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#1567709 01/09/2025 6:09 AM
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I have installed a hydro boost system in my 1939 Chevy , yes power brakes and power steering in one unit .
I am trying to find out the proper way to bleed this system . looking on the internet has not been a good idea . nothing is consistent

does anyone know the best way to bleed a hydro boost system ? thank you

manymiles #1567718 01/09/2025 2:31 PM
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Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
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The system should be self-bleeding. Cycling the steering lock to lock several times, and repeatedly applying the brakes should cycle any trapped air back to the reservoir in the pump. Once it appears that the systems are functioning properly, top off the fluid level.
Jerry


"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
manymiles #1567750 01/09/2025 8:38 PM
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'Bolter
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See if these hints and tips from Hydratech help...

https://hydratechbraking.com/braketech1.html


1952 Chevy 3100
manymiles #1567752 01/09/2025 8:48 PM
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Herder of Cats, Goats, and Sheep (moderator)
Herder of Cats, Goats, and Sheep (moderator)
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Manymiles: Are you asking about how to bleed the Hydroboost system (hydraulic, driven by a pump on the engine) or the brakes themselves?


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manymiles #1567771 01/10/2025 2:59 AM
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hi Fibonachu . what has confused me in the many articals I have seen , to get the hydro boost system completely bled , do I turn the steering wheel right and left 5 time ?
or do I turn the steering wheel right and left 5 times ?
do I pump the brake pedal 3 times after turning the steering wheel 5 times ? or do I pump the brake pedal 5 times after turning the steering wheel ?
is this done with the engine off or engine running ?

I have bled the brake fluid , using a vacuum system . I had seen articales where they did the turning of the steering wheels and pumping the brake pedal up to 90 times ????

thank you for you reply

manymiles #1567775 01/10/2025 4:06 AM
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Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums
Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums
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If the brakes are properly bled first, and you have a firm pedal without the engine running, then purging the hydroboost/power steering system is usually pretty simple. Don't be concerned about how many times to turn the steering wheel and or pump the brake pedal. You'll know when you're done. When purging it, it helps to have the engine at a bit over idle speed. Also possibly helpful if the purging process still results in a brake pedal kickback indicative of air in the system, is applying a vacuum to the reservoir cap.


Kevin
1951 Chevy 3100 work truck
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1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car)
Busting rust since the mid-60's
If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
manymiles #1567780 01/10/2025 5:09 AM
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Herder of Cats, Goats, and Sheep (moderator)
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The GM Techline instructions say to fill the power steering pump reservoir to the cold mark, start the engine, and firmly/fully apply the brakes 10-15 times.

Shut off the engine, check/fill the power steering reservoir back to the cold mark.

With the engine off, lift the front axle off the ground and turn the steering wheel lock to lock 15-20 times.

Check/fill the fluid.

Start the engine and slowly turn the wheel lock to lock twice while listening for signs of air pockets/cavitation (pump noise/whining).

If there are signs of cavitation, repeat the bleed process. If there are still signs of cavitation, inspect hoses and connections for leaks.


From the Rocky Mountains?
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1958 Task Force Truck
"Frank" gets a new lease on life
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1959 3200 Task Force
The Ballad of Enkidu
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manymiles #1567799 01/10/2025 7:01 PM
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I also found doing this with the Tires OFF on these older trucks allow you to go to full lock to lock on these systems. With my wider tires I never got a full lock to lock turn on the steering wheel.
But the above gm process is what i do anytime a any of the Hydro boost parts are worked on

manymiles #1567816 01/10/2025 11:53 PM
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Herder of Cats, Goats, and Sheep (moderator)
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That is a very good point. You need to go full lock on the *steering box*, not the *tires*.

Depending on how the stops on the spindle are adjusted on the truck, they might clip before the steering box.


From the Rocky Mountains?
Check in with the RM Bolters!
HiPo Forum Moderator

1958 Task Force Truck
"Frank" gets a new lease on life
Follow in the DITY Gallery
1959 3200 Task Force
The Ballad of Enkidu
The Saga in the DITY Gallery ~ and the story continues
manymiles #1567821 01/11/2025 12:22 AM
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Posts: 28,674
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It would also be possible to disconnect the tie rods at the spindles- - - -which would guarantee that the rack travels fully lock to lock!
Jerry


"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
manymiles #1567849 01/11/2025 3:08 PM
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Drag link works too only one disconnect point.


Moderated by  Fibonachu, KCMongo 

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