It Is Getting Tough
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 108
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From: TITUSVILLE
It Is Getting Tough
Hi all,it has been a while since I was here but never the less - I have a problem that maybe you can help with.
I have a 53 F100 with a 78 351W and a Mustang II clip and rack & pinion - the problem is the power steering almost does not work.
While on smooth ground as in the garage it works - however on the street - the truck has to be rolling to get any power assist.
Any ideas?
I have a 53 F100 with a 78 351W and a Mustang II clip and rack & pinion - the problem is the power steering almost does not work.
While on smooth ground as in the garage it works - however on the street - the truck has to be rolling to get any power assist.
Any ideas?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,489
Likes: 5
From: Valley Center, CA
It Is Getting Tough
Hey spacecoast, I would check the fluid level and if that ain't it I'd consider a rebuild of your power steering pump. Maybe once it gets warm, the fluid is bypassing worn o-rings/gaskets. Perhaps it's not the level of the surface your driving on, but the time it takes to get going that allows the fluid in the pump to warm up. Short of a rebuild, you may want to experiment with after-market leakstop additives. If it is a problem of fluid getting by a worn o-ring or gasket, then perhaps the added viscosity will show some improvements in your steering performance. I always like to do the cheapest easiest things first. Good luck, John in Sacramento
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From: TITUSVILLE
It Is Getting Tough
Thanks guys - yep I'm sure that sometime in its life it ran dry. One clue I forgot to give you is that if the RPMs are up around 1000 - it tries to work.
It has - then - a jerky - hard to turn feeling - like it would if it was out of fluid
does it sound like the pump? or ??? since it has always (since i owned it) done this - who knows?
It has - then - a jerky - hard to turn feeling - like it would if it was out of fluid
does it sound like the pump? or ??? since it has always (since i owned it) done this - who knows?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,489
Likes: 5
From: Valley Center, CA
It Is Getting Tough
I'd still do a fluid change with the anti-leak formula before throwing in the towel and buying a new pump. For a $2.00 investment and ten minutes of time, it seems like a worthy gamble. Good luck, John
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,571
Likes: 22
From: Oxford, Indiana
It Is Getting Tough
One other thing that you may consider is that since it has done this as long as you have owned the truck and the problem seems to diminish as the RPM's are increased, the installer may not have used a matched pump and rack system. The pressure relief valve in your pump may be dumping at too low of a pressure to operate the rack and pinion. Another possibility is that the power steering pump pulley is the incorrect size for the application and it isn't turning the pump fast enough to build adequate pressure at low RPM's. You may simply need a smaller pulley.
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: McAlester, OK
It Is Getting Tough
Hmm, this got me to thinking. What iif the thing leaks, but works pretty well and you disconect the belt to the pump? Would that screw the thing up?
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From: TITUSVILLE
It Is Getting Tough
Hi 41 - Due to a pot hole not seen in the rain - I replaced the rack/pinion and had the belt too loose after installation - that was even worse. After I tightened the belt it was back to "normal" - maybe that is saying PUMP?