First of all sorry about the long post, but wanted to try to describe all symptoms best I could, so here goes;
I just restorected a '90 XR7 that had been sitting for 10 yrs or more. The power steering fluid was water contaminated. I flushed it several times, filled, let it run up to temp for a while, and flushed a couple more times, filled and added Lucas treatment (always had good luck with it in transmissions). I can not get the air to bleed out, every time I do the lock to lock thing it continues to blow bubbles out/push fluid out the filler neck, and the pump growls pretty loudly/worse AFTER. After driving a few miles without getting into steering lock it quiets down pretty good. There do not appear to be any other leaks in the system. When driving the firm ride light will flash 4 times every 30 seconds or so when in auto, but does not flash when switched to firm (I also notice no difference in ride stiffness regardless of switch position, not sure that is related, or just old/bad shocks). I know the ARC is tied to power steering system, but not sure how. The steering wheel will also "pulse", or twitch slightly (just enough to feel) at highway speeds. This is NOT a vibration, but an actual rotation of the wheel. I am thinking the twitchy wheel is from the power assist pressure fluctuating, possibly because of the air in the system. The level of assist is also not consistant, some time it acts like it has almost no power at all, and others it seems "over boosted" or extremely light, both when at low speeds (cornering from stop or 10-20 mph).
Anyone experience these symptoms before? Any ideas/suggestions for where to start? I have never had a car do this before and don't really want to just throwing parts (pump, rack, ect) at it, although I think I'll have to do a pump eventually I wanted to sort out anything/everything else first if possible.
Thanks 4 any suggestion/help
Adam
I just restorected a '90 XR7 that had been sitting for 10 yrs or more. The power steering fluid was water contaminated. I flushed it several times, filled, let it run up to temp for a while, and flushed a couple more times, filled and added Lucas treatment (always had good luck with it in transmissions). I can not get the air to bleed out, every time I do the lock to lock thing it continues to blow bubbles out/push fluid out the filler neck, and the pump growls pretty loudly/worse AFTER. After driving a few miles without getting into steering lock it quiets down pretty good. There do not appear to be any other leaks in the system. When driving the firm ride light will flash 4 times every 30 seconds or so when in auto, but does not flash when switched to firm (I also notice no difference in ride stiffness regardless of switch position, not sure that is related, or just old/bad shocks). I know the ARC is tied to power steering system, but not sure how. The steering wheel will also "pulse", or twitch slightly (just enough to feel) at highway speeds. This is NOT a vibration, but an actual rotation of the wheel. I am thinking the twitchy wheel is from the power assist pressure fluctuating, possibly because of the air in the system. The level of assist is also not consistant, some time it acts like it has almost no power at all, and others it seems "over boosted" or extremely light, both when at low speeds (cornering from stop or 10-20 mph).
Anyone experience these symptoms before? Any ideas/suggestions for where to start? I have never had a car do this before and don't really want to just throwing parts (pump, rack, ect) at it, although I think I'll have to do a pump eventually I wanted to sort out anything/everything else first if possible.
Thanks 4 any suggestion/help
Adam
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