The Neverending Power Steering Problem...

[kmank]

Well, I just don't know what else to try. Removed old rack and pinion and replaced with new. It wasn't that bad but like anything I just had to work through the different problems in getting it free from frame. Replaced with new one and filled with fresh fluid. Did all the methods of bleeding air out.
All was fine, steering felt great again. After a couple of hours of driving the steering started getting hard again and that buzzing sound coming from the
pump returned (the Pump is new, also). I started thinking that maybe air was seeping into the system thru the old pressure line ( there are NO fluid leaks anywhere) so I went and replaced the old pressure line. Bled again and all seemed ok for the first few turns down the street when the problems came back. This is driving me nutz. Any new ideas from anyone out there? Sure would appreciate. Thanx to anyone who gives this thread a read and some thought. gk

 

[DjDom]

Have you checked the low pressure lines? They're rubber lines that can be prone to cracking over age. Not just that, but the part where they connect to the pump and the other end may be letting air in.
Won't look like it, but the best way to check is by putting a vacuum on the system to see if there's air getting in.

 

[kmank]

DjDom, thanx for the reply. Like I wrote in my post I changed everything EXCEPT the return line. While picking up parts or fluid from autozone I'd asked about the return line and was told that it would not be there, just the pressure line. If there's NO leaks then there should be nothing getting in they'd say. If I do this vacuum chk should I purge whole system of fluid? Once I get a vacuum in system should I turn wheels hard left than right? Thanx again, appreciate big time.

 

[radman]

Rubber Lines Can Be Bad

The rubber return line can cause this same problem. They can start to separate internally like old brake hoses and cause a blockage which would increase the pump pressure giving you that whining noise. Check the return line and let us know what you find.
Mike

 

[kmank]

Mike, thanx, will do that first thing in morning. Just a question: there are 2 return hoses- one from cooler to pump and one from rack to cooler. should I pull both off and just replace with new 'cause I'm worried that I might be missing something when I look for pieces of old hose? I truely appreciate you guys (gals) seeing me thru this. Thanx again.

 

[radman]

Replace Both Hoses

You may not find any evidence of the problem by looking for bits of "old hose" in the system. These hoses are made up of several plies of material that can de-laminate. When this type of blockage occurs it is an internal separation of the lining of the hose. It can start as a small separation that produces a flap that catches the fluid and then folds over itself creating a blockage.

Replace both hoses to be sure it is fixed.

Mike

 

[kmank]

radman, thanx for the reply. Yep, I did wind up replacing both hoses, although I wound up doing the pressure line first after first being told that the return shouldn't be a problem. Well, after getting a couple of other replies telling me different and the poor condition of that line I did replace it. As in my last post the steering issues remained. I'm now about to flush out the A-Zone p/s fluid with some Mercon based trans fluid which I was told is what Ford uses. I'm about to run out of options so I'm hoping this works out. Thanx again. I do appreciate.

 

[delexploder]

Are you getting your parts from autozone? Like the pump or the rack? Cause there parts are garbage and that might be the problem

 

[kmank]

Delexploder. Well, I must say that this is one reply that is very hard to swallow. You see I've already busted my hump replacing the rack n pinion, pump and lines with their parts. I'm just going to hope that your criticism is on how long they last and not that they are faulty before they're even installed. I still appreciate you taking the time to give me that warning and if any of my parts prove to be the problem I will definitly let you know how right you were. Thanx again. PS: I do hope you're wrong, tho

 

[delexploder]

Me too, but in the 15 or so years since they came to this area they have pretty much been shuned by all the local shops as far as hard parts due to quality issues, but if you have replaced the whole system and it still isn't working then you have to look at the pump and or rack, I hope its the pump because I have done several racks and it always sucks, was the rack a duralast part? Reman or new? Same questions with the pump.

 

[kmank]

I really couldn't tell you off hand if these were Duralast parts but I will chk. As far as the steering "not" working its more the fact that the steering starts off fine in mornings or when it has been at rest. I'd think that all was fine because its turning easy, no noise and the wheels want to re-straighten themselves after a turn. But after driving a few blocks the probs begin again. Then while still driving for a distance ( can't say in miles/distance ) all of sudden it would be back to normal. This is whats happening. If I go to a parking lot and drive in left and right circles, lock to lock and get back on the street, again, everything would be fine.......for a while. This, atleast to me, doesn't sound like the rack or pump isn't working. Although anything's possible I can't think of what can be malfunctioning in those parts to work then not. What about you?

