I'm not very mechanical but in this economy I'm trying to learn. I have an 86 F-250 Diesel 4x4 automatic. The steering has gotten worse in the last few months, it is very hard to turn to the right in particular and it makes that squeaking high pitched sound like if you turn a wheel all the way to the end.

I'm assuming the power steering pump is going bad, could it be something else causing this?

Thanks.

 

Youve probably already done this, but when the steering fluid is low, it will wine like your describing. i found that out the hard way

 

The seals are probably leaking on the original pump.... I had the same problem. Had to keep filling the pump up like every 2 days. Easy way to fix it is get a new pump. If you aren't very mechanically-inclined then I'd suggest you have a shop swap out the leaky pump with a new one for you.

 

My steering gear made the truck hard to turn to the right and the pump made noise, so you may have two separate problems like I did. Apparently the gear to get is Redhead ($200+) and the pump to get is Saginaw. I opted for junkyard parts and if they go and I want to spend some money, then maybe I'll reconsider.

 

Thanks for the replies. Yeah, I've had to fill the steering fluid several times now, not every 2 days but like once a week, so there must be some kind of leak in the pump itself.
I'm going to get a used pump and try and swap it out myself.

 

You'll need a pulley puller tool to remove the pulley from the power steering shaft. Your local O'Reilly's, or other auto store should have one you can rent. It isn't too hard of a job.

Here's a pretty good how-to: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...placement.html

Good luck!

 

[double post]

 

When you fill the steering resivior with?

Try using mercron ATF instead of powersteering fluid. Will help with the ford whine they have