Power steering problem on my "NEW" 345

JBK · 10-20-2006, 12:11 PM

Yesterday I replaced the power steering line that sprung a pinhole leak on my trip bringing her home last weekend. All went o-k, except it still squeals. I drove it about 5 miles after it blew, but only after filling the reservoir in the front access panel in front of the radiator and stopping three times to refill it.
Is there another reservoir or a way to purge the line?

Thanks in advance.

JB

LI Pets · 10-20-2006, 12:20 PM

Most times when a line is opened it takes time to purge the air out.

I had one that took over an hour at hwy speed.

JBK · 10-20-2006, 12:24 PM

Thanks, Bob.
Do you think I should just let it run at idle or drive it. I really don't like the sound of the pump squealing like that. I did jack up the front and take the weight off the steering and turn the wheel and it helped, but still is pretty squeeky.

JB

gunner · 10-20-2006, 12:28 PM

Normally you are supposed to turn the steering wheel back and forth to get the air out. You need to do this several times from maximum left to maximum right turn.

LI Pets · 10-20-2006, 01:03 PM

What kind of engine is in this?

I drove mine quite, not to get it quite, because I had to get someplace.
I don't believe letting it idle will do much.

But if you jacked it up and go lock to lock it should have helped?

JBK · 10-20-2006, 01:24 PM

Bob and Gunter:
Thanks.
It's a 454. I think I will jack it up again and just keep turning the wheel full to full.
I will repeat one question and that is; Is there is another reservoir other than the small one (about a pint) in the front of the radiator? If so, I will have to fill that also, but I need to know where it is. I did top off the master cylinder since the loss of juice in the booster also affected the brakes, but it was nearly full.
I just don't want to ruin the pump by missing a part of the procedure such as purging the line.
Another question; My seft front leverer doesn't want to retract all the way. It will come up off the ground and start to go up toward the rear but stops after going just a dew degrees. I have to push it back up myself. Any suggestions for that?

JB

LI Pets · 10-20-2006, 02:21 PM

I'm not familar with your rig, but I've never heard of multiple reservoirs.

The pump just recirulates a small amount of fluid.

Did you put in the correct type of fluid?

bobchevy89 · 10-20-2006, 02:48 PM

hello JBK, what year is your rig? mine is a 77 24 argosy, mine did what yours did and I drove 5 miles with no fluid ..Had to put in a new pump. mine also works the power brakes.. after putting in the new pump it only took about 15 hard turns left to right .but do it slowly if you do it fast you willfoam the fluid and will take longer..it is also nice to have some one turn for you so you can watch the fluid level.. do not over fill.
Bob

swebster · 10-20-2006, 03:49 PM

When I replaced the ps pump on mine it took a while to purge the lines. I did slow figure eights in the parking lot. The pump itself has a res which is tied into the remote res in the front of the coach. Don't forget that the high pressure fluid travels to the brake booster first then to the steering gear.

JBK · 10-20-2006, 04:16 PM

Steve:
So, do I have to get at the res. on the pump itself or just let it feed in it's own good time?

JB
Considering "Brutus" even though I have been reffering to it as a she...

GlenCoombe · 10-20-2006, 04:37 PM

O.K. the hydroboost system is a closed system with only the reservoir in front as your top of point. Jacking it up and turning it stop to stop without holding on either stop will help purge the air in the system.
You can accomplish the same and use the brakes in a parking lot doing figure eights or ... if it has snowed you could do donuts both ways

just watch out for the big concrete bases that hold the lights up in the parking lot.

JBK · 10-20-2006, 04:58 PM

Glen and all:
I thank you and Brutus thanks you.
Any thoughts on my lift jack not retracting fully?

JB

swebster · 10-20-2006, 06:41 PM

Glen is correct, the remote res is at the top of the system and is the fill point so things will gravity feed the pump "can". The hb pump itself is a res in that it has a "can" around the pump which holds fluid. On a "normal" ps pump this "can" is the res with the cap, etc. On our motorhomes it has a tube up to the remote res.

In any case, lock to lock and braking should purge the system. Obviously, keep checking the fluid levels.

I would like to come see the donuts.

On the Jack, have you tried greasing the pivot points and cleaning the return springs. Did you notice if the extender (the little ram on the jack) is out or in when this happens?

bobchevy89 · 10-20-2006, 08:25 PM

Hi KBK.have you tried to wash the jack with a hose? could be a small amount of dirt making it hang up.TRY SPARYING pb bLASTER ON THE MOVING PIVOT points..Hope you did not try to move the unit with the jacks down, they bend easy that way..Hope just luning will help.PB Blaster will get the rust and crud out and leave a good lube coating on it..
just my $.05 worth...

Bob