I have a bit of a leak in my steering box, and have long ignored it and just kept it topped off. Recently, due to my stupidity, I ran it almost completely dry and the steering was extremely difficult. Once I got fluid back in it, it brakes and steers better, although it's still a HUGE chore to steer if the truck is not moving. I'm guessing that there's air in the lines or something... anybody have any recommendations on a process to bleed it?

 

Turning the wheels left to right with the engine running will bleed the system. You might consider reducing pedal pressure when you make a turn standing still.

I think the tires must roll a small distance to complete a turn while standing still. With the brakes firmly applied, you are kinda "dragging" the tire forwards or backwards depending on which side of the truck the wheel is.

Let us know,

Ronnie

 

not quite sure but on mine the brakes and steering both share the hydroboost system might get you going in the right direction hope it helps

 

Bleeding is best done with the front tires off the ground as there is less stress on the system as you will do this several times. Start the truck and turn the steering wheel from stop to stop 5 complete times. Turn off the truck and check the power steering pump resevoir. If you have air in your system it will be full of tiny bubbles. If it is go inside and relax for about 15 minutes or so to give the bubbles time to rise to the top and escape. Check the level. Service if low. Repeat this until your resevoir has no more bubbles and then top off if low. You should not experience hard steering while braking either while moving slowly or stopped. I had that problem with the system when the truck was a year or so old. I bought the special tools to hook up to the system and check pressure under load. By the time the tools came in the problem went away and has not returned. This had been going on for a couple of years before I had decided to figure out what the problem was. It decided to fix itself. Problem has not returned in all these years. I have heard and read complaints but my truck does not give me hard steering and/or loss of braking while operating both at the same time going very slowly or stopped. I know the system can handle it I just think that there may have been some manufacturing debris in the system or a string of poorly manufacuted part/parts.

 

Well, I bled the system as described above. It took care of the problem. Thanks all!!!