Power Steering Issues

[Swinson1974]

I have a 96 XLT 4.0, 4WD. I replaced my rack, my cooler, all the hoses and grabbed another pump from the salvage yard...

When I turn, it's like super super hard manual steering. No leaks and no air in lines. I followed the directions of a mechanic friend of mine to fill the system without air getting into it.

A comment was made about my ball joints and tie rods. My tie rods and upper a-arms/upper ball joints are a year old, but my lower ball joints need to be replaced. I have them, just wanted to get steering fixed first.

The vehicle was set up to have a rake on the front when I got it (lower front end by at east an inch) so I had to get a new camber kit that I also haven't fixed yet either,

Can anyone give me some possible input on what could be wrong please? I tend to just replace everything, but this is one of the explorers that is all rust on the bottom and I need it for winter. I have a second one that only has 2WD, with no rust and more miles, I realize some just have bad luck.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Swinson1974]

Anyone at all?

 

[J_C]

I'd disconnect the tie rod ends then see if the rack moves easily, and whether you can easily pivot the wheels left and right by hand, with it lifted off the ground of course. That should at least narrow it to one or the other.

 

[Swinson1974]

The rack moved fine with the tires not on the hubs and the front end off the ground. If I go in that direction, I believe it gets harder with weight on the tires.
I'm going to jack both the tires off the ground tomorrow and check it that way. if it's ok, then I'm gonna change out the lower ball joints.

 

[XLTrunner]

Wait...I thought I've always read on here that moving the front wheels manually without assistance from the power steering pump will introduce air and cause hard steering?

 

[J_C]

^ Yeah, if the test is done with engine off, a few turns of the wheel lock to lock, engine running should be done to evacuate air before evaluating whether it's fixed.

 

[Swinson1974]

Work has stopped me from getting out and testing it all out, I'm pretty sure it's the lower ball joints and the stock camber kit needing replaced. Only hard to turn while off the jack with downward pressure on the wheels... fortunately I have all the parts, just now I don't have the time. I better make the time before winter. I need the 4WD.

 

[Swinson1974]

Thanks guys for all the help, I just jacked the front up and it's the ball joints that are worn, being that the truck was lowered in the front for rake before i got it, they did a job on the suspension. all new joints and camber kit going in, everything else was already new. Thanks!