Power Assist Purge

[LEB Ben]

well i know you were asking about draining air, can you turn the wheels at all to the right?

Dammit Don you're gonna make me super punt you in the lady balls...cuz now you're just post padding. From post #4

Alright thanks fellas. After about 2 hours total on it last night I threw in the towel. The wheels still wanna go right when they're in the air. So no resistance on a right turn, and almost no resistance until I come back to middle. Then from middle to left lock, holy hell, she doesn't wanna go at all. I did try lowering the truck, and quit after I could smell the fluid burning.



Dennis, which particular fittings are you talking about? One down on the cylinder or one on the valve?


I know it has typically taken me an afternoon to get these things right, but I've never bled one of these systems...so didn't know if I missed a bleeder or if there were any tricks. Thanks again for the help guys.

 

[Truckin4life]

I had my directions backwards and was to lazy to go back and read....



So can you actually turn the wheels left?
Or do you turn the wheel and nothing happens?

 

[LEB Ben]

Yes...easily turns right, pretty easily back to straight, but from straight to left turn it's almost like manual steering.

 

[Truckin4life]

hmmmm..... so that would mean there is air in the pressure line?
Crack the fitting like vince said and see what you can get...

 

[LEB Ben]

Beyond looking in my manual, how do I know which one is the pressure line?

 

[Truckin4life]

the pressure lines usually have the scew in fitting, thicker hose, the return lines are under no pressure so they have the hose clamps and are the flimsyer hose.

atleast thats how it is on the one's i have seen, i have never see your style of set up so i cant say for sure.

 

[LEB Ben]

Yeah...not that easy here. Both lines from the pump are relatively the same diameter, and both screw into control valve block. But it's alright, I'll figure out which is which when I get home.

 

[Truckin4life]

but what about the cylinder?

 

[LEB Ben]

but what about the cylinder?

What about it? It's my understanding that the hoses from the valve to the cylinder control left and right turn...and isn't a HP or LP line.

 

[Truckin4life]

is there only one line to each cylinder?

 

[LEB Ben]

Only one cylinder with two hoses.

 

[Truckin4life]

so right turn is good. left turn is no bueno....
Crack both fittings and wait until you get solid oil from both, make sure you dont run out of oil...
See what happens,

 

[LEB Ben]

Planned on it hopalong...just gotta get home now.

 

[73F100Shortbed]

I knew it was a joke by putting them in the fluid, but ice in a bag could cool it down a bit if it was getting hot quickly.

 

[Truckin4life]

Dont turn the wheels just see what happens...

 

[LEB Ben]

Dont turn the wheels just see what happens...

I don't turn the wheels, but if I leave them straight they start drifting right on their own.

That said, spent another hour on it tonight...getting better (not getting anymore air), but the right hand drift is still there. So now, from straight and turn left, there's a flat spot that's hard to turn about half way, then it's easy again to lock. Then coming back to straight is easy. From straight to to right lock is easy. But from right lock back to straight there is some resistance. At all times, the wheels still want to drift left, just not as much.


Question, I thought my pump was potentially going out before the hose ordeal do to hard spots in the turning. Any chance a bad pump could contribute to some of my current symptoms?

 

[1985 Ford F-150]

It aint helpin matters. But from what your describin id look at a new control valve or maybe just tearin it apart and seein if its sticky.

 

[73F100Shortbed]

I would think the valve too. Is it possible you have a hose backwards? I know on some newer cars with rack and pinion you can put the hoses wrong since the fittings are the same.

 

[LEB Ben]

It aint helpin matters. But from what your describin id look at a new control valve or maybe just tearin it apart and seein if its sticky.

New valves are 250-300 plus a 150-200 core charge...but yes, a new one is definitely coming in the next month or so cuz it is still sorta leaking a few drops here and there.

I would think the valve too. Is it possible you have a hose backwards? I know on some newer cars with rack and pinion you can put the hoses wrong since the fittings are the same.

Naw fittings only go one place.


However, got to the bottom of it. I had the little sis helping me last night and on one of the fittings I cracked loose to purge the air (the main problem line), I left it cracked and she thought she was helping by turning the wheel when I went inside for some drinks. God knows how much extra air I have in that line now. So I'll go back over that tonight. I thought it was rather odd that it was getting better and then BAM, almost back to square one.

 

[Truckin4life]

Sticking valve is my next thought ben...
Maybe the hose you didn't replace has build up in it from over the years and doesn't let fluid move as easily through it?


Just thinkin out loud with that one though.