[SteelerStang]

The wife's 02 Escape was having problems with the power steering. It's finally completely gone. I've flushed the system, replaced the power steering pump and pressure switch. There are no leaks anywhere but still have no power power steering. Anyone have any suggestions of what else it could be?

 

[SUVord]

Air has to be purged out of the system first.
You do that by turning the wheel slowly and steady from stop to stop, while the engine is running at neutral and the handbreak on.It may take quite a few back and forth tries before you start sensing some power assistance.

 

[SteelerStang]

I did that after I flushed the system. Any other ideas?

4. Following the flush procedure, ensure the level of the MERCON(R) V fluid in the steering reservoir is at the "MAX" line.

5. Start the engine and keep it at idle. Remain inside of the vehicle.

6. Slowly cycle the steering wheel from lock to lock for two (2) minutes.

7. Quickly and forcefully turn the steering wheel in one direction to full lock (either side). Bounce the steering wheel on / off of full lock twenty (20) times forcefully.

NOTE IT IS CRITICAL THAT THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED QUICKLY AND FORCEFULLY IN ORDER TO CREATE A PRESSURE SPIKE IN THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM.

8. Repeat Step 6 in the other direction. Return the steering wheel to center position.

9. Slowly turn steering wheel to full lock in one direction (either direction) to achieve maximum pump pressure. Hold at full lock for one (1) second, then turn the steering wheel back 90~ as quickly as possible. Repeat this procedure twenty (20) times.

NOTE DO NOT HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL AGAINST THE STOPS FOR MORE THAN THREE (3) SECONDS AT A TIME. DAMAGE TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP MAY OCCUR.

10. Repeat Step 9 in the other direction.

 

[SUVord]

Ok.Sometimes a silly thing we do is to forget to take of the two caps from the pump hose fittings.If that is not true in your case, then it seems that a valve in the steering rack is stuck.
Still, it is worth it to leave the car at rest for a few hours and try again to purge the air out like you did before.It is not unusual during the process for air bubbles to form and they need time to settle down.I wish you good luck and hope to hear from you with the outcome.