i am looking into buying a f600 its in great shape aside from one issue. it is having a hard time with the powersteering. i am wondering what would be the most likely cause and if nessicary where i can get the parts to replace them.

 

Can you be more specific..
Is it noisy does the pump squeal... does it turn hard.. does it clunk?
Have you had someone turn the wheel while you check underneath and see if anything looks strange while they do
Forty plus year old boxes usually need at minimum fluids changed and normally seals if there is any evidence of grease on the box.. I cant recall not finding one that isnt oily at this point

I have a 74.. I can get everything at Napa..or a good oriellys (good meaning they will search for you)

Power steering hoses are no longer made.. but I found a solution
I changed my hoses into JIC fittings by cutting the old ones off and brazing JIC ends on on and now they are cheap to replace.. anywhere that makes hoses

Box is rebuildable also by any qualified rebuilder... as is the pump ( I thnk you have the large one with the coil around it to act as a cooler)

Im currently checking this week to see if the later box fits,,I believe it does but will know for sure by friday.. if that is the case its available at Napa or Orielly,,

For parts at Orielly tell them 75 F500,, thats still in their computer system.. at Napa youll need a friendly parts man with the books

 

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its a distinct clunk and there is a fair bit of play in the wheel that is an accurate description of the power steering pump. its only occasionally does it but when it does it gets stiff

 

Potentially there sounds like more than one issue

Stiffness and clunking may be seperate issues...
Stiffness can be associated with a failing pump.. or a bind issue.. with something worn out.. but most likely the steering box itself

The "clunk" can be loose steering box.. check bolts.. worn out tie rods and steering shaft end.. jack up truck on stands and check for play or looseness.. shake all arms.. turn back and forth and note any up and down or inordinant side to side play.. there should be none... steering box may be worn out,,, and that is 500 to rebuild

Also check rag joint for disintigration... I routinely look to replace mine on every f600 I own. Oriellys sells a Dorman ford repair kit ,, as does everyone else... 40 year old rubber in steering components generally needs to be replaced

Pumps normally work or not.. and failure is generally accompanied with noise or leakage,,, when under pressure a pump will exhibit a slight noise but should not be unusual. A look at the PS fluid will tell you if its ever been serviced.. obviously there should be no sign of any metal contaminant.. evidence of same means a worn out box

I would say any f600 box at 40 years of service is probably due a close inspection or overhaul

Safety first..

 

how big of a jack should i use for lifting it?

 

Any hydraulic jack of two ton or greater can lift one side/wheel of an f600... that isn't the issue.. its the jackstands or solid blocking that you need to safely work under the truck... especially since you will be shaking and pulling on components .
I use the big harbor freight 20 ton jackstands... and a 20 ton commercial long frame floorjack.. this is way overkill
Don't get hurt

 

alright last question anyone know the shift pattern its a five speed with a 2 speed rear end

 

There were a couple or more 5 speed options. If you post your warranty/data plate info, it can be decoded to tell what trans you have.

Possibles, note this is a Chevy site, but these boxes shifted the same in a Ford:

The Transmission Page

The two speed--you familiar? You should not shift those just any old way. Follow the links here for the way Eaton wants you to do it:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ml#post9565523

 

im semi familiar(pun fully intended) with a low high range but not so much splitting gears ive done it only a hand full of times where can i find the warrentee plate?

 

scratch that found it

vin: f61EVS40442
stuff below vin(i cant read the text pointing out whats what): 212 B F613 4B8 9 E1L

Stuff below that: 22000 72

 

i also noticed a odd looking pump or rubber button in the cab under the dash on the far drivers side any clue as to what this is or what its for?

 

Most likely winshield washer. Napa makes my steering hoses no problem.
Clunking is mecanical, whinnying, buzzing is hydraulic.

 

i think i may have fpound the root of the problem had a partner to help me and noticed that while the power steering pump turned well while idling once put under load it was locking up i suspect this was the clunky sound i was hearing then i noticed the belt was beyond worn with massive amounts of play im going to be replacing the belt tomorrow and seeing if this stops the issue then i would like to do a complete tune up but have no clue as to which motor i have too look up info and no clue as to what fluids to use... also i have since noticed a exhaust leak i suspect at one of the drop downs from the manifolds not sure what to do about this either... really not used to working on anything quite like this (raised in a chevy family lol)

 

F61 = F600 2WD

E = 361 2V or 4V FT engine.

V = Kentucky Truck Assembly Plant.

S40442 = 1973.

212" Wheelbase.

B = Light Blue.

F613 = F600 2WD, 22,000 lbs. GVWR

4B8: 4B = Black H/D Vinyl // 8 = 81A Standard Cab.

9 = New Process model 542-FD 5 Speed Direct.

E1L: E1 = Eaton model 16244 Two Speed Rear Axle / 5.57/7.75 / 17,500 lbs. Rear Axle Capacity // L = Ford 6,000 lbs. Capacity Front Axle with P/S

22,000 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.

72 = San Jose (NorCal) Ford District Sales Office, where the original selling dealer ordered the truck from.

> Points/Condenser/Rotor/Distributor Cap same as all: 1957/73 Passenger Car/Truck V8's .. ditto 1974/75's without electronic ignition. <