5.0 swap - issue with power steering

I've just compeleted a 5.0 & T-5 swap on an 89 240. I installed a reman ZF rack before I put the engine in and have it hooked to the Ford PS pump.

It is "working" however the sensation is very strange. When I turn the wheel just off center, there is an odd resistance and then I feel the power steering kick in and it feels more normal for the rest of the way, but still not right. It's like the power boost is 1/2 second behind my steering input and it's especially bad just off center.

Any ideas on what this could be? Air in the system?

I rotated the wheel lock-to-lock several times with engine running, which I thought should bleed out any air.

Thanks!

did you jack up the car when trying to bleed the system? that always helps me. i go back and forth atleast a dozen times.

did i sell you a junk PS line?

not that knowledgeable about PS systems but maybe the FORD pump output does not match the OEM volvo pump?

Is there a bleeder valve on these racks I need to crack open? I didn't see one, but I don't know what to look for.

I only went back and forth a few times with the wheels off the ground. I wasn't seeing any more air in the pump reservoir.

Supposedly this swap has been done many times, so I 'assume' the ford pump is adequate (?)

hmm.. sorry cant help you.. are you sure the ford pump was in good shape prior to installing?

BigIrish said:

Is there a bleeder valve on these racks I need to crack open? I didn't see one, but I don't know what to look for.

I only went back and forth a few times with the wheels off the ground. I wasn't seeing any more air in the pump reservoir.

Supposedly this swap has been done many times, so I 'assume' the ford pump is adequate (?)

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Dealing with a similar issue, Mine I am sure is air needing to burp out. I did the run and turn on jack stands then later a number of tight turns on my road, still has an odd vibration when turning after my new P/S pump. Going back on jack stands and running through the cycle again. I am using an Explorer pump, which worked fine before just noisy.
Test Point had a issue with his rack giving inconsistent response side to side.

Are you 100% sure it's not alignment related?

Alignment is probably part of the issue, but I did manage to get it working much better last night. Flushed the system and turned lock-to-lock about 40 times and it's good now.

Still slight resistance off center but that is likely alingment. I just did a shade-tree alignment with toe plates for now.