Ford Ranger Shakes Violently While Turning The Steering Wheel

[Matthew Biddinger]

Hey all, this is my first post and I just want to first start off by saying hi to everyone who reads this, also, thank you for taking the time to help.

The vehicle is a:
2001
Ford Ranger
Edge
3.0 V6, automatic transmission, 2WD
Made and sold in the United States

Okay, so on to the problem. I decided today that I was going to change my power steering fluid. I checked it when I bought the vehicle and it was a blackish color and smelled burnt, and since the vehicle was a recent purchase I started going through the usual checklist of stuff that I’d like to do to it, that fluid being at the top of the list. So I checked the owner’s manual for the fluid it took, bought the fluid, and went ahead and started changing it. I used a turkey baster to get the bulk of the fluid out, put the key in the “on” position, went lock to lock, and repeated the process until I couldn’t get any more fluid out. I then proceeded to fill the pump back up, and then started the vehicle to let it idle for a few seconds to work out bubbles, and then repeated that process until the fluid no longer receded into the pump. I did all of this while the truck was on a jack, so once I lowered it back down and tried to turn the wheel, the whole front end shook like it was going to fall off. I let the vehicle idle until it reached operating temps and tried again, and again I got the same problem. Can anyone tell me what happened? I didn’t think I could screw up something so bad by draining and adding fluid to a power steering pump.

The fluid used was an STP MERCON V Automatic Transmission Fluid with a small amount of Lucas Power Steering conditioner to help quiet it down.

Any help you guys could offer would be great, any questions by all means feel free to ask them. Thanks again.

Also, this is the video I used for a reference when changing the fluid. Power Steering Pump Video

Topic

[Richard Kirshy]

Sounds like you have an air pocket.
When you were refilling the system, did you turn the wheel lock to lock during the refill?
Might suggest you lift the front end again and with the engine off start turning the wheel lock to lock and see if you can work the entrapped air out.

[Matthew Biddinger]

Okay, that sounds a lot better than what was rolling around in my head.

I did turn the wheel lock to lock a few times during refill but the fluid stayed at the same level so I thought I was good.

So, I should jack the front up again, and put the key in the “on” position and just go lock to lock until the air works out?

[Richard Kirshy]

Yepper, don’t start the engine.
If I had to guess, I would think you have air entrapment inside the rack itself.
How long it may take to clear it out is anyone’s guess.
I’ve never changed steering fluid like that.
I usually draw out as much fluid as I can, refill, run it a minute, then repeat several times.
The system doesn’t hold a massive amount of fluid.
Usually 2 quarts or less and it’s bright red again.

[Matthew Biddinger]

Thanks a lot for your help, I appreciate it. I think if I do this again I’ll be doing it like you said, that way there isn’t a whole lot of room for air to get into the system.

I’m going to jack her up now and see if I can get the air out, I’ll post back when I’m done.

[Matthew Biddinger]

Well, it didn’t work. I sat outside for over an hour turning lock to lock and no luck. I just ended up paying a local mechanic a few bucks to put a vacuum bleeder on it and get the air out.

Thanks again for your help man.

[Richard Kirshy]

Sorry to hear that..
But, a lesson learned for the future.

[Matthew Biddinger]

Yep, you got that right man.

[Author]

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