Power Steering Flush

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Nov 20, 2011 | 10:07 AM

chrison600

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Joined: Mar 2003

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Power Steering Flush

Hi all,

I've done a power steering flush before on another vehicle, and want to do the X. The basics I suppose are the same: disconnect the return hose, cycle the starter to pump the fluid through, backfill with fresh until you see fresh coming out of the return hose.

Ok?

A couple of questions:

Is there an oring on the return hose fitting?

What is the best way to prevent the engine from firing (7.3 PSD)?

Thanks!

Chris

Nov 20, 2011 | 10:30 AM

jh818

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Joined: Jul 2009

Posts: 2,885

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From: Chino, California

I believe someone from the Super Duty/Heavy Duty forum had a thread on this very subject and also posted a video doing it.

Here is the link...

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ush-video.html

Nov 20, 2011 | 08:41 PM

chrison600

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Do you know why he disconnected the return hose at the brake booster and not the PS pump? Was it simply because of where he was going to locate the fluid container? I'm thinking about pulling the hose at the pump and using a 3/8" splice running clear hose down to a drain pan.

Also - Why does the pump not circulate unless the steering or brakes are cycled? When I flushed my daughter's BMW, if the engine caught, I couldn't shut it off fast enough to keep the reservoir from being drained. It moved fluid really quickly...??

Chris

Nov 20, 2011 | 11:29 PM

A/Ox4

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Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 12,467

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From: Missouri

Quote:

Originally Posted by jh818

I believe someone from the Super Duty/Heavy Duty forum had a thread on this very subject and also posted a video doing it.

Here is the link...

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ush-video.html

Thanks for sharing that with him!

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrison600

Do you know why he disconnected the return hose at the brake booster and not the PS pump?

I disconnected the line at the Hydro-Boost unit per Ford instructions in the workshop manuals. I am not sure why, but for every configuration of power steering systems that were available at the time, they ALL say remove the return fitting on the booster unit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrison600

I'm thinking about pulling the hose at the pump and using a 3/8" splice running clear hose down to a drain pan.

That might work, but then you may run into issues with fluid also coming out of the pump. The line from the reservoir is simply a gravity fed line into the pump, which uses fluid as needed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrison600

Also - Why does the pump not circulate unless the steering or brakes are cycled? When I flushed my daughter's BMW, if the engine caught, I couldn't shut it off fast enough to keep the reservoir from being drained. It moved fluid really quickly...??

As for this, I am not exactly sure. To me its seems like there are less moving parts moving less often; a better design IMO.
As a note, more fluid was flushed from brakes than steering. You should avoid steering from stop to stop too quickly, as this is reported to cause damage to the steering stabilizer.
Also, per Ford, do not leave the steering at full stop for longer than 3-4 seconds or damage to the PS pump may occur.

Thank you for watching my video and asking follow up questions.