power steering pump? HELP

[daphinezot]

My '94 Ford Ranger acted like it was losing power steering and was vibrating. Someone told me it might be the power steering pump going out. A few days ago, it started vibrating A LOT and losing power steering. I was going about 40 MPH and it wouldn't accellerate any more, then when I stopped at my house, smoke was billowing out from over the right front tire. So, does anyone know if that is ONLY the power steering pump? Why would that cause the truck not to accellerate? PLEASE HELP! THANKS!

 

[Xplorer92]

It sound alot more serious than the power steering pump to me, the power steering pump does not have anything to do with the performance of the Engine, or Tranmission. In other words the truck should be able to run just fine without power steering. Have you checked the power steering pump resavoir, it could be low on fluid which could be a result of a number of things such as a bad seal in the steering gear (the box that the pitman arm is mounted to), one of the hoses going from the steering gear to the pump is bad, etc. Also the smoke could be from steering fluid spraying on to the hot Engine.

 

[daphinezot]

Thanks for the info

Thanks for the info. I checked the power steering fluid, and it's full. I guess I'll just have to take it to a mechanic when I can. THANKS AGAIN!

 

[daphinezot]

Wheel bearings

My brother thought it was the wheel bearings (the tire wobbled when he jacked it up.) So he changed that and I haven't had any trouble so far.