Steering Pump Leak
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 145
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From: Dothan, Alabama
Steering Pump Leak
I have a 78 f150 and my steering pump has a small leak behind the pulley from what I can tell. I dont know if I should replace the pump or buy a seal kit for the pump. I saw one listed in LMC for a reasonable price but I have never rebuilt a p/s pump. Is it hard or should I just buy a new pump??? My truck does not have stock tires on it now. I recently put 31 X 10.50's on it if that matters.
Or I have also seen the lucas power steering leak stuff.. Is that worth a try?? Im sure that is just a quick fix...
Or I have also seen the lucas power steering leak stuff.. Is that worth a try?? Im sure that is just a quick fix...
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
1978: Ford changed the P/S pump on everything except Econolines.
The seal kit used with this pump (has a plastic reservoir) is different than the seal kit used w/the 1965/77 pump (has a steel reservoir).
E1AZ-3B584-A .. P/S Pump Seal Kit-Use with 1978 and later Passenger Car / F100/350 / Bronco P/S pumps that have the plastic reservoir / Available from Ford.
MSRP: $10.40 // FTE sponsor PARTSGUYED.COM price: $7.49.
The P/S pulley has to be pressed off/on.
Plastic reservoir P/S pump: The P/S return hose clamps onto a nipple on the pump. The P/S pressure hose pump end has a straight tube with an O-Ring on it...attaches to the pump with a qwik dis-connect fitting.
If the O-Ring has hardened up, it will be necessary to replace it. Otherwise you will prolly have P/S fluid seeping from the fitting when you re-attach the hose
The seal kit used with this pump (has a plastic reservoir) is different than the seal kit used w/the 1965/77 pump (has a steel reservoir).
E1AZ-3B584-A .. P/S Pump Seal Kit-Use with 1978 and later Passenger Car / F100/350 / Bronco P/S pumps that have the plastic reservoir / Available from Ford.
MSRP: $10.40 // FTE sponsor PARTSGUYED.COM price: $7.49.
The P/S pulley has to be pressed off/on.
Plastic reservoir P/S pump: The P/S return hose clamps onto a nipple on the pump. The P/S pressure hose pump end has a straight tube with an O-Ring on it...attaches to the pump with a qwik dis-connect fitting.
If the O-Ring has hardened up, it will be necessary to replace it. Otherwise you will prolly have P/S fluid seeping from the fitting when you re-attach the hose
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Dothan, Alabama
The only place that I have found the pump to leak is directly behind the pulley. So to do a complete seal kit replacement for this pump I have to get a press to remove the pulley and put the pulley back on? The quick dis-connect o-ring does it come with the seal kit? Would it be wise to replace the pressure hose as well? It looks like its in decent condition..
I have had the truck for approx 6 months and I have never had to put fluid in the p/s except when I topped it off when I purchased the truck. So the leak is not bad.
As far as I can tell it does not make any noise.
I have also heard of people refer to a saginaw pump???
I am kinda conflicted on what to do...buy the seal kit and have to get someone to get the pulley off because I do not have a press...and worry about the life of the pump due to unknown age..I do not know if the pump has been replaced prior to me...or buy a new pump...and not worry about it later...
Also I have never rebuilt/sealed a existing pump so I do not know the difficulty level of the job...
Suggestions???
I have had the truck for approx 6 months and I have never had to put fluid in the p/s except when I topped it off when I purchased the truck. So the leak is not bad.
As far as I can tell it does not make any noise.
I have also heard of people refer to a saginaw pump???
I am kinda conflicted on what to do...buy the seal kit and have to get someone to get the pulley off because I do not have a press...and worry about the life of the pump due to unknown age..I do not know if the pump has been replaced prior to me...or buy a new pump...and not worry about it later...
Also I have never rebuilt/sealed a existing pump so I do not know the difficulty level of the job...
Suggestions???
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
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From: Lost
Well, if you haven't had to add fluid, it can't be leaking too bad.
