Power Steering Pump Question
 

I just resealed my power steering pump on a 1984 380sl. The pump is a vickers. I reassembled the pump exactly the way it came apart after I cleaned it out and changed the front seal and two inner seals. I was very careful to install the pump blades with the rounded side facing out. The pump does not seem to be pumping the fluid. Is there something I missed or do I have to let the fluid seep in or do I need to bleed the system. With the engine running there is an air bubble every so often in the resevoir. Any suggestions would really help!

It seems that for some reason, some members do this job and their pump never pumps again.

Please let us know how it turns out and what the problem was.

i guess that you took it off because it leaked not because it didn't pump therefore you have to have something assembled incorrectly.one of my techs did this once and it took him a couple hrs to figure what was wrong[something back to front i think]

Do you think it is safe to drive the car with the pump belts turning the pump. I need the car and I cannot get the pump out befor tuesday?

The control valve may be sticking. If you can take the front of the pump off (on my car it's six 13 mm bolts), you should be able to access the control valve without taking the whole pump off. It only takes about 30 minutes to do. Get a small ice pick and push in a few times on the very center of the control valve. I am told that they sometimes stick.

The valve is under spring pressure. Just expect the small circular retainer clip to come loose while you're pushing in on the center (it probably will). I am pointing to the retainer clip with the tip of my screwdriver in the picture below. Take note of how it is installed. You may be able to hold the retainer clip flush with the back side of the pump while you push in on the control valve, just in case it decides to come loose.

If there was something that got into the pump while you were resealing it, you may find it at the banjo bolt on the high pressure line--right before it goes into the steering gear box. By the way, if there is something blocking the system, you will not get oil flow and will likely melt the new seals you just installed (ask me how I know).

Also, you need to bleed the system by turning the wheels from lock-to-lock about ten times without the pump running (front end jacked up). I would start there first if you haven't bled it yet. When you finally do start the engine, I think the manual specifies that you only run it for a second or two and then refill the reservoir. Make sure the pump doesn't run dry.

Are you sure that you bleed the system with the engine off?

How do you bleed the system. When I look in the resoiver there is no movement of fluid. If the pump is working the fluid should be moving!

Now I'm not sure. Chapter 46-0715 of the 124 service manual says:


The way I read it, the engine should be off when turning from stop-to-stop. I'll let you decide. I did both--just in case. Maybe some more experienced members can add their knowledge.

If your car has recirculating balll steering I think you can drive it pretty safely with the pump not working. If it has the rack and pinion I suspect it will be too hard to steer to drive safely that way.

I would think you would bleed it with the motor running.

Tom W