Power steering 2002 s80 T6

[jmallie]

My quetsion is how long after changing a power steering pump, resevoir and bleeding the air out by turning the wheels twenty times stop to stop does it takle to get any residual air out by driving. The Resevoir is from the dealer, the pump was from the volvo site (after market). The background is below.

I noticed a groaning in my power steering at low speed turns (parking etc). I checked the fluid and it was a little low, so I topped it up. That made a small difference but still groaning. It got progressively worse, but I did not see a meaningful drop in fluid level or signs of leakage under the car or on inspection. I took it to a independent I deal with and he saw no leakage from the rack and said the noise was clearly the pump, but advised I just keep track of it and do not worry as it could last a long while or with an exchange of fluid and bleeding it might quiet down. I exchanged the fluid (per a tech memo I used the green stuff not ATF called for in my manual -- also checked with the Volvo dealer who confirmed the use of the green stuff -- CHF 11s or CHF 202). Still groaned and was occuring at more than very slow speed turns. Took it to the Volvo dealer who concluded the rack is fine but it might be a leak on the back of the pump or the resevoir getting air into the system ($880 to replace both). They said it was a small chance the lines had a leak but did not see an indcation of that. This is a good dealer service department, just expensive. I replaced both items myself. I bled the air by turning the wheels stop to stop and got a lot of bubbles and groaning and eventually no more bubbles and the steering is great except for a mild groan at virtually stopped turning like in a K park. The groaning seems almost gone in the morning, but is there on the way home from work. It has been two days since I did the repairs. There is no sign of leaks and no bubbles or foam. It is full.

[MadeInJapan]

I think you're good to go. Any residual air will leave the rack and lines as you drive it.

[jmallie]

Thanks
It is strange. Car sits over night I back out no noise. I checked the fluid level and it seems to have drop a little, no sign of a leak so I figure it is quiet because the air left and that is why it dropped a little. I put a small amount of fluid to get it to the right cold level and drive 5-6 miles perfect no noise. Get home the car sits for 30 minutes, I back out groan !!! the rest of the night on turns from a full stop. Some how it seems either air is getting in as I drive or it moves around as it works out. How long can I expect this to last? Any chance the new pump is bad? The steering itself is just like when new except the groan, which is not all that bad, but not as it should be.

[jmallie]

Turned out is was a failed strut bearing in the cheap aftermarket part I got from IPD. The thing was maybe 6 weeks in service. Got OEMs from Volvo and about a year later still no noise.