Bleed Pwr Steer Pump with pitman arm removed?

[KRStone]

good afternoon,
Getting ready to attach new hoses to my power steering. I replaced the gear box and pump already.

Instructions say to reconnect everything, jack front wheels up, and turn back and forth to bleed.

Can I do this prior to reconnecting pitman arm to the steering output shaft? Just refill, and gently turn steering back and forth before fitting the pitman arm back in place?

Does it need resistance to properly bleed?

Thank you.

 

[Joe Mc]

Supposed to turn lock to lock 20 times then check level and repeat. You need steering connected. You'll do this till level stays full. I think you could damage new box internals without pitman arm and steering attached. Play it safe. Get a Factory Service Manual, Genos Garage has them. Best tool I ever bought for my truck...

 

[KRStone]

Supposed to turn lock to lock 20 times then check level and repeat. You need steering connected. You'll do this till level stays full. I think you could damage new box internals without pitman arm and steering attached. Play it safe. Get a Factory Service Manual, Genos Garage has them. Best tool I ever bought for my truck...

I don't want to damage box internals. Seems like it would be the same to do it either way. Thank you and I will play it safe.
I have had the factory service manual for years, it is very useful.

 

[Joe Mc]

I'd think without steering connected you could go too far when trying to get air out. You're going to connect linkage up anyway so why chance it. Last fall I installed a new PSC box (almost $700) I'm pretty sure the instructions that came with it indicated connecting all steering components then lock to lock 20 times with wheels on the ground I remember the black marks on the driveway...