ok so why do the 97 and older f350 with solid axle dana 60 front and front leaf springs turn so dam good? my old truck a 1997 F350 reg cab turned like a dream, even when i added 315/75r16 to it i could turn it sitting still at idle with one finger!?

 

I can turn lock to lock easily on blacktop with aggressive 285s on it. My dads is the same way. Both V10s. The vendor making the pumps for Ford could have bad QC. Maybe some of the pump housings have residual iron from casting that restricts flow. Who knows. Probably bad QC more than anything.

 

whats QC DKF?

 

On the older trucks the scrub radius was different.

There also was a change in the pitman arm around the 2002-03 time range, which corresponded to a change in the spline count if I remember correctly. The running change shortened the pitman arm for more leverage, although sacrificed more steering wheel rotation for a specific turn. So the earlier trucks are harder to turn when stopped.

As with all parts, there are variations in pump output depending on production clearances, but from what I was told the quality control variation of this model pump is not different then other model years or platforms.

 

Watching this video motivated me to flush mine. Super easy and solved all my problems. Best guess is that there was air in my system after my engine was RR. Power steering system wasn't compromised but it definitly didn't work well and made a crap load of noise after the RR.

I used longer hose for the discharge so I could put the bucket on the ground and not have to take off the intake box. And, I put a 1/2 in hose over the existing return line and ran it to the bucket as well. The 1/2 inch line was clean... no oil in it whatsoever, but I am glad I put it on. After you are done and you are going to remove the teporary discharge hose, use plyers or needlenose plyers and squeeze the hose closed right at the nipple to avoid oil running out of the hose all over the engine compartment plus, its easier than doing it with your hands.

Another tip I have as well, Add your fluid slowwwwly. That tank is small and overfills very easily. It doesn't come out of the return line to the bucket as fast as you might think.

Thanks agin for the vid.

Total time 1/2 hour. If ya got clear hose thats great, but just spend the dough and run 4 quarts through and don't think twice about it.

Tony