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MPV Section - Forums for Multi Purpose Vehicles: => Ford Galaxy Forum - Mk1 / Mk2 inc. VW Sharan and SEAT Alhambra (1995-2006) => Topic started by: pabinlove on March 13, 2015, 08:46:25 AM

Title: Steering fluid bleeding
Post by: pabinlove on March 13, 2015, 08:46:25 AM
Hi peeps I've looked but cannot find the bleed nipple for the steering fluid, any help or the process would be most helpful many thanks Paul.
Title: Re: Steering fluid bleeding
Post by: Mirez on March 13, 2015, 10:17:49 AM
There isn't one, the official way to bleed is with the engine running and to slowly turn the wheel from lock to lock 3 times.
Title: Re: Steering fluid bleeding
Post by: pabinlove on March 13, 2015, 01:31:43 PM
Cheers for the replies I've tried what you have said and still the same I've not had a lot of time to investigate but I've noticed that when I idle the engine around 1250 the noise stops. All I can hear coming from the steering is when I'm on full lock and cannot go any more the pump making the normal noise so I'm thinking this May be something different.
When left to idle on its own not even touching the steering wheel the noise is there. Really badly when I turn the wheel buts till  there when I don't.
Title: Re: Steering fluid bleeding
Post by: insanitybeard on March 13, 2015, 03:21:09 PM
Are you sure it couldn't be a problem from somewhere else in the auxiliary drive belt system, such as the belt tensioner or one way clutch on the alternator pulley? It could even be the power steering pump on it's way out. Turning the steering puts load on the power steering pump and consequently the auxiliary belt exacerbating any underlying problem. I believe my tensioner will require renewal soon- I've had belt squeal recently when I've had the heated front windscreen on and turned the steering over to the lock (the combined load from the power steering pump and alternator in this case puts a lot of load on the belt/pulleys/tensioner) so I think my tensioner's possibly not up to the job anymore.

You could try disconnecting the alternator belt and starting the engine, if the noise is gone then you know it's an issue with the auxiliary drive belt or associated components.
Title: Re: Steering fluid bleeding
Post by: pabinlove on March 15, 2015, 02:29:22 PM
Hi all just had time to look, at my problem took the tension off the belt and tried to turn the pulley on the alternator and it's solid will not move in any direction so problem found. Now for the fix does any of you good people know what I need to replace, any tools or any thing.
Title: Re: Steering fluid bleeding
Post by: gregers on March 15, 2015, 06:48:14 PM
iirc the pulley itself,look at gsf prices then get a price from vw.
to do the job yourself you need the spline tool to remove it.
look in the library as im sure there are details on how to do it.
Title: Re: Steering fluid bleeding
Post by: insanitybeard on March 16, 2015, 09:51:43 AM
If the alternator pulley won't rotate in either direction then it sounds like the alternator itself  (or at least the bearings) are physically seized, in which case you'll need to replace the alternator- reference library article here. (https://www.fordmpv.com/smf2/ford-galaxy-reference-library/galaxy-tdi-alternator-replacement-renewel/)
Title: Re: Steering fluid bleeding
Post by: pabinlove on March 21, 2015, 09:29:19 PM
Thanks for all the info, got it all fixed today it was the alternator clutch pulley. I used the sealy removal tool I was able to get it in with the alternator in the engine bay but couldn't get any good purchase on it so I had to take the alternator out. Thanks to the reference section! All put back together and running like a dream again, again many thanks Paul.