Hey Kind folks, (99 F250SD 4X4 6.8L)
My truck ran out of talent while doing some donuts off-road this weekend and I lost all power steering.

I have no leaks in the system and the oil is fresh (well it was, now it is filled with bits of metal shavings from either the pump or gear box. Oh, and the fluid level never fell bellow the correct level.

I don't hear the pump when trying to turn the wheel, so that makes me think the pump. BUT I don't want to replace the pump and have the gear box be the actual problem and destroy the new pump with metal shavings.

I'm curious what you think. I can still drive it when I have to but with 37's, its hard to tell if its just hard to move because its just a big truck, or because the gear box is damaged

Unfortunately, I have no way to test the pump with a in-line pressure gauge.

Thoughts?
Thanks! - Caliaviation

 

If the pump went and the box was good, it isn't anymore. Short of disassembling and cleaning there will be metal in the box. You can put a filter on the return line, but the box may give issues like intermittent loss of boost, or keeping the boost on after completing a turn. Likewise, if it was the box, now it's the pump's problem too. Best to replace both, and put a return line filter in after flushing the lines.

 

Thanks for the help friend!

I had not thought about putting in that filter! Great thinking.

Unfortunately, I can only swing one part or the other

I certainly throw in a filter. thanks man!