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| | Forums66 Topics126,778 Posts1,039,288 Members48,100 | Most Online2,175 Jul 21st, 2025 | | | Joined: Aug 2023 Posts: 15 'Bolter | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2023 Posts: 15 | 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 | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 | 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!
| | | | Joined: Jan 2019 Posts: 2,249 Herder of Cats, Goats, and Sheep (moderator) | Herder of Cats, Goats, and Sheep (moderator) Joined: Jan 2019 Posts: 2,249 | Manymiles: Are you asking about how to bleed the Hydroboost system (hydraulic, driven by a pump on the engine) or the brakes themselves? | | | | Joined: Aug 2023 Posts: 15 'Bolter | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2023 Posts: 15 | 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 | | | | Joined: May 2015 Posts: 9,830 Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums | Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums Joined: May 2015 Posts: 9,830 | 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 truckFollow this saga in Project JournalPhotos 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. | | | | Joined: Jan 2019 Posts: 2,249 Herder of Cats, Goats, and Sheep (moderator) | Herder of Cats, Goats, and Sheep (moderator) Joined: Jan 2019 Posts: 2,249 | 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. | | | | Joined: Mar 2021 Posts: 389 'Bolter | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2021 Posts: 389 | 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 | | | | Joined: Jan 2019 Posts: 2,249 Herder of Cats, Goats, and Sheep (moderator) | Herder of Cats, Goats, and Sheep (moderator) Joined: Jan 2019 Posts: 2,249 | 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. | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 | 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!
| | | | Joined: Mar 2021 Posts: 389 'Bolter | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2021 Posts: 389 | Drag link works too only one disconnect point. | | |
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