Steering gearbox problem?
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 137
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From: Wenatchee, WA
Steering gearbox problem?
My steering is gone for the most part. 1979 ford f150 with worm gear box. If i turn the wheel it goes easy, hard, easy, hard, easy hard. all the way from lock to lock. Every time it gets hard the pump whines really hard. I just replaced the pump so i know its not that. Any ideas? Thanks
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,083
Likes: 4
From: Victoria , BC
I'm betting it's air in the ps fluid and needs to be bled. Put the front end on jack stands , start truck and cycle it back and fourth lock to lock. Shut it off and look at ps fluid. It should not be foamy at all!! With no bubbles.
Do you have any leaks in the system? Lines , box? If so fix it right away. Its nearly impossible to bleed system as it will keep taking in air..
Do you have any leaks in the system? Lines , box? If so fix it right away. Its nearly impossible to bleed system as it will keep taking in air..
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 783
From: Simi Valley, CA
My steering is gone for the most part. 1979 ford f150 with Ford integral P/S. If i turn the wheel it goes easy, hard, easy, hard, easy hard. all the way from lock to lock. Every time it gets hard the pump whines really hard. I just replaced the pump so i know its not that. Any ideas? Thanks
The pump is complaining because when the spool valve is history, it has to work harder.
You have two choices: Go to a parts store, buy a so-called rebuilt gearbox, that is really nothing more than a resealed gearbox.
All Ford integral P/S gearboxes have a built in FLAW. There are no bearings on the sector shaft, so before too long, fluid begins leaking from this area.
redheadsteeringgears.com (located in Seattle WA) takes the housing, machines it, installs the needle bearing that Ford left out...on purpose,...so they could sell a gazillion seal kits.
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Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: The Shenandoah Valley
If it is the gear box, Red-Head Steering Gears, Inc in Seattle, Wa. is hands down, the best source for replacement.
Steering Gears | Steering Gearbox | Rack and Pinion | Red-Head Steering Gears, Inc.
Steering Gears | Steering Gearbox | Rack and Pinion | Red-Head Steering Gears, Inc.
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 137
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From: Wenatchee, WA
Alright, It seems i'm getting several different ideas so i'm going to start by putting it on a stands and turning the wheel with the engine off. If its still hard to turn its probably the gearbox. If thats the case I have a question for you 73 ford guy. I know you have the sagnaw/hydro assist steering. And I am working on getting a D60 front axle. My question is, if I get the sagnaw pump and make it hydro assist can I use it on my 44 until I get my D60? Cause I dont really want to buy a new gearbox and then buy the sagnaw a couple months down the road when i get my d60.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,083
Likes: 4
From: Victoria , BC
My powersteering fluid took a couple days of bleeding the system to get all the air out. Start it, cycle it then let it sit overnite and let the bubbles settle. Do again next day.
As for pump yeah it's just mounted on your motor so it will work for w/e axle.
Best bet is go to a wrecker and find one from an econoline van. Take the whole bracket and you may have to modify it. What motor do you have. Ask around and see what bracket guys used.
When you go with hydro assist ram again it's interchangeable between axles you just need to weld new tabs to the d60.
As for ram this one works fine for me..
Surplus Center - 1.5X8X1 DA HYD CYL SWIVEL EYES
Tapping the steering box might be tricky. What box do you have?
As for pump yeah it's just mounted on your motor so it will work for w/e axle.
Best bet is go to a wrecker and find one from an econoline van. Take the whole bracket and you may have to modify it. What motor do you have. Ask around and see what bracket guys used.
When you go with hydro assist ram again it's interchangeable between axles you just need to weld new tabs to the d60.
As for ram this one works fine for me..
Surplus Center - 1.5X8X1 DA HYD CYL SWIVEL EYES
Tapping the steering box might be tricky. What box do you have?
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,083
Likes: 4
From: Victoria , BC
When you get a Saginaw pump then do this
powersteering
After I did that to mine I pressure tested it with a Kent Moore gauge I bought and it was bang on at 1500psi of pressure the same as those fancy expensive
" super pumps"
powersteering
After I did that to mine I pressure tested it with a Kent Moore gauge I bought and it was bang on at 1500psi of pressure the same as those fancy expensive
" super pumps"
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 783
From: Simi Valley, CA
You have Ford integral P/S, because it was the only P/S system that FoMoCo offered for your truck.
There are different types/styles because Ford P/S was used in myriad 1965/2002 FoMoCo Passenger Cars, various years of: F100/350 2WD/4WD's, Bronco's, Rangers, Bronco II's, Explorers, Expeditions and etc.
Ford P/S was introduced in: 1969 F100/250 2WD's and F350's from # D96,001 / 1975 Bronco's / 1976 F100/150 4WD's / 1977 F250 4WD's from serial # Y20,001/ 1979 F350 4WD's (first year F350's were available with 4WD).
1973/75 F100 & 1975 F150 4WD's, 1973/76 F250 4WD's & 1977 F250 4WD's before serial # Y20,001 used Power Assist P/S, which has a separate control valve and ram cylinder.
The manual gearbox is used, because it has nothng to do with Power Assist. There were two different types, Garrison and Bendix...the parts do not interchange.
Be thankful you do not have Power Assist, because replacement parts are slim and none, expensive when you find them. Lotsa luck finding a Bendix control valve seal kit.