ps pump is foaming and hard to steer i jacked up the front end started the rig and turned the wheels to the stops keeping an eye on the fluid level. after about 10 or 12 times the fluid got foamy and the level raised so i quit. did i quit too early. or did i do it wrong. i really need this fixed. driving through the sage brush to feed my horses kinda sucks

 

Keep doing what you are doing only with the truck not running. It could take some time, be patient. Seems as if the pump just aerates the fluid when you have it running with no load.

 

Don't turn to full lock. If this problem just started, you have a leak somewhere on the suction side. It could be a line or a pump seal. What happens is that when the fluid is returning and flows over a small hole, it creates suction and pulls air in from the outside, making the foam. I have seen this happen where the hole is too small to leak fluid, but it still sucks air.

Have seen the same on brake systems at a bad flare connection.

 

I just bought the pickup. it had been run off the road and layed on its side. boogered up the door and the fender but other than that and the power steering all is ok. the previous owner said the ps pump worked just fine till the wreck. so im guessing thats when air got in the system.

 

Back anf forth it about 50 times with the engine off. Then start it and do it 20 or so more times. Remember NOT to go to full lock.

 

Sometimes you have to let it sit for several hours till the air bubbles dissipate out of the P/S fluid. If possible I`d let it sit overnight, disconnect the shutoff solenoid so the engine does`nt start, then crank the engine over while turning the wheel. You might have to repeat this process a couple of times (esp if the P/S fluid is old and grungy).

 

thanks guys. steering smooth again , it doesnt take three people to turn the wheel anymore. thanks again.

 

Please go into detail as to how you accomplished this.

Thanks.

 

1st I blocked up the front and turned the wheels to the stops with the truck off. But I didn't get very much air out so I let it rest awhile (and with the truck off again) turned the wheels--one turn to the left back to center one turn to the right--did this 50-60 times. Then let it rest. Started the motor and turned the wheels 20-30 times and let it rest some more with truck running. I never went clear to the stops the 2nd time I tried it and had better luck. Also I had someone in the pickup turning the wheel while I watched the fluid level and added fluid as needed. Once in awhile I would get a big blast of air out and the level would go way down and want to start pulsing until I put more fluid in.