Power steering help...again

Rack & Pinion haha. Got it. I knew I’d feel stupid about that one.
There was a diagram with the rack I got that said to connect some kind of hand pump to the top of my reservoir. It had a lid that fit like the reservoir lid, but it had a hose sticking out of the top that connected to the hand pump. Apparently you can squeeze that and it will force the air bubbles out?
I have no idea what that pump was, but I’ll take a picture of it tonight and post it

 

If your power steering is working but makes noises just deal with it lol.
Mines been making noise for at least the last 60-70k miles. As long as there is fluid in the system, I wouldn’t worry about it. I check my fluid level every oil change and probably top it off every 10k.

Side note, easiest way I’ve found to bleed a rack and pinion is turn it from lock to lock SLOWLY 2 times each way and turn the engine off at full lock and let it sit for 30 minutes or more and allow the cavitation dissipate. This would be for someone installing new components (pump, r&p, hoses, etc).

OP, as you and others have said, you probably have a small leak in your r&p, which if that is the case, the s I’ve method won’t help your situation. You’ll start it up, it will be silent, then start whining after 2-3 seconds lol

 

I’ll have to give this a shot! Thanks for the idea. I wouldn’t have worried about it in the beginning, but what started as a noise ended in complete loss of power steering haha. I’ll try shutting it off at full lock and leaving it alone

 

Like I said, if you start it up it’s initially quite but then starts to whine, you have a partial failure of a component (like a leak) not just air in the lines

 

Thanks. Currently, whenever I start it up it immediately starts whining. When I go left to right a few times it goes away and all is well. Definitely will be rebuilding my old pump because I can return the other one and get my $150 back.
The great thing about the new rack and pinion is I don’t bounce around so much hitting bumps cornering on the freeway and driving into driveways. So I’m happy about that. The wheels just seem more stable

 

Dumb question, are you filling with ATF or power steering fluid?

As stated above, I don't think any bleeding porcedure is going to help you after all you have already tried.

 

I’m using dex/merc or dexronVI. One of the ones that says it’s good for DexronIII that the manufacturer calls for. Lemme take a pic

 

Update:
Rebuilt the oem power steering pump and go my money back from the new one I purchased (same whine, but power steering works great)

Went to put in a magnetic inline filter today and saw this (pic below probably). Return line was wet with goopy drippings on the radiator hose and alternator. Took two-three weeks for that amount of leakage to be found. Cleaned off the hose and drove around for half an hour. Came home and found two new drip's on the lower radiator line. Felt the hose and low and behold, very small wet spot on my finger.

SO, I'm going to NAPA to buy a generic return line hose for $15.
My guess is what happened was I got some cracks in the hose from clearing out my line over and over again. I would disconnect the upper portion of the hose, fold it in half with a 5 gallon bucket underneath, lift up the truck, and turn the wheel until there was no more power steering fluid leaking out...
HOPEFULLY this works. If not, then we will know our answer that it's probably the mesh inside the reservoir. I've checked most of the metal parts of my return line and I'd say they aren't the culprit, but I'll keep my eyes open.
Kinda tired of lifting the truck up and trying to bleed the system.

Either way, once I get this figured out, I'm gonna be selling this truck and getting a 2nd gen dual cab so I can drive my kids around. This has been a great truck (minus this headache). Initially needed a truck to get me to work and back, but now want something that I don't have to use the wife's suburban when taking one of the kids somewhere with me.

 

What ended up fixing it?? Having the same problem and debating getting a remanufactured pump or rebuilding the oem one?