), and turned the wheel stop to stop with the engine off until i heard no bubbles in the resevoir. i checked the fluid level and added some more and turned the wheel again stop to stop until i heard no more bubbles. then set it back down on its tires, and checked the fluid level making sure it was at the right level for cold. i started the engine, and turned stop to stop hearing a little bit of whining, but no resistance. Stopped, checked the level, added a bit as needed to the cold level, turned again stop to stop, no resistance, no whining took it out for a test drive, and was fine until i went to turn around and got a LOT of resistance. brought it back, saw a LOT of bubbles, jacked it back up, let it sit for about 30 minutes. Came back out and turned steering wheel stop to stop, now every time i turn to the right i get a bubbling sound and have been doing this for quite some time. have added a total of about 2 quarts of fluid to the system total, and still hearing bubbles when i turn right. has anyone had issues similar to this before? did i possibly use the wrong type of fluid? thanks in advance for yoru assistance!

 

I usually run it up on jackstands a bit, to try and bleed some more engine running...

That said, part quality just ain't what it used to be.... I went thru FOUR "new" pumps before I finally get one that actually worked right, even though it was kinda loud...... I just got tired of changing them..... Two of 'em wouldn't build any pressure at all.....

 

ok today i went and checked and found no o rings on the pressure and return lines,and i only received one in the kit with the gearbox and pump. I made sure i had o rings on all lines, and put fluid in. with the front end up and engine off, it keeps getting bubbles when i turn the wheel to the right. Even though i knew better, i set it down and started the engine tryign to cycle it, and it lurched when the engine started but stopped instantly and the wheel won't trun and of course i can hear air in the system as it is whining. i think just putting an o ring on it that fits obviously is not sufficient enogh, so i am going to go get the powersteering system o rings from oreillys and try again tomorrow. (perhaps the rings i have are the right size to fit the end of the hose , but not the right diameter to seal it up??) if that doesn't work i am going to try changing to ATF4 transmission fluid, but i don't see why what i have wouldn't work.

 

Atf is not power steering fluid, And if you look in the owners manual it says not to use atf.

 

We've had heated debates about this but I see no reason to try to bleed at all with the engine not running. That said, upon initial fill it may at first suck the reservoir so low as to make the pump run dry, so either be READY to add or just start for ~3 seconds, shut off and then top off, then restart.

With the front unweighted just slowly work the wheel back and forth, trying to stay off the stops, or just gently and briefly bumping the stops.

I've done this on numerous 2nd Gens and never a problem. I just use Dex/Merc but p/s fluid should be absolutely fine.

It does seem the FSM says to bleed with vehicle not running. I'm (not) sorry, but I disagree with the FSM here. Real-world experience for me trumps printed material. YMMV

 

OK... last night i went ahead and replaced the o rings with the proper diameter and thickness o rings and was able to get a proper seal on the power steering hoses. i then raised the front end, and used my mghtyvac to put 20-25 inches of vacuum on the reservoir, and turned the wheel, watching as the bubbles came flowing out like crazy. once the flow subsided, i checked the vacuum level and it showed 20 inches, so i let it sit for about 5 minutes, and came back. No fluid was visible in the vacuum line, and it was still showing 20 inches on the gauge. i then checked the level of fluid and added some in case there was more air in the system, re installed the mightyvac, put 20 inches of vacuum on it, started it up, and watched as even more air came up in the vacuum line. as it was running i turned the wheel right and left just touching the stops a bit and watching the air come up and the growling noise died quickly. i let it sit running for a bit and turned the wheel about 10 times in each direction. then i shut it off, and set it on its tires. I started it up, and the steering was like butter. took it for a drive, and not a problem at all. so i would say my problem is fixed. Thanks for the great advice! hopefully this post will help someone else later on in the same situation!

 

thanks for making sure i didn't make a big mistake and put the wrong stuff fin

 

Curious how you're sealing a Mityvac to a Sag reservoir?
edit: I guess you're using the MVA660?

 

sorry it took me so long to respond. i used a universal adapter, which is a soft rubber cone shaped plug and you push it down until it seals the notches too