My steering is gone for the most part. 1979 ford f150 with worm gear box. If i turn the wheel it goes easy, hard, easy, hard, easy hard. all the way from lock to lock. Every time it gets hard the pump whines really hard. I just replaced the pump so i know its not that. Any ideas? Thanks

 

What shape are the hard lines in? Sounds like you may have a pinched line somewhere in the system. Does it blow the dipstick out when you hit the locks?

 

I'm betting it's air in the ps fluid and needs to be bled. Put the front end on jack stands , start truck and cycle it back and fourth lock to lock. Shut it off and look at ps fluid. It should not be foamy at all!! With no bubbles.
Do you have any leaks in the system? Lines , box? If so fix it right away. Its nearly impossible to bleed system as it will keep taking in air..

 

Also use power steering fluid not type F ATF.

 

What? I think you got it backwards.

 

I know manual calls for type F but I prefer regular ps fluid anyday. I've had much better luck for no squealing but also dont run the junk round pumps I run a Saginaw.

 

Inside the gearbox is the spool valve, when it wears down, when you turn the steering wheel, you get that easy/hard/easy hard 'bump' sensation.

The pump is complaining because when the spool valve is history, it has to work harder.

You have two choices: Go to a parts store, buy a so-called rebuilt gearbox, that is really nothing more than a resealed gearbox.

All Ford integral P/S gearboxes have a built in FLAW. There are no bearings on the sector shaft, so before too long, fluid begins leaking from this area.

redheadsteeringgears.com (located in Seattle WA) takes the housing, machines it, installs the needle bearing that Ford left out...on purpose,...so they could sell a gazillion seal kits.

 

If it is the gear box, Red-Head Steering Gears, Inc in Seattle, Wa. is hands down, the best source for replacement.
Steering Gears | Steering Gearbox | Rack and Pinion | Red-Head Steering Gears, Inc.

 

Alright, It seems i'm getting several different ideas so i'm going to start by putting it on a stands and turning the wheel with the engine off. If its still hard to turn its probably the gearbox. If thats the case I have a question for you 73 ford guy. I know you have the sagnaw/hydro assist steering. And I am working on getting a D60 front axle. My question is, if I get the sagnaw pump and make it hydro assist can I use it on my 44 until I get my D60? Cause I dont really want to buy a new gearbox and then buy the sagnaw a couple months down the road when i get my d60.

 

My powersteering fluid took a couple days of bleeding the system to get all the air out. Start it, cycle it then let it sit overnite and let the bubbles settle. Do again next day.

As for pump yeah it's just mounted on your motor so it will work for w/e axle.
Best bet is go to a wrecker and find one from an econoline van. Take the whole bracket and you may have to modify it. What motor do you have. Ask around and see what bracket guys used.
When you go with hydro assist ram again it's interchangeable between axles you just need to weld new tabs to the d60.
As for ram this one works fine for me..

Surplus Center - 1.5X8X1 DA HYD CYL SWIVEL EYES

Tapping the steering box might be tricky. What box do you have?

 

When you get a Saginaw pump then do this

powersteering

After I did that to mine I pressure tested it with a Kent Moore gauge I bought and it was bang on at 1500psi of pressure the same as those fancy expensive
" super pumps"

 

I have a 400. And I believe I have a worm gear box. sits on top of the frame on the driver side and hangs down. along the frame.

 

Just curious, how much did you spend making your own hydro assist setup?

 

Engine size has nothing to do with what type of P/S your 4WD has. 300 I-6, 351M/400 same-o, same-o.

You have Ford integral P/S, because it was the only P/S system that FoMoCo offered for your truck.

There are different types/styles because Ford P/S was used in myriad 1965/2002 FoMoCo Passenger Cars, various years of: F100/350 2WD/4WD's, Bronco's, Rangers, Bronco II's, Explorers, Expeditions and etc.

Ford P/S was introduced in: 1969 F100/250 2WD's and F350's from # D96,001 / 1975 Bronco's / 1976 F100/150 4WD's / 1977 F250 4WD's from serial # Y20,001/ 1979 F350 4WD's (first year F350's were available with 4WD).

1973/75 F100 & 1975 F150 4WD's, 1973/76 F250 4WD's & 1977 F250 4WD's before serial # Y20,001 used Power Assist P/S, which has a separate control valve and ram cylinder.

The manual gearbox is used, because it has nothng to do with Power Assist. There were two different types, Garrison and Bendix...the parts do not interchange.

Be thankful you do not have Power Assist, because replacement parts are slim and none, expensive when you find them. Lotsa luck finding a Bendix control valve seal kit.

 

Then how do I tell which one I have? All I could find on the box were these numbers C7AR-3A58 and a Ford stamp.