Is Vacuum Necessary when bleeding Power Steering?
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Instructor
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: New Braunfels TX
Is Vacuum Necessary when bleeding Power Steering?
I'm about to install a Power Steering cooler in my C5 and was reviewing the Tech manual and one step of the bleeding process is to hook up a vacuum pump and put a vacuum on the system for a specified time.
My question is: Is this necessary, or is it just to verify that the system doesn't leak?
I'm not having any luck figuring out a way to put a vacuum on the system. I have the vacuum pump, but have yet to figure out a way to get a tube in there and seal the opening to the fluid resevoir.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Karl
My question is: Is this necessary, or is it just to verify that the system doesn't leak?
I'm not having any luck figuring out a way to put a vacuum on the system. I have the vacuum pump, but have yet to figure out a way to get a tube in there and seal the opening to the fluid resevoir.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Karl
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: SoCal
Re: Is Vacuum Necessary when bleeding Power Steering? (corvette_karl)
I've had all those lines out a few times now and I've never had a vacuum pulled on the system. Just do the normal bleeding procedure and any air will work itself out just fine.
Melting Slicks
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From: Milwaukee WI
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Re: Is Vacuum Necessary when bleeding Power Steering? (corvette_karl)
The air will work itself out eventually.. However, if you run the system with alot of air in it, you can damage the pump..
The GM part, which they make a big deal of, is nothing but a rubber cork with a hole in the middle and a hose inserted into the hole..
Just fill the system, and work the wheel from lock to lock without the motor running.. then check the level. Then start the motor, work the wheel back and forth two or three times, and stop the motor.. wait for the bubbles (if any) to settle down and check the level.. If okay, you should be fine.. But if the pump is noisy, do NOT run it that way for long..
The GM part, which they make a big deal of, is nothing but a rubber cork with a hole in the middle and a hose inserted into the hole..
Just fill the system, and work the wheel from lock to lock without the motor running.. then check the level. Then start the motor, work the wheel back and forth two or three times, and stop the motor.. wait for the bubbles (if any) to settle down and check the level.. If okay, you should be fine.. But if the pump is noisy, do NOT run it that way for long..
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Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Re: Is Vacuum Necessary when bleeding Power Steering? (nevrenuf)
I just pulled the pipe cooler off and put the finned cooler on then topped off the reservoir with PS fluid and took the car for a drive. You actually do not lose much fluid when making the change.
Bill
Bill
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From: Foresthill CA
Re: Is Vacuum Necessary when bleeding Power Steering? (corvette_karl)
I had my system open and followed the shop manual procedure for bleeding. Lots more than three times though lock to lock, something like 20 times lock to lock with engine off and wheels in air. I did see bubbles working their way up to reservoir. Works fine after and no noise.
