Power steering pump issues.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,668
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From: Saskatchewan
Power steering pump issues.
Hi guys, just wondering what is the best power steering pump for my 1979 f150 351m? I've tried changing the fluid and bleeding the air from the system but it just doesn't work right. I know you guys used to recommend the cardone 20 6244 Saginaw but do they still make it? And where would it be available in Canada? Maybe I should just stick with a rebuilt unit. The truck will be seeing some 35" tires so having a strong pump is a must. Any info you guys could send my way would be appreciated. Thanks
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
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From: NorCal
79 eh?
Well, the thread below is definitely a MUST-READ for you. Earthquake68 is a Dentside hero for figuring out the issue with his system!!
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ering-fix.html
Well, the thread below is definitely a MUST-READ for you. Earthquake68 is a Dentside hero for figuring out the issue with his system!!
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ering-fix.html
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 13,143
Likes: 348
From: THIS IS SPARTA!, ...Mo.
It's not the pump, it's the box. It's bloody murder to bleed the air out. Do this procedure EXACTLY AS WRITTEN and you'll have power steering again.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ering-fix.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ering-fix.html
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,668
Likes: 13
From: Saskatchewan
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: THIS IS SPARTA!, ...Mo.
I don't know about hero, I had to put up with a lot of crap to get the answer that would work every time. I'm just glad I can help.
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Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,668
Likes: 13
From: Saskatchewan
Might not get at it this weekend. Thought while I had the box out I should replace the seals and coupler between the steering shaft and the box ( think its called a rag joint). As far as fluid goes is type F really that crucial or will mercon dex work? Also how many guys are running a inline filter on the return side? Thanks
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: THIS IS SPARTA!, ...Mo.
POWER STEERING FLUID! DO NOT USE ATF IN THE POWER STEERING!!!!!!
ATF attacks the seals and crystallizes the rubber parts. ATF is BAD NEWS to P/S systems. I also wouldn't worry about an inline filter.
ATF attacks the seals and crystallizes the rubber parts. ATF is BAD NEWS to P/S systems. I also wouldn't worry about an inline filter.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Saskatchewan
Now I'm really confused. To me power steering fluid should be right but I've been told by a few people not to use it in older ford trucks. So I checked my ford service manual and it reads for ford c11 ( which I think I have ) use ATF c1az-19582-a,c,d ( esw-m2c33-f ). Or equivalent.? For Saginaw use ESW-m2c33-F.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
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FWIW I just relaced the pump in a '78 dent with a NAPA reman. Its a Ford style pump with integral "Mag Filter" added. I also replaced the hoses and the fluid. Before pulling the old hoses I ran PS fluid through the system into a bucket. Fill the reservoir, start engine and turn the wheel. 3 reservoirs worth to flush out the old fluid.
PS worked fine after the change. I did hear some extea noise for a few hundred miles but that has stopped. I guess all or most of the air found its way into the reservoir eventually. I'll add, the fluid is still a little pink. More flushing would make it clear... 5 or 6 reservoirs full instead of 3?
I believe the Saginaw pump is better... just not available or necessary in my case. The NAPA reman worked fine.
PS worked fine after the change. I did hear some extea noise for a few hundred miles but that has stopped. I guess all or most of the air found its way into the reservoir eventually. I'll add, the fluid is still a little pink. More flushing would make it clear... 5 or 6 reservoirs full instead of 3?
I believe the Saginaw pump is better... just not available or necessary in my case. The NAPA reman worked fine.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
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I used generic power steering fluid + some Bars conditioner. My 2000 Ford ZX2 clearly states in the factory service manual to use Merc Dex in the PS unit. I personally think generic packaged power steering fluid is simply Dex tranny fluid.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
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Took me almost 2 quarts flushing to get what I would call 95% of the old fluid out.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: THIS IS SPARTA!, ...Mo.
Since the pumps were the same all the way into the '90's, I'll use P/S fluid. Too many times I've put ATF in these pumps after a new pump install (on newer vehicles) and the steering didn't even work at all. After flushing the ATF out and refilling with P/S fluid, it worked like a new one. No matter what the manual says, right on the cap it says, "Use power steering fluid only".
P/S fluid ALWAYS works like it should. SOMETIMES, ATF doesn't work. That's good enough odds for me to just use P/S fluid.
Bottom line is, This is what I found works every time. If you find something else that works, great! With my truck, this is the ONLY thing that has worked. In the 8 months I was messing with my truck, I tried, straight 10W oil, ATF, P/S fluid and straight 30W oil. P/S fluid with this bleeding process was the only way I could get my truck to steer.
P/S fluid ALWAYS works like it should. SOMETIMES, ATF doesn't work. That's good enough odds for me to just use P/S fluid.
Bottom line is, This is what I found works every time. If you find something else that works, great! With my truck, this is the ONLY thing that has worked. In the 8 months I was messing with my truck, I tried, straight 10W oil, ATF, P/S fluid and straight 30W oil. P/S fluid with this bleeding process was the only way I could get my truck to steer.