It’s easy to forget that your power steering system needs regular maintenance, but if you don’t bleed the air from it regularly, you could be in for a nasty surprise the next time you’re out on the road. In this article, we’ll show you how to bleed your power steering system so that you can avoid any potential problems.
What is power steering?
Power steering is a system that helps drivers steer by using hydraulic fluid pressure. The pressure is created by a pump, and it is used to assist the steering wheel. The system is designed to make it easier for drivers to turn the wheel, especially at low speeds. Power steering can make driving safer and more comfortable, but it can also add to the cost of owning and operating a vehicle.
How does power steering work?
It seems like a simple question, but how does power steering work? To understand the answer, we need to know a bit about hydraulics.
Hydraulics is the use of fluids to transmit force. In power steering, fluid is used to assist in turning the wheels. The fluid is pressurized by a pump, and then directed to either side of a piston in the steering rack. As the piston moves, it helps to turn the wheels.
One of the most important aspects of power steering is bleeder valves. These valves are used to remove air from the system. If air gets into the system, it can cause problems with steering response and making it harder to turn the wheel.
To bleed air from your power steering system, you’ll need to locate the bleeder valves. Usually, they’re located on the reservoir or on the high-pressure line. Once you’ve found them, open them up and let the fluid flow until there are no more bubbles. Then, close the valves and check your steering response. If it’s still not ideal, repeat the process until everything is working properly.
How do you know if your power steering needs to be bled?
If your car is making strange noises when you turn the steering wheel, or if the steering feels stiff or difficult to turn, then it’s likely that air has gotten into the power steering system and it needs to be bled.
What are the steps to bleed air from your power steering system?
If your power steering system is making noise or is hard to turn, it may be due to air in the system. You’ll need to bleed the air out to fix the problem.
1. Park your car on a level surface and turn off the engine.
2. Remove the cap from the power steering reservoir.
3. Using a turkey baster or similar, suck out all of the fluid from the reservoir. Be sure to get as much of the old fluid out as possible.
4. Refill the reservoir with new power steering fluid.
5. Start the engine and turn the steering wheel from one side to the other several times, until you feel the steering getting easier.
6. Check the power steering fluid level and add more if necessary.
Is it safe to drive without power steering fluid?
If your power steering system is leaking, it’s best to get it fixed as soon as possible. Driving without power steering fluid can damage the system and make it harder to steer your car.
Conclusion
If you notice that your power steering is feeling a bit sluggish, it might be time to bleed the air out of the system. This is a relatively simple process that can be done at home with just a few tools. Follow the steps in this article and you’ll have your power steering working like new in no time.