No flow/pressure after rebuild- TRW pump

[joshski]

1967 Charger 318, my TRW (small) power steering pump was leaking so i decided to rebuild it last winter. Everything seemed to go smooth, but when i went to start up the car and test it out… no pressure, no flow even with the pressure hose disconnected. Trying to go lock-to-lock the reservoir overflows. I made sure not to adjust the pressure relief or flow control valves from their factory setting. I noticed that looking down the filler neck while running there are tiny bubbles coming from the front of the pump body. Anybody have experience rebuilding these and have any advice? Thanks for reading

 

[copper67sat]

Are you sure the slippers on the rotor are facing the right direction? You will not generate pressure if they are facing the wrong way. Service Manual shows the correct orientation. If you don't have one, you can download a pdf version from MyMopar.com

 

[69Bee]

Had the same problem many years ago, fluid churning and bubbling, but no power assist. Finally raised the front end to take the weight off of the front wheels and worked it back and forth until a geyser of fluid shot to the ceiling and everything started working. Just needed a huge burp to purge the air bubble I guess...

 

[threewood]

Had the same problem many years ago, fluid churning and bubbling, but no power assist. Finally raised the front end to take the weight off of the front wheels and worked it back and forth until a geyser of fluid shot to the ceiling and everything started working. Just needed a huge burp to purge the air bubble I guess...

Haha!! That makes quite the mental image...and I'm sure a big mess.

 

[69Bee]

Haha!! That makes quite the mental image...and I'm sure a big mess.

Yes it did, blue Smurf **** all over the place...

 

[Dave6T4]

I feel your pain! I am on my 4th or 5th pump now on my '64 Polara. I think I had a couple of them professionally rebuilt with the slippers in backwards. No or little pressure at idle, but O.K. on the road. I just put a used, swap meet find on now, and have my fingers crossed.

 

[joshski]

Had the same problem many years ago, fluid churning and bubbling, but no power assist. Finally raised the front end to take the weight off of the front wheels and worked it back and forth until a geyser of fluid shot to the ceiling and everything started working. Just needed a huge burp to purge the air bubble I guess...

Haha. Engine running right?

Are you sure the slippers on the rotor are facing the right direction? You will not generate pressure if they are facing the wrong way. Service Manual shows the correct orientation. If you don't have one, you can download a pdf version from MyMopar.com

I wasnt sure so i pulled the bearing insert but they all spilled out haha. Put them in the right way for sure this time

 

[joshski]

Had the same problem many years ago, fluid churning and bubbling, but no power assist. Finally raised the front end to take the weight off of the front wheels and worked it back and forth until a geyser of fluid shot to the ceiling and everything started working. Just needed a huge burp to purge the air bubble I guess...

How long did it take? Ive had it up in the air for a few days, a couple hours each day, and still getting some ping-pong ball sized bubbles cycling the steering

 

[69Bee]

IDK, maybe a total of 15-20 minutes...

 

[joshski]

IDK, maybe a total of 15-20 minutes...

Something is wrong then. After numerous attempts and endless bubbles, i pulled the return line off to flush it out into a bucket. With the line off, car on and turning the wheel barely any fluid came out of the steering gear. Pulling off the pressure line showed no flow/pressure coming from the pump. There was only a very very small amount of fluid in the line.

 

[1 Wild R/T]

Never had an issue with a TRW pump, but lots of issues with Ford pumps... Trapped air causing intermittent flow/pressure issues & constant whine from the pump...

Learned a procedure years ago to fill the pump, first top off the reservoir, don't start the engine, spin the engine with the starter for ten seconds, refill the reservoir, spin engine over without starting again for ten seconds.. Refill reservoir..... Third time the fluid level normally stabilizes...

Start the engine... Does the pump work?

If not try putting the system in a vacuum... The way I use to accomplish this was a modified cap for the pump... Drill out the vent hole to accept a short length of 3/16 steel brake line... Solder the brake line to the cap... Now connect a vacuum hose from the cap to a manifold vacuum port on the engine...

Start the engine & let it idle for 15-20 minutes... It should pull any trapped air out of the system....

If that doesn't work you have something other that trapped air causing your problem...