question for 410Fortune on power steering pump

[Fred Garvin]

How difficult was it to put the PS on? It looks like I have to remove the AC compressor first, is that right? Also, how do you disconnect the PS hose? It looks like you have to disconnect the hose 1-2 feet below the pump on the frame. Is this right?

Thanks for your help.

 

[410Fortune]

Fred,

OH crap. I am sure moving the AC compressor will gain you some room to work, I dont have AC and with my BII/4.0L conversion I have tons of room under the hood (compared to you Ex guys).

Tehe hydraulic lines come apart from the box itself I believe (been like 8 months) you can leave them hooked to the pump if it is not getting replaced, just remember which goes where. I had the proper line wrenches so this job was a snap. You will also want to inspect the frame behind the box closely, make sure there are no cracks or fractures, some explorer frames crack here (mine was okay), if it is cracked consider welding it up or re-enforcing it.


You should get a book for this job, it is really easy to do, but there is a proper proceedure for installation, centering the box, and bleeding.

Most of the work is dont from under the truck, so it may be helpful to lossen the serpentine belt and compressor and move it out of the way but I believe you can get in there without doing all that if you are sneaky......

You will need a pitman arm puller to get the pitman arm off, if you plan to install it on the new box............
Now is also a good time to replace any boots or worn components in the tie rods...........

Also I FINALLY found some addative that actually quiets down the Ford power steering pump whine......

I got this stuff at Carquest, it comes in a 8oz purple bottle. It used to be made from Whale Sperm back in teh day until they weren't allowed to kill whales, now it is a synthetic lube. I was skeptical at first, I figured its another scam like Slick 50 or Duralube (sure it works but is it worth the $$$) but for $3 I figured what the hell, the guy at Carquest swore by it. I have tried all sorts of crap in there , synthetic ATF, etc etc....this stuff works! It is noticeably quieter and smoother!!! I will try to get teh name of the product........Purple something or other....

 

[holter95]

410, maybe you could help me in diagnosing a PS problem... For the last several weeks I've started losing power assist, and the problem seems more apparent when it's relatively warmer (~35F), but has been pretty good when the temps have gotten cold (~10F). Just recently though I seem to have lost about 90% of power assist: I get a little bit of help every now and then, so it's not completely dead.

My question is, externally there seems to be no problem with the steering components (pump or rack leakage, tie rods, etc). How can I determine if this issue lies in the power steering pump, or if it could be in the rack-and-pinion box? I'd hate to put a new pump in only to find out the problem lies in the box. Any suggestions? Don't know how much experience you may have with r-p steering since I'm assuming the ol' Bronc's are recirculating ball.

 

[410Fortune]

Flush the system. Just like the ATF in your trannt the power steering fluid you have breaks down with time and with heat, it is no longer able to lube or cool like it once did.

get all the old crap out of there and use a good synthetic like Valvoline synth fluid, and consider a good PS addative. Run it for a few days, then flush it again.

Also you might consider a power steering cooler.
Your pump may need new seals, I would consider this before I went rebuilding the rack and pinion (big price diff)

Now I had the rack and pinion rebuilt on my VW for $190 so it may not be that bad.....

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

Holter, I had a low speed PS "shudder" when I bought my X. Just on a hunch, I replaced the fluid (M/D III ATF) and it stopped the shudder. Needless to say, I was pleasently surprised.

Like 410 suggested, a fluid flush and change would be the first thing to try.

 

[holter95]

Thanks, I'll give it a whirl. I like trying the easier routes first so I don't go mindlessly replacing parts if not necessary.

I noticed my pump isn't making any noise that seems to be characteristic with pump failures (no whining), which leads me to believe it's more of a line or rack issue.