I have to replace my vacuum pump to fix my brake pedal being like pushing against a brick wall. But i was wondering what all the vacuum pump controlled besides the brakes and hvac system.
Because as the pump has gotten worse so has my steering. when i turn the wheel in either direction sometimes it'll stick to where i have to muscle it back then it's fine again. Now whether or not it's related or my steering box is also going bad i was unsure about. i'm still learning about diesels i was more use to my old 91 5.0.

 

That is all it controls.

Flush out your power steering pump until fluid runs fresh.

I just pull one of the hoses and crank it manually in both directions.
It's a pita, but be careful if you pull the rubber line, the plastic can be brittle and break.

Don't use powerstearing fluid either, that stuff eats seals.

it is supposed to have ATF in it.

 

Your steering problem also sounds like the bearings in there are going bad. Lots of threads on here about it. You might try shooting some lithium grease into the steering behind the cover and see if it helps. They can freeze up on you and scare the crap out of you, so it is worth trying to get that fixed. If it is just getting hard, like the PS pump is going bad, that is a different issue. But when they "catch" it can be the bearings.

 

just run straight mercon (whatever version your using in the trans) or the mercon/dexron stuff from the auto supply stores...should work just fine

 

Thanks for the replies. I was figuring the the gear box was the problem but like I said the vacuum pump started going too an I've found out a few times the hard way that with these trucks one thing controls the other that didn't on my gasser. (Like fuel bowl heater an the PCM) that one had me stumped for an hour.

 

Your gasser didn't have a vacuum pump. The engine produced vacuum. But as said, the vac pump is not your steering problem. The lubrication idea mentioned above is in reference to the steering COLUMN. All three mentioned above (gear box, column, PS fluid) could be at issue; I'd start with the fluid flush, as it's a "good measure" practice anyway.

 

Yeah, I left the word column out which made my post less than understandable. It is easy though to do. Pop that cover on your steering wheel off - it just pulls straight out towards you - and shoot some grease in behind the wheel. If you can pull the steering wheel it will be better and you will get more in there. Mine was making a scraping noise for a while and a little grease really helped. There are some good write-ups on changing the bearings, but I haven't done it myself.

 

OMG mine has powerstearing fluid. I think I should change it, ASAP, right?

 

YES IMMEDIATELY, other wise you might break your steeringbox's high speed galvin rod.

(lol no, sorry if my comment came out that way I was simply saying that one can run straight ATF)

 

Our power steering pump isn't designed for PS fluid.

That's what Im' getting at. =)

run at your own risk.

It will run better with ATF.

 

UUUUFF, you scared me, I was going to leave my work immediately and go to change it. but now Im more calm after your second comment

Thank you.

Thank you amigo.

I will change it next weekend.

 

I had a bad steering column bearing once. I about nailed a car in the parking garage at school. Man that scared me. I didn't have time to work on it, so I took it to a dealer. $270 for new bearings including labor.

 

I've also seen posts that you can get a column from a junk yard pretty cheap and it is easy to swap. Plus the crown vics and such use the same column.

 

Eh all thats alittle too much work. im planning on getting rid of the truck soon anyways. so im just fixing what absolutely needs to be fixed. Replacing the vacuum pump went great only problem was that you cant take the shroud off without taking the fan off, and that was in the way when removing the pulley.

 

That doesnt happens IF you have the "shroud mod" (KAWA mod) done.