Troubleshooting - PS pump or steering box

Macrobb · Dec 5, 2018

On my '93:
Recently, it started only giving me assist when turning left. Turning right was stiff - no assist at all basically.

I went to the JY, found a suitable steering box, pulled it, installed it and... after bleeding all the fluid... absolutely no assist either way.
As I was manually turning the input shaft, I saw a little fluid being pumped out of it, so it might be OK?

I'm suspecting it might have just been a bad steering box, but I'm not sure. For one thing, I'm *not* hearing any whining from the PS pump... so maby doing all this killed the PS pump?

I'm looking for a good way to test one or both, hopefully be sure before I start grabbing more parts and getting dirty again.

HS108 · Dec 5, 2018

Sounds EXACTLY like what happened to me.

One day I started having random times when it was hard to turn the wheel to the right, then it got so bad I could barely turn it a quarter turn to the right, but I could turn left no problem, and never a peep from the PS pump.

I replaced my steering gear box with a new blue top steering box and turns like a dream.

I think its time to pony up for a new box

Alaskaman · Dec 5, 2018

I concur, I had the same issue. Replace the steering box and all worked well.

The good news is that Ford Truck used the same Steering Box from 1985 thru 1996 (Maybe longer) and Pick-n-Pull have several at a much lower price. I found one with the engine and front clip removed. That made the job much easier.

Alaskaman · Dec 5, 2018

My mistake for not reading completely. I see you already replaced the Box, sorry. You should be able to remove one end pressure hose and turn the pump by hand. If fluid pumps out, your pump should be good.

Macrobb · Dec 11, 2018

For anyone who found this in the future... it was the steering box.
Went back to the JY, traded in the one I got for another, checked that this one had oil(and not water) in it... installed it, flushed everything with new Type F ATF, and... it steers again!

robw · Dec 12, 2018

^ Bravo.

ATF over power steering fluid? Is that kosher? I don't know. I like the fancy ATFs more than power steering fluid, that's for sure.

chillman88 · Dec 12, 2018

robw said:
^ Bravo.

ATF over power steering fluid? Is that kosher? I don't know. I like the fancy ATFs more than power steering fluid, that's for sure.

It's a heated debate. Factory spec is actually ATF. I run actual hydraulic oil in mine, results may vary, no warranties lol.

The_Josh_Bear · Dec 12, 2018

robw said:
^ Bravo.

ATF over power steering fluid? Is that kosher? I don't know. I like the fancy ATFs more than power steering fluid, that's for sure.

I switched to ATF with a very thorough flush and noticed very little difference. But a little smoother. There wasn't anything wrong in the first place, just PM years ago.

Macrobb · Dec 12, 2018

"Type F" ATF is a bit thicker than the standard dex/merc/whatever stuff you usually get. The extra thickness helps quiet these pumps down.
Personally, I'm using "harvest king" brand - cheap stuff, works fine.

HS108 · Dec 13, 2018

Ya I gotta flush out my Merc V my hydroboost is a little loud.

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Troubleshooting - PS pump or steering box

Macrobb

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HS108

Diesel Newb

Alaskaman

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Alaskaman

Registered User

Macrobb

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robw

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chillman88

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The_Josh_Bear

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Macrobb

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HS108

Diesel Newb

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