I've got a strange symptom I've never had with a power steering system, thought I'd see if anyone has encountered this, possible inexpensive fixes, etc.:

1987 F250HD 2wd 7.5l carb engine, power steering -

Symptom - with the engine off so power steering pump isn't doing anything - if I manually turn the steering wheel side to side (yes, it's hard to do) to the locks, say, while changing front shocks - power steering fluid ejects with force from the reservoir cap - sometimes even partially lifting the cap off the reservoir.

I of course first made sure it's not over filled or even too close to the full cold or full hot line.

It's apparently been doing this for some time - the area around the power steering gear/pump is always wet & dripping (sometimes a stream) but I otherwise see no other leaks I suspect it does this also with the pump operating - engine running - but since it does this with the engine off it seems more likely the gear box than the pump - unless the pump is supposed to prevent this.

I recently bought this truck and inherited the problem - don't know the maintenance/repair history.

I look forward to your thoughts on this & thx!

 

It's supposed to do that with the engine off.

 

Its normal

 

OK, for the record, I fixed it so it's apparently not normal. I replaced the reservoir cap with Dorman 82582 for $3.99 from O'Reilly's Auto Parts and problem solved. No more power steering fluid ejecting or even seeping from the cap or reservoir - stays dry now with the reservoir completely to the full hot (while hot).

Thx for your replies though...

 

Yeah that's not normal. Your cap just wasn't making a tight seal. Good to hear that it was a cheap fix though.

 

My factory cap has a vent hole, it's been doing that since the day it rolled off the showroom floor.

Good to know an aftermarket cap can resolve the issue.

 

Yes, my factory cap had a vent hole also - maybe clogged though no way to tell by sight - haven't tried compressed air - the Dorman cap also has a vent hole and looks identical to the factory one except the yellow paint ring and letters - they are just black on the Dorman. Maybe Ford had some defective caps?...

 

I would say your Dorman cap is the defective one.
When the oil gets hot and expands it needs and opening to vent the pressure.
This keeps you from blowing the hose off or rupturing the housing if it is one of the plastic ones and losing all of your PS oil.
No the Ford caps are not defective.
It is normal for the oil to come out without the engine running but it only comes out (overflows) when you turn the wheel one way and not the other. I do not remember witch way the oil comes out, turning left or right.

 

X2 ^^^

All my Fords (except the 2 vans, those have Saginaw pumps) spew oil from the gap if I turn the wheel with the engine off.

 

I was workin on motor mounts, had my dad turn the wheel so i could have a little bit more room and ended up with a face full of steering fluid.

 

Yet another reason for me to find a Saginaw bracket and get rid of this noisy C2 pump.
But it will have to wait until I get a better paying job.