Every time you need to replace a component or part in the power steering mechanism like the pump, hose or piston, you need to bleed the system. This procedure is necessary to push the air into the steering fluid reservoir and get rid of the noise caused by bubbles in the fluid whenever the steering system is operating.
Park your PT Cruiser level, open the hood and pull the dipstick from the steering fluid reservoir. The level should be at the Full mark on the dipstick with the fluid between 70 and 80F [21 and 27C]. If necessary, add steering fluid.
Let the fluid settle for 2 to 5 minutes, if you had to bring the level up to the Full mark. Then start the engine, let it idle for 5 minutes and then turn it off. Now check the steering fluid level and add some if necessary. Repeat this process until the level remains at the Full mark after turning off the engine.
Jack up the front of your Cruiser using a floor jack to bring the front wheels barely off the ground and chock the rear wheels. Apply the parking brake and set the transmission to Neutral [manual] or Park [automatic]. Start the engine and fully turn the steering wheel to the left and right five times, gently touching the stops in both directions.
Check the steering fluid level and add if necessary. Then lower your Cruiser and turn the steering wheel five times left and right, gently touching the stops in both directions. Turn off the engine.
Check and inspect the fluid level and add if necessary. If the fluid is filled with bubbles, let it settle for 5 minutes and then repeat the whole procedure described above until you eliminate most of the bubbles from the system.
