I recently rebuilt my power steering pump and at the same time i had drained all the fluid out of my steering box. The probably now I cant get the system to bleed out. I have tried the whole wheels in the air, turning lock to lock slowly, then firing it up, and rechecking the fluid, but after several tries it never uses any fluid, and after road testing, the system feels like a non power system. Would I have to bleed it any different since the gear box was drained, or did I just plainly do the moron thing of rebuilding my pump wrong?

If you still have air in the system, your power steering fluid should appear milky and the pump should be making more noise than usual when you steer.

Your description of lock to lock with the wheels off the ground should have gotten most of the air out. A short drive and sitting over night should allow the rest of the air to escape up through the reservoir.

If you still don't have any assist, it's time to look at the pump.

I recently installed a "new" AGR quick-ratio box in my Chevelle. I did the "wheels off the ground, engine off" thing (cycling about 40+ times to be sure), and it worked great, BUT the steering is much stiffer now (no more "one-finger" steering, especially when parking)...

I am using the old (but rebuild) 1966 pump setup (and plunger/orifice), as well as having a stiffer "T-bar"(?) on the new box...

So mine feels like most of the assist is gone, but the road-feel is great...


Did you exchange the pump or rebuild you old one? If exchanged, maybe the orice/plunger were different, not allowing the fluid pressure needed...

Although since Jim answered, I really don't know why I am writing... Any knowledge I have was gain from Jim and his papers...

70sixspeed didn't say that he replaced his gear. So if the air is out of his system and his pump is operating correctly, the steering should feel like it did previous to the pump repair.

I wonder if his steering has improved with time.

BTW, the on-center effort and feel is almost 100% caused by the valve and torsion bar in the gear. If the pump did not produce sufficient pressure, you would note that you lacked power assist when stopped and you turned the steering wheel near full lock. If the pump did not produce sufficient flow, you would first note a problem is you tried to rapidly rotate the steering wheel when making an evasive maneuver.

I rebuilt the pump myself which is probably the problem, as I have tried bleeding it several times, it never gets better, maybe this weekend i will tear the pump apart again and check everything out. Thanks for your guys help.

Hi 70,

I was thinking about rebuilding my 67 pump. Can you tell me how you get the resovoir off and besides the problem your having, was the rebuild an easy job to do? Thanks

Rebuilt pumps are fairly cheap, I wouldn't think it's worth the hassle rebuilding it myself. Check Auto Zone, Advance etc.