Do I have this right?

Jack front wheels off the ground
Start car
Turn steering wheel back and forth a few times
Check fliud level


I did that with the car not running and didnt do anything
I guess it need to be running for the air to clear the lines?
Heres a few pics I took today

[IMG]local://upfiles/53457/AFDBAB75C3A74B0BBA47E5838583AE2F.jpg[/IMG]

 

im pretty sure the car has to be running.

 

Yes the car must be running otherwise there is no flow through the system
Jeff

 

nice air cleaner

 

Look it up in the manual or I'll do it when I get home. I can tell you that on my Jeep, which has a remote reservoir, custom cooler, hydroboost brake conversion, large 808 steering box and soon to be steering ram, you do not bleed the steering with the engine on!!! Doing so will aerate the system and make it impossible to bleed. You bleed it as you stated, put the front off the ground so it is easier to steer and turn the wheel from lock to lock several times until there are no more air bubbles showing up in the reservoir. Do 10 turns lock to lock and check the system. To get out stubborn bubbles that remain, remove the coil wire and turn the engine over for three or four seconds then repeat the wheel turning.

When you think it is done, fire it up and turn it lock to lock. If it is still making a lot of noise, turn it off and repeat the bleeding procedure.

Again, this is the procedure for my Jeep, but I'd imagine it is similar for the Mustang. If nobody else confirms, I'll look up the official procedure in the factory service manual tonight.

 

The 66 Ford Service Manual, Group 3 Page 38 Step 7. "Start the engine and turn the steering wheel to each end of its travel several times to cycle the system. Then, check for fluid leaks."
They cars is supposed to be on the ground during the above procedure, but I've done it with the front wheels off the ground about an inch.
Jim

 

Thanks for the clarification Jim. That is why I qualified my statement that the engine off procedure was for my Jeep and that he should find out for sure before starting. If aerated like it would be in the Jeep, he'd have to wait a long time before re-attempting to bleed.

I should keep my FSM here at 'work' for reference.

 

1. Raise and support the vehicle so the steering has no weight on it and the tires are off the ground.

2. Carefully fill the p/s reservoir filter with p/s fluid. Screw it onto the bottom of the reservoir hand tight.

3. Remove the reservoir cap. Do not replace the cap until the system has been completely bled.

4. Fill the reservoir with p/s fluid to the baffle.

5. Loosen the two hose connections at the ram fittings enough to let fluid and air seep out. The ram 90

fittings MUST face up (not down). This is the initial gravity bleed of the system.

6. Check the fluid level in the reservoir. Add fluid to baffle as necessary.

NOTE

If at anytime fluid in the reservoir runs out, air will re-enter

the system and all the bleeding procedures must be redone.

7. Loosen the connections at the p/s box and pump enough to let fluid and air seep out.

8. When p/s fluid runs clear (with no foam, bubbles, etc) re-tighten all fittings.

9. Check the fluid level in the reservoir. Add fluid to baffle as necessary.

10. Crank engine 3-4 time

11. Check the fluid level in the reservoir. Add fluid to baffle as necessary.

12. Check that the p/s fluid in the reservoir is clear (no foam, bubbles, etc.). If clear, start the engine and let run

for approx. 2 minutes.

13. After approx. 2 minutes, slowly turn the steering wheel left and right several times.

steering stops. This will allow the p/s pump to go into "High Pressure" and will not allow proper bleeding.

14. Check the fluid level in the reservoir. Add fluid to baffle as necessary.

15. Shut off engine and let stand for approx. 5 minutes.

16. Check the fluid level in the reservoir. Add fluid to baffle as necessary.

17. After 5 minutes, note the level of fluid in the reservoir. Start the engine. Note if the level in the p/s fluid

reservoir drops. If it drops, air is still present in the system and Steps 5 thru 17 must be repeated.

18. If the level in the reservoir did not drop, the system has been properly bled.

19. Secure the cap on the p/s fluid reservoir and carefully test drive.

this is from howe power steering

 

Wow! that's a lotta work.
I followed the Ford procedure. To reduce drag/stress on the new system I put a double layer of plastic under each front wheel.

 

I have a Howe 4.5 gpm/1500 psi pump and reservoir with a Tommy Lee steering box in my Jeep and that is the procedure I use. Thinking about it further, while both systems appear similar (steering ram), the Howe setup is different in that power steering fluid runs through the box, unlike the Mustang steering.