Howdy all from the Western Slope of Colorado!! I have a 77 F250 4x4 that I have recently acquired and am looking for some input... It apparently has the power steering assist ram cylinder... is that what its called??? Anyhow, its leaking pretty good.. and my power steering is slowly dying out because of it. I cant seem to find a new one at any local parts house and the internet wants upwards of $300 for one... with an outrageous core charge... can these be re-built? It appear to have a snap ring on the cylider where it is leaking but am not sure if I can get a rebuild kit for it... Any suggestions... I will post pics as soon as I figure out how. haha. Thanks in advance!

 

You have power assist steering (as opposed to integral power steering) has a hydraulic ram and control valve.
The cylinder can be rebuilt. The problem is finding a seal kit to do it. I'll double check to see if I'm correct but I believe there is only ONE seal kit still available and (unfortunately) Bob Allen Ford is the one who has it. Bob Allen has a terrible reputation when it comes to obsolete parts. You pretty much have to be sitting on a pot of gold to by from them.
Let me check and I'll get back.
BTW welcome to FTE. Lot's of good, knowledgeable people here.

 

Welcome to the site. Can we see pictures of it?

 

I stand corrected.
According to my parts locator there are two seal kits still available.
Seal Kit, P/S assist cylinder
74-77 F250 4WD From S/N T80,001

D4TZ-3A764-A Last list price $58.32 dealer cost $34.99

Artesia Ford-Mercury Sales, Artesia, NM has 1 (575) 746-3578
Bob Allen Ford, Overland Park, KS has 1 (913) 381-2999

Good Luck

 

Awesome thanks for your help. Are these dealer only parts or can I go through an independent parts house?

 

Not a 100% sure but I believe these were dealer only items. They've been obsolete for quite a while and those are the only two kits that I could locate. No other dealer or obsolete parts supplier has any.
Also, so you know, there were two different systems used. The earlier trucks used the "Garrison" system. The later models, like yours, used the "Bendix" system. Parts are not interchangeable between the two systems.

 

I wonder if anyone has matched up the seals with something else. The seals in the rebuilt cylinders have to be coming from somewhere. Mine is leaking a bit as well.

 

Install a 2wd Power box and use a drag link like the 78-79 trucks. Pretty simple to do if you have a welder and some fab skills. My dad did it to his 76 F-250.

 

Just out of curiosity I did a search for the complete hydraulic cylinder. I figured I wasn't going to get any results. SURPRISE!! There is still one complete cylinder available.
They probably want a boat load of money for it, but if someone needs one bad, it's available.
Cylinder, power steering hydraulic control
Fits: 74-77 F250 4WD From s/n T80,001 w/ Bendix style
D4TZ-3A540-A
Green Sales, Cincinnati, OH has 1 (800) 543-4959

 

I don't know anything about those cyliners but why couldn't you retro fit one from a tractor or something so you'll have a for sure rebuild kit