Power Steering System Purging

Special Tools






Material


CAUTION: If the air is not purged from the power steering system correctly, pump failure could result. This condition can occur on pre-delivery vehicles with evidence of aerated fluid or on vehicles that had steering component repairs.

1. NOTE: Fix power steering leaks before performing the power steering purge procedure. The power steering purge procedure must be carried out prior to any component repair for which power steering noise complaints are accompanied by evidence of aerated fluid and no fluid leaks are present.

Remove the fluid reservoir cap and check the fluid.

2. Tightly insert the stopper of the vacuum pump into the fluid reservoir.

3. Start the engine.

4. Apply maximum vacuum 68-85 kPa (20-25 in-Hg) for a minimum of three minutes at idle. Maintain maximum vacuum with the source.

5. Turn the engine off.

6. Release the vacuum and remove the vacuum source.

7. Add fluid to the appropriate level.

8. Reinstall the vacuum source.

9. Start the engine.

10. Apply maximum vacuum 68-85 kPa (20-25 in-Hg) for a minimum of three minutes at idle. Maintain maximum vacuum with the source.

11. CAUTION: Do not hold the steering wheel in the far left or right position or damage to the power steering can result.

Cycle the steering wheel from stop-to-stop every 30 seconds for approximately 5 minutes.

12. Slowly release the vacuum to 34 kPa (10 in-Hg) for CII pumps and 51 kPa (15 in-Hg) for CIII pumps.

NOTE: Pump noise will be greatly diminished at this time if purge is successful and there is no other cause of the noise.

13. Turn the engine off.

14. Remove the vacuum source from the fluid reservoir.

15. Check the fluid level and fill to the full warm level.

Install the fluid reservoir cap.