I recently had a drive belt fail on a 98 Buick Le Sabre and moved it a little without the belt. Just enough to get it on a trailer and then into my garage. I replaced the tensioner pulley and the belt but the power steering won't work, it'* full of fluid. I assume there is air in the system. I have seen conflicting methods of bleeding the air out. I humbly request any information any of you might have on the subject.

Thank you for your time, : ) Hank

With the engine running, slowly turn the steering wheel lock to lock 3 times.

If it is not a trapped air problem (and from your description I don't think it is) there was a case with another forum member where the power steering pulley was turning but the input shaft had broken, and the pump impeller was not turning. I believe he found it by removing the pulley from the pump.

Or since you replaced the belt. ensure that your belt is routed properly.

Yeah ... what he said. Sorry if I missed the obvious.

Moving the car without a belt wont put air in the steering system.

Ok guys, I thank you for your quick responses but no luck so far. I put the belt on correctly, not sure it could go on any other way. and I did try the 3 times to left and right locks while engine was running. I did however raise the front wheels off the ground and turn it left to right 40 times with the engine off (i saw a little difference) an then I started the engine and worked it back and forth 4 or 5 times and noticed a little more difference. But most importantly, I see many air bubbles in the reservoir. I plan to continue aboved procedures. I heard I could bleed air by loosening the high pressure inlet to the rack. This may have been for something other than a GM. Any ideas or opinions on this?

Again, Thanks for the quick response and effort, hank

If you didn't open up the system or replace a line...you shouldn't have any air in there.

maybe something happened when the belt came off and caused damage to the pump or pulley etc.

If the problem truly is air in the system, continuing to turn lock to lock will bleed it out. I hope this fixes it, but I think you have another problem.

If not, then my power steering went out at the same time as my tentioner pulley. It seems unlikely. and i did have to crank it to the left and right a great deal to get it on the trailer and then in the garage. I am open for any thoughts though and I thank you. God I'm hoping for air. lol