Flush/Bleed Power Steering System

[ticha_cali]

Hey everybody,

Recently, I had to change the power steering pump to my 2007 Pontiac G6 Convertible because it started leaking. Unfortunately, I only had access to replace it with a general Autozone remanufactured pump. As a result, right when I put it in and topped it up with fluid, it started making a whining sound without the wheel turning, and when I turned the car left and right, lock to lock, it started to have a really hard feel once I got closer to lock.

I was thinking I needed to bleed the system out of air, since I assume that when I disconnected the old pump, some air got into the system. What do you guys think? Also, do you know where the bleed valve is in these cars? I have the 3.9L V6 that came with the convertible.

Thanks!

[JJT*90]

Re: Flush/Bleed Power Steering System

For P/S you just have to keep turning it lock to lock and work the air bubbles out. Make sure you keep the tank full also.

[Neatong6er]

Re: Flush/Bleed Power Steering System

You're not supposed turn it all the way to the lock until youve worked the air put of the syst. That could cause the pump to go bad again.

[ticha_cali]

Re: Flush/Bleed Power Steering System

Well, from driving it so far, I know that there's air in the system still. The pump has a whining sound, so I have a feeling the air didn't work itself out of the system. Again, does anybody have a diagram of where I can bleed out the power steering system to get the air out?

[JJT*90]

Re: Flush/Bleed Power Steering System

Here it is.

Filling & Bleeding
Print
Remove the pump reservoir cap.
Fill the pump reservoir with fluid to the FULL COLD level.
Attach a vacuum pump and adapter to the pump reservoir filler neck.
Apply a vacuum of 20 in Hg (68 kPa) maximum.
Wait 5 minutes. Typical vacuum drop is 2-3 in Hg (7-10 kPa). If the vacuum does not remain steady, check the pump, lines and o-ring seals for leaks.
Remove the vacuum tools.
Reinstall the pump reservoir cap.
Start the engine. Allow the engine to idle.
Turn off the engine.
Verify the fluid level and fill as needed.
Start the engine. Allow the engine to idle.
Turn the steering wheel 180-360 degrees in both directions 5 times.
Switch the ignition off.

[ahuhn]

Re: Flush/Bleed Power Steering System

if youve driven it and its still wining i think you got a bad pump. i have NEVER had to put a vaccum pump on a popwer steering pump

[ticha_cali]

Re: Flush/Bleed Power Steering System

I'll try to do a bleed on it first. Thanks for the instructions.

As for it being the bad pump, the whining only happens now when it's almost at lock, and right when it stiffens up. In normal driving, it's completely smooth and whine free. So it's not a permanent whine. If it was a permanent whine, I think it would be a bad pump as well.

I'll keep you guys posted.

[ticha_cali]

Re: Flush/Bleed Power Steering System

Looks like the pump is defective. I'm probably going to take it out, take it back to Autozone and just replace it with a GM original pump. Is GMPD still the best place to get spare GM parts?