Bleed Power Steering ?? 01 Ram 3500

[Z06Frank]

Hi, I was wondering whats the best way to bleed the power steering system I had to drain it after removing the pump to fix a leaky vacuum pump. I got the truck steering after reving the engine to about 1500 rpm's but the brake are very very soft and the abs and parking lights also came on during the process...

Thanks

[TFaoro]

Lift the front end and turn lock to lock repeatedly. That should push all of the air out of the lines.

[Mopar1973Man]

When going lock to lock do it slowly. This allows the gear box to pull the flow through the system and purge the air out in the pump.

[Z06Frank]

Thanks, what about the brakes ? I read elsewhere on the net that because my (abs and parking brake lights) are on in the dash that I could of damaged my master cylinder since the brake pedal was going down to the floor and it would of pushed parts in the master cylinder further then they would normally go... is that true ?

[Mopar1973Man]

That's a hydraulic failure if the pedal is travelling down farther than typical. Personally when I do a brake fluid flush at 30-50k miles I make sure to push it the full stroke. I want all the parts to get used. I don't want any surprises when the surprise happen on the highway. I want to stay in control.

[Z06Frank]

What puzzles me is that my brakes did not feel soft and worked well before I changed the power steering pump. Could air in the power steering cause this ?

[TFaoro]

Yes it can. Mine did it until I got the air out of the system. Have they stiffened up at all after cycling the steering?

[Z06Frank]

Well when I first started the truck I could not move the steering at all and I had not brakes at all the brake pedal could not be pushed in. Then I lifted up front up revved the motor a bit and stuff started moving. Now I have steering and brakes... but not allot of brakes it not really safe. But I will work on it tonight I did not spend allot of time on it yesterday.

Edited October 27, 2015 by Z06Frank

[Z06Frank]

Well i found my problem one of the rear brake lines next to the gas tank is ruptured and leaks....could I have caused this during the bleeding process of my PS pump with the hydroboost system and all ?

[TFaoro]

Nope. Good thing it happened there and not on the road!