I have a 78 f-150 4x4 and i cant decide if my power steering gear box is bad or power steering pump? It worked for about a week. I was told the power steering pump was new when i bought the truck but hasnt worked but for that one week randomly. Any thoughts? There is alot of slop in the steering wheel.

 

Check to see if you have lost fluid, and if so, from where. If it is just a loose or cracked line- not too bad. If it's from the resevoir,- that's worse. If it is from the box,- worse yet. Have someone turn the wheel back and forth while you watch the front end to see if you can determine where the "slop" is. steering column joint? Steering box? Pitman arm? Track bar? Rod ends? How does it behave. Just no power? does it have power in one direction but not the other? Noises? All of this info will help you (and us) diagnose your problem.

 

Im am the owner of the truck and accidentally put the post under a friends account, i will do some of the stuff you told to check and post back with info.