Sigh... Something in the steering exploded
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
Sigh... Something in the steering exploded
You guessed it, on the way back from Montana. Fortunately it was only 50 miles from home.
I was on the freeway when the A/C just kinda quit and the steering got way hard. I figured the belt had broken.
Pulled into a carwash to clean off the trailer and hey look, the belt just slipped off. But why? And why is there power steering fluid all over under the hood?
The only clue we have as to which part, pump or gearbox, exploded was a baseball-sized O-ring my mom (who was driving behind) saw bounce out from under the truck while we were driving.
What I do know is the pump is toast. When I turn it, it feels like stripped gear teeth grinding against a seized gear. What I don't know is where all the fluid and the O-ring came from. I'm really hoping not the gearbox.
Thanks... I'll start tearing into things on Monday.
I was on the freeway when the A/C just kinda quit and the steering got way hard. I figured the belt had broken.
Pulled into a carwash to clean off the trailer and hey look, the belt just slipped off. But why? And why is there power steering fluid all over under the hood?
The only clue we have as to which part, pump or gearbox, exploded was a baseball-sized O-ring my mom (who was driving behind) saw bounce out from under the truck while we were driving.
What I do know is the pump is toast. When I turn it, it feels like stripped gear teeth grinding against a seized gear. What I don't know is where all the fluid and the O-ring came from. I'm really hoping not the gearbox.
Thanks... I'll start tearing into things on Monday.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,728
Likes: 8
From: Cleveland, TN
The power steering fluid all over the place is normal when steering with the engine off or in your case the belt off. Any o rings big enough to see fall out from behind won't be from the steering system, your pump "may" be shot and threw the belt, not being able to see it or feel it I can't say if it is. I really doubt you damaged the steering gear.
Good luck with it.
Good luck with it.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,328
Likes: 292
From: Laramie, WY
When you turn the steering wheel (or the front tires with the truck on a hoist) without the pump running (engine running) steering fluid pushes out the resovior cap with some pressure. I've seen it several times on many vehicles. Baseball sized o-ring? Kinda guessing it was a fray from the belt, is the belt still perfect?
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
Ok. Thanks guys, that is a relief to hear. The belt was in "used" condition to begin with, so I couldn't really tell how much damage had been done, but I did see some rubber caught in the tensioner pulley.
Now where would you recommend getting a replacement pump?
Now where would you recommend getting a replacement pump?
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
I've still got my money on the pump itself, unless it's supposed to feel like grinding gears when you turn it by hand?
Trending Topics
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 8,843
Likes: 27
From: Eastern Ky
Sounds like the O-ring/gasket that mates the pump to the resevoir fell out.....And that would account for a crapload of fluid everywhere...
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
