Hi all

Almost ready to fire up the 86 with new rack, pump and hoses. Need advice please... What is best practice to fill P/S pump resevoir and do initial start?

Is there any sort of "priming" of the pump I need to do? Fill to level...rack to rack..then top off. I assume initial fill will drop level fast as hoses and rack fill up?

Thanks for help. Randy

 

I fill the reservoir just to the bottom of the neck. Then start the engine and run for just a few seconds. The fluid level drops fast, as you mention. Top-off, then repeat once or twice. That should do it. Then purge air by slowing turning lock to lock a few times.

The important thing, as you're obviously aware, is to avoid letting the pump run dry while the engine is running.

Cheers
DD

 

Randy
You must lift the front of the car up so the wheels are off the ground, then top up the reservoir, then turn the steering wheel lock to lock about 20 times. Then follow Doug's prescription. This is the standard advice that comes with new racks over this side.

 

I wish I had know that when I fired mine first time after re-installing the front suspension.
I might not have had the Banshee screech from the pump that emptied itself into the empty rack in about 2.5 seconds.
(';')

 

yes the power steering system must be bled of air just like the Cooling system and the Brakes system and the A/C system.
Front wheels must be raised for bleeding. New or rebuilt Racks always come with replacement instructions which say this.

I also use Teflon ( Plumber's Tape) at each hose fitting to make them leak-free.

 

Thanks all for awesome tips! While I have everyone excited about this final step I was wondering about opinions on WHEN to attach hoses to pump and rack.

My thoughts right now are to attach to pump and then install pump...then install rack and finally attach to rack.

But maybe order and when is not as critical

Randy