Ford Explorer steering oscillation

I have a '98 Ford Explorer XLT (5.0 V8). I just replaced the steering rack because it was leaking like a sieve. The steering also pulsated some during turns, but I figured one thing at a time....

So, now I have the new rack in, and I started the engine with the front wheels up to help finish bleeding the system. When turning the steering wheel, the wheels started oscillating back and forth uncontrollably about 5-10 degrees. I had to stop the engine to get them to stop.

So, what could the problem be?

- Air in the system?

- Bad steering pump?

- Bum replacement rack? (I hope not....)

I'm thinking the pump, since it also pulsated before I did any work, but it doesn't make any noise or anything. Of course, since all the fluid leaked out before I did any work, I guess it could just as easily be air. Oh, and I did transfer the check valve from the old rack to the new one.

Any advice on bleeding the system? I felt like I turned the wheel back and forth a million times before I finally just started the engine, but I never got rid of a gurgling sound. I was hoping that running the engine would finish the job.

And what's with the transmission fluid? Why isn't power steering fluid used??

Thanks, Eric

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evonhoene
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