As for getting the pulley off/on, you can rent a tool for doing this at most auto parts stores. BTW, you'll most likely have to do this even if you buy a new or reman pump, since they typically don't include the pulley, as their were far too many different pullies used on various models that use the same pump.
As for getting the pulley off/on, you can rent a tool for doing this at most auto parts stores. BTW, you'll most likely have to do this even if you buy a new or reman pump, since they typically don't include the pulley, as their were far too many different pullies used on various models that use the same pump.
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Bristow, VA
The other option not mentioned is ... Salvage yard and pull one from an old truck. I would still just rebuild it, if it is your daily driver.
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Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Austin, TX
This is the easy way, but I did want to mention that remanufacturered power steering pumps are very cheap. I don't remember how much mine cost, but I replaced the one in my '79 and couldn't believe how little it cost. It would be worth comparing the difference between the cost of a rebuild kit, and a remanufactured pump after the core charge is removed.
The only thing that took some time is getting that interference-fit pulley off, as it took some coaxing. Just make sure you put it on in the correct direction.
I wouldn't mess with any sort of stop-leak stuff. I did try the Lucas stuff in my old LTD as a last-ditch effort to avoid replacing the steering gear with no success. Maybe a pump would handle it differently, but in general it's wise to avoid those type products.
The only thing that took some time is getting that interference-fit pulley off, as it took some coaxing. Just make sure you put it on in the correct direction.
I wouldn't mess with any sort of stop-leak stuff. I did try the Lucas stuff in my old LTD as a last-ditch effort to avoid replacing the steering gear with no success. Maybe a pump would handle it differently, but in general it's wise to avoid those type products.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
The Saginaw P/S pump was used on 1975 and later Econolines, and on 1970's FoMoCo Passenger Cars with hydroboost.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,326
Likes: 48
From: Middle TN
Saginaw replacement is about $60 at Advance auto or Auto Zone, Order a Saginaw 20-6244 it is a direct bolt on replacement. Puts out more power, does not whine or leak with a metal case.
You do have to swap pulleys but you can rent the pulley puller, takes 10 min.
This is one of the best upgrades for your 78-79 power steering.
When you install a new pump, pour some fluid in it and work the pulley by hand to make sure the pump does not dry start.
Jack the front wheels off the ground, start the engine and turn the steering all the way to the right and then to the left several times to work the all the air out of the system.
This would also be a good time to install new lines.
You do have to swap pulleys but you can rent the pulley puller, takes 10 min.
This is one of the best upgrades for your 78-79 power steering.
When you install a new pump, pour some fluid in it and work the pulley by hand to make sure the pump does not dry start.
Jack the front wheels off the ground, start the engine and turn the steering all the way to the right and then to the left several times to work the all the air out of the system.
This would also be a good time to install new lines.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Dothan, Alabama
thanks guys...I think Im going to go with the saginaw pump if its only $60. and it has the metal case. plus it puts out more power??...that is almost a no brainer then..I was thinking that a p/s pump was gonna run me around $100
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Dothan, Alabama
Well I went around to the major auto replacement stores here in town and no one has a Saginaw pump....I can get one but would take a week. But the guy at the store brought up a good point. The pump in it is the original.. So would that not make it more valuable??? So I'm going to get a seal kit and pressure hose and return hose...
The Saginaw pump was gonna be $50, plus the pressure hose $23 and return hose $5. then add the new p/s fluid....so about $90
Seal kit $15, pressure hose $23 and return hose $5 and the fluid...about $50...
going the cheaper route..
The Saginaw pump was gonna be $50, plus the pressure hose $23 and return hose $5. then add the new p/s fluid....so about $90
Seal kit $15, pressure hose $23 and return hose $5 and the fluid...about $50...
going the cheaper route..
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,374
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From: Palm Bay, Florida
Put in about a TABLESPOON of brake fluid, I learned this years ago, have done it MANY times on my Ford products, and have bought MANY (as much as 5) years of leak free driving.........do not put more than 1 TABLESPOON of brake fluid in, and only do it ONCE, if it leaks again, new seals are required.