ugh power steering...how much damage did I do?

[mjtjnj]

Couple of months back I replaced the steering box with one from a ZJ. Cleaned everything out, bled it right before starting, no problems, worked great.

 

Well, I'm out of town for work, no tools, no space. Suddenly today, I'm 2 blocks from home and I start getting whine from the PS system. I get the two blocks home, now it's loud. Turn if off and realize I've leaked most of my fluid out, the high pressure line fitting to the pump loosened up. Well, I tightened it up again, filled it with fluid, tried to turn the wheels best I could with them on the ground and the engine not running. Seemed ok, but I'm hearing a little noise, and the fluid is milky. Steers smooth on the road, but maneuvering into and out of the parking spot it's a little louder than I remember it being. Should I get my hands on a bottle jack and get the front end up and really go through the air bleeding process again?

 

Once I got it driving again, I did do some lock to lock turns with the engine running and the cap off, while I topped it off. Not sure that suffices for adequate bleeding. Could I have done some real damage to the box in such a short period of time??

 

Dammit.

 

:wall:

Thanks--

Tom

[Glenn Moyer]

You should be OK. The milky condition usually occurs from all the tiny air bubbles. let it sit a while and check the fluid level again. I've had customers grive miles with hoses blown and not done any damage.

Glenn

[mjtjnj]

Thanks for the reassurance, Glenn. It always sounds louder when you're afraid you grenaded something! I'll sleep on it.

[cruiser54]

Probably good to go. Let it set for a while and the air bubbles should go away.

[HOrnbrod]

Couple of months back I replaced the steering box with one from a ZJ. Cleaned everything out, bled it right before starting, no problems, worked great.

 

Well, I'm out of town for work, no tools, no space. Suddenly today, I'm 2 blocks from home and I start getting whine from the PS system. I get the two blocks home, now it's loud. Turn if off and realize I've leaked most of my fluid out, the high pressure line fitting to the pump loosened up. Well, I tightened it up again, filled it with fluid, tried to turn the wheels best I could with them on the ground and the engine not running. Seemed ok, but I'm hearing a little noise, and the fluid is milky. Steers smooth on the road, but maneuvering into and out of the parking spot it's a little louder than I remember it being. Should I get my hands on a bottle jack and get the front end up and really go through the air bleeding process again?

 

Once I got it driving again, I did do some lock to lock turns with the engine running and the cap off, while I topped it off. Not sure that suffices for adequate bleeding. Could I have done some real damage to the box in such a short period of time??

 

Dammit. :wall: Thanks-- Tom

 

What year ZJ steering gear box did you use Tom?

[mjtjnj]

Hey Don, 96 I believe. Thanks for the suggestion, I took your advice. Better responsiveness and much tighter than my old 200K mile box was.

[HOrnbrod]

Same year I used. :cheers: I had a little milkiness at first but it all went away after a couple of days' driving. The pressure hose to the box nut is tough to tighten well. I have a set of 3/8" crowfoot wrenches that work well to tighten it using a long 3/8" extension.