Having heard horror stories about Cardone rebuilt parts, I've finally found and purchased a PS pump rebuilt by AC-Delco. Once I get the new PS pump installed, how do I completely flush the old PS fluid out of the system (including the steering box)?

Is there a recommended brand (and source) of synthetic PS fluid?

TIA.

 

drain fluid, fill it, run it and repeat 2 or 3 times. jack the front of the truck up and rotate the wheel full left and full right. it will get all of the air out of the system, without putting a ton of strain on the pump from the get go.

Lubegard from napa is supposidly good stuff and they do make filters for ps fluid as well. so try that

 

It is strongly recommended to replace both hydraulic hoses with the pump.

 

Thanks. I've already sourced two new PS hoses, also by AC-Delco. And I've purchased Peter Gould's kit (www.fixinrams.com) to replace all the rubber parts in the vacuum pump while I'm in there.

 

You need to install a power steering filter in the return line. It is almost impossible to flush out the almost microscopic magnetic particles in the steering box. It won't matter if you have a Delco or Cardone pump as these filings do not discriminate between the pump brands. Use the one described in previously posted threads on here. I'm not sure if it ever made the sticky thread. I flushed my system and then went on and destroyed a perfect $100 pump by not installing a $12 filter. It's your choice.

 

Does anyone know where can I order this filter? I could use many others but if this filter works well with the flow hot/cold I'd like to know.

Thank You.

 

What you want is an inline magnetic filter.


I have seen them on E-Bay, Amazon, etc.

Google magnetic filter and they will be about first in line.



Many times, what gives XXX-brand of pump a bad name is someone has a pump go bad; what do they do ???; they take off the bad pump and screw in the new.

Do they flush the system ???

Of course not.


Then, two weeks later, after the new pump has digested all of the shrapnel from the old pump, the new one fails, and they go straight to the forums and flame whoever put their name on the box; anyone that reads their "experience" with brand-XXX products will forever avoid them.

 

Like this one?

 

This one works for me: https://www.rockauto.com/dbphp/prt,1,20FLT2

 

Nice, Thank You.

 

As BK says, it's usually the new pump chewing on the remains of the old pump.

Here's how I've always done it:

- Have several quarts (4-5 should work) of your preferred fluid *AND* a helper on hand!
- Drop the return line from the steering box into a LARGE container... ziptie it inside the container or weight down the end (should be obvious why... if not, you should try without just once )
- Add a short hose to the return fitting on the pump (keeps the pump from draining the fluid out) and ziptie it higher than the filler opening
- Fill the new pump/reservoir full
- Fire up vehicle and immediately begin pouring new fluid into the pump/reservoir, while having the helper SLOWLY turn the steering wheel lock to lock.
This will evacuate the junk in the lines & steering box into the container and NOT back into the reservoir to be ground up in the pump again!
- Watching the discharge from the return line will tell you when it's finished (crude/discoloration = needs more flushing), but be careful that you have enough fluid left to top it back off once you've reattached the return line.

This method works for automatic trannies also... though not very cheap for ours if you use ATF+4.

Sometimes, you can find inline hydraulic filters cheaper than "power steering filters"...

 

If I open the cap on the reservoir while the truck is idling, will the pump not puke the P/S fluid out through the filler neck?

BTW, that is a great idea to tie a hose to the reservoir return pipe that is higher than the reservoir filler neck.

I have found some German-made P/S fluid at NAPA that is green in color. Using that in the brand new P/S pump reservoir should enable me to tell when the old fluid has been completely flushed from the steering box.

Thanks to everyone.

 

It shouldnt puke the fluid out just start your truck and let it idle and take the cap off slow if fluid comes out put it back on