PS Pump Replacement

[Munch]

According to the service manual, when replacing the PS pump you are supposed to refill with fluid and then attach this special vacuum pump to the reservoir and then evacuate the reservoir and hold for a few minutes and then rinse and repeat a bunch of times.

Of course I don't have said fancy vacuum pump thingy (the special cap for the reservoir anyway). I've heard to just turn the wheel back and forth a sh!tload of times and this will work the air out. Do I need to get the fancy vacuum thing or will I be OK without it?

[WKMCD]

Originally Posted by Munch

According to the service manual, when replacing the PS pump you are supposed to refill with fluid and then attach this special vacuum pump to the reservoir and then evacuate the reservoir and hold for a few minutes and then rinse and repeat a bunch of times.

Of course I don't have said fancy vacuum pump thingy (the special cap for the reservoir anyway). I've heard to just turn the wheel back and forth a sh!tload of times and this will work the air out. Do I need to get the fancy vacuum thing or will I be OK without it?

FWIW: I had the pluid change in my CTS a couple of weeks ago as routine maintenance. All they did was drain it and fill it several times while turn the wheels lock to lock for about 5 minutes. Seems fine.

[Y2Kvert4me]

You'll be ok w/o it.

Fill the PS reservoir, turn ignition on to unlock wheel (if no CLB), and (assuming the front of car is on stands or off the ground), rotate the wheel lock-to-lock back and forth a dozen or so times to work any air bubbles out.

Recheck level in reservoir, add fluid if needed, replace cap, and it should be good to go.

After starting the car, with it idling, inspect the belt and pulleys closely for any wobbling, misalignment, or potential for tossing the belt before proceeding to drive.

[03SlowZ06]

I have always removed the feed line from the res but left the return line hooked up and plugged the feed line nipple at the res. Then I spin the pump pully backwards. It will purge the pump and res. Refill and repeat. Lastly, refill the res spin pump backwards one last time to remove any air then reconect the feed line to the res and spin backwards afew more times to make sure any air is out of the line. Reinstall everything. Lift the front of the car off the ground so you can do afew no load lock to lock turns right after first starting the car. Then check the fluid level.

Thats it. I call it good.