Tired Steering

BrianX128

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The big truck seems to have some tired steering going on these days. (1990 F350 Quad Cab / 2wd). I know the belt isn't slipping, nothing is leaking, but the symptoms don't line up with anything I've dealt with before. It's fine if the truck is moving at anything more than like 1 mile an hour. RPM's of engine don't matter either if it's not moving, I could red line it. There is just a faint vibration, almost like what a hydraulic 3pt hitch feels like on a tractor when it's slightly low on fluid and it's grabbing an air bubble as it moves the piston repeatedly. Fluid is full though, looks clean too. I wasn't sure if there is anything to check on the box or if I should just change the 33 year old original power steering pump and see what happens. I'm just sad I can't put one of my 300 straight 6 pumps on, I love the fake supercharger whine lol..
 

rvitko

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FWIW, the pumps are pretty easy to reseal, I just bought a reseal kit on partsgeek and while I was at it I changed the hoses and completely cleaned the cooler line on the frame. It's a big savings over a refurb and I don't trust new Chinese or most rebuilds, had enough of autozone spray painted rebuilds and Cardone crap that lasts months. In the end it didnt change much in my case, I ended up putting in a red head box and that finally solved all my play issues. From what you desribe though, it may just be air intrusion or the restriction valve sticking that holds the pressure in the line, just getting it apart, cleaned, up, resealed, may be all you need.
 

Jesus Freak

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I'm with him, it's an old truck moving tires that are holding up a thousand pound engine and bunch of steel. It's tired and wants messing with.
 

Big Bart

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Brian,

Sounds like your pump to me, just check that your belt is not slipping (Hard, glazed, or squeals.) or a new pump may not be needed.

The pump creates the pressure and the PS Box uses it to move the pitman arm shaft back and forth. What you describe is a lack of pressure (Lack of power in the steering.) which infers the pump is tired and not creating full pressure at idle. As mentioned above or your pressure relief valve is stuck partially open.

To your point it is weak so when stopped you are trying to skid the tires left to right. That is when your steering takes the most effort. When rolling (Even 1mph) the tire can skip not skid and it is far easier for the steering to move the tire left to right.

I too suggest replacing the ps lines. Also blow out the metal cooling line before installing a new pump. You could have a ballooned hose line (Causing a restriction on the fluid.) or a slightly plugged metal cooler line.

Keep in mind many say they have had weird issues with their steering due to bad steering shaft u-joints or worn steering shaft bearings. But speed did not seem to be a factor. They inferred turning the wheel was hard to do or the steering did not return to straight in a turn. Your issue sounds like a lack of ps pressure but keep the above in mind.

Let us know what you find and attach some pics.
 

Austin86250

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you could always just change the pump anyways for peace of mind its 2 bolts 1 high pressure line and one return and it was only about 55$
i didn't realize how weak my old one was until i put a knew one in the no more classic ford power steering groan
 

Jesus Freak

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you could always just change the pump anyways for peace of mind its 2 bolts 1 high pressure line and one return and it was only about 55$
i didn't realize how weak my old one was until i put a knew one in the no more classic ford power steering groan
Oh, come on! You know it sounds cool, almost as cool as a squeaky crown Vic or Lincoln, any of the "panther platform" cars.
 

BrianX128

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Well I took it off and cleaned it out as best as I could. Seems like something had disintegrated inside, there was small black almost O ring looking pieces floating around. I cleaned it all out, put new fluid in it, and it actually is somewhat better. I'm not going to say it's 100% better but it is certainly noticeable and seems like it gained some power back to where it's not struggling anymore. Guess we'll see what happens now. I'd love to know how nothing is leaking without whatever that O ring was unless it's some sort of internal pump seal.
 

Jesus Freak

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See, at least you "feel" like you did something and there appears to be improvement. The O ring was probably just extra stuff that was slowing you down, you might see imperceivable gains in the quarter mile. But really, it is nice when you don't have to spend $$$ to get improvement. Great job!
 

Big Bart

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Well I took it off and cleaned it out as best as I could. Seems like something had disintegrated inside, there was small black almost O ring looking pieces floating around. I cleaned it all out, put new fluid in it, and it actually is somewhat better. I'm not going to say it's 100% better but it is certainly noticeable and seems like it gained some power back to where it's not struggling anymore. Guess we'll see what happens now. I'd love to know how nothing is leaking without whatever that O ring was unless it's some sort of internal pump seal.
Brian,

The PS box uses large round 3.5” o-rings but they are more like plastic than rubber as I recal.

The pump does have rubber o-rings, here is a link that shows you all the o-rings in a PS pump rebuild kit. Perhaps the pump o-rings are old and failing.

 
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