 

[koda2000]

have you changed/flushed the fluid yet and replaced it with Mercon? your problem could be the fluid your using is causing cavitation in the pump, which will cause air bubbles the fluid.

 

[kmank]

Just did it this pm. In fact I just walked in the door. Flushed and replaced and went thru the steps of bleeding before taking it on a short run. Pulling out the driveway the steering felt xcellent. Made a few uTurns and I did feel a little stiffness in wheel but then it felt right again. After all the disappointment I'm finding myself looking hard to feel something/anything wrong which is def not a good thing. I'm really hoping for the best but expecting the worse. Hope tomorrows drive will be a positive one. Will post again and let y'all know how things "turn" out My thanx again.
PS: Cavatate. When I Wiki'd the meaning I said "dang!", it sounds exactly like what could be happening with that fluid. Great word. Glad you used it.

 

[koda2000]

Just did it this pm. In fact I just walked in the door. Flushed and replaced and went thru the steps of bleeding before taking it on a short run. Pulling out the driveway the steering felt xcellent. Made a few uTurns and I did feel a little stiffness in wheel but then it felt right again. After all the disappointment I'm finding myself looking hard to feel something/anything wrong which is def not a good thing. I'm really hoping for the best but expecting the worse. Hope tomorrows drive will be a positive one. Will post again and let y'all know how things "turn" out My thanx again.
PS: Cavatate. When I Wiki'd the meaning I said "dang!", it sounds exactly like what could be happening with that fluid. Great word. Glad you used it.

i'm probably spelling it wrong, spell check didn't have any suggestions that looked right. it's an impeller thing, you also hear it used when talking about boat props. try cavitation.

Cavitation is the formation of vapour cavities in a liquid – i.e. small liquid-free zones ("bubbles" or "voids") – that are the consequence of forces acting upon the liquid. It usually occurs when a liquid is subjected to rapid changes of pressure that cause the formation of cavities where the pressure is relatively low. When subjected to higher pressure, the voids implode and can generate an intense shockwave.

BTW, i've been using AutoZone reman parts (but never their Valucrap line) for 20+ years and have never had a problem with them. the only bad part that comes to mind was a rear wiper motor, which had a lifetime warranty and they replaced it. i'm not saying they're any better than O'Reilly, Advance or NAPA, but i haven't found them to be any worse.

 

[swshawaii]

Any thoughts or opinions about this thread? :scratch:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=208220&highlight=power+steering+flush

 

[koda2000]

Any thoughts or opinions about this thread? :scratch:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=208220&highlight=power+steering+flush

yes. it's way too long. there will always be those who want to use really expensive high quality products. are they better for any given application? maybe. but i figure, if the manufacturer recommends a particular fluid, it should be good enough. not because it's written in some book, but because i figure they put some thought into it. it's too early to know if simply switching to the recommended fluid will solve the OP's problem, but it's worth a shot and pretty inexpensive to try.

 

[bill06447]

Bad ball joints will make a groaning noise in turns...just verify that they are (or are not) the problem...

Bill

 

[kmank]

Yeah, cavatate/cavatation, one or the other but it was the "vaporization due to the rapid changes of pressure" that really rang the bell in what a rack is actually doing. And being I have a small leak coming from my tranny ( will discuss that after I'm actually free from this mess ) I had a couple of full gallon jugs in the car already...well, what the heck. Go for it. And as far as the A-Zone parts....well, you just never know. I guess I can get faulty parts from any of the other local parts stores and online sites. If its meant for me to get that one bad one off the shelf...well, its just plain fate. Thanx for all your responses and suggestions you've all been great. Hopefully I can post some good news tomorrow. Have a good nite. gk

 

[Dave 1955]

What size tires you running?

 

[SoNic67]

You still didn't reply if you used Mercon/Mercon V.
The generic PS fluid doesn't work in Fords, always look in the owner manual for fluids requirement!