Are all power steering pumps weak?
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4wd Low
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Are all power steering pumps weak?
I have a 2001 F-250 7.3L crew cab long bed. I purchased it new and it has always been almost impossible to turn the wheel while stopped. Is this normal? If so any recommendations on after-market power steering pumps?
If I rapidly pump the brake while pulling the wheel as hard as I can the way I'm trying to turn will help turn the wheels.
If I rapidly pump the brake while pulling the wheel as hard as I can the way I'm trying to turn will help turn the wheels.
You Keep What You Kill
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,902
Likes: 2
From: Huntersville, NC
I don't know what it is about the Ford power steering pump... I have researched and found that no one sells an aftermarket high performance pump for the modular engines.
PSC MotorSports.com offers several high performance pumps for Chevy, Suzuki, Toyota, and Jeep. However, they only offer a conversion bracket for the Ford 5.8L and 5.0L engines (see link below).
Ford - Power Steering Pumps, Kits & Components - Offroad - Motorsport Specific Products
PSC MotorSports.com offers several high performance pumps for Chevy, Suzuki, Toyota, and Jeep. However, they only offer a conversion bracket for the Ford 5.8L and 5.0L engines (see link below).
Ford - Power Steering Pumps, Kits & Components - Offroad - Motorsport Specific Products
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,446
Likes: 70
From: South Jersey
its just Ford crappy pumps, my dads 2000 diesel does it, my 2004 F350 with 5.4 does it. My buddies 1999 reg cab F250 does it, and my other buddies 2003 F250 with V10 does it. Ive heard that Redhead can drill the inlet nipple slightly bigger thats suppose to help with low speed power? Just havent seen it done yet
New User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
had same issue trying to turn 38s.. old pump would struggle and not move em unless I had some momentum, finally broke down replaced both the steering gearing gear bo
adjusted all I could out of the other for steering slop), and a new pump can turn sitting still no momentum needed..
adjusted all I could out of the other for steering slop), and a new pump can turn sitting still no momentum needed..
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 2
From: CA Bay Area
I had to do a test today as I am from old school and am avoiding turning the wheels without movement.
My PS works just fine at idle with no truck moving. I could sense a bit more restriction, but still could turn the steering wheel with 2 fingers on 2000 model.
My PS works just fine at idle with no truck moving. I could sense a bit more restriction, but still could turn the steering wheel with 2 fingers on 2000 model.
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 668
Likes: 0
Iv got a 99 with 35's. I have to rev the engine up a little when at a stop to turn the wheel. I always thought it was just from the larger tires. I would be interested in a stronger pump when this one dies.
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
My 2000 V10 F250 did the same thing, could barely turn the wheels unless I revved the engine and moved a little, even then it wasn't perfect but it did work slightly better. Backing up a trailer became extremely difficult, feathering the throttle, moving back and forth just to get the wheels turned into position. I didn't know what the problem was until I changed the ball joints!
I had lived with it that way for a long time, maybe 20k miles or more. I always assumed it was the pump getting weak or gearbox failing. Around 65K I began to notice some slight looseness in the ball joints so I changed them out. I could barely believe it the first time I drove it; it was instantly fixed. I could easily turn the steering wheel back and forth with one finger even with the truck in park, now at 106k it still steers just as easily. If you haven't done the ball joints I would seriously investigate that, they are a very common problem.
Simply jacking the truck up will not reveal the problem, mine steered easy without weight on the front axle, I had tried that a dozen times searching for a solution. I was truly shocked and pleasantly surprised to find new ball joints fixed both problems.
I had lived with it that way for a long time, maybe 20k miles or more. I always assumed it was the pump getting weak or gearbox failing. Around 65K I began to notice some slight looseness in the ball joints so I changed them out. I could barely believe it the first time I drove it; it was instantly fixed. I could easily turn the steering wheel back and forth with one finger even with the truck in park, now at 106k it still steers just as easily. If you haven't done the ball joints I would seriously investigate that, they are a very common problem.
Simply jacking the truck up will not reveal the problem, mine steered easy without weight on the front axle, I had tried that a dozen times searching for a solution. I was truly shocked and pleasantly surprised to find new ball joints fixed both problems.
Rather Be Floatin
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,468
Likes: 0
From: Marble Falls, Tx.
Do this and it should help alot.
How To: Power Steering Flush on 7.3L Powerstroke (HydroBoost) - YouTube
How To: Power Steering Flush on 7.3L Powerstroke (HydroBoost) - YouTube
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 544
Likes: 2
From: Jersey Shore Not Seaside!
The SDs start out with a disadvantage due to the high scrub radius of the front axle geometry. Adding a divergent hydroboost brake booster really kills the turning ability when motionless and braked. Things get worse with age within the hydraulic system as well as the mechanical aspects of balljoints. Adding wider tires really adds to the scrub forces too.
The pump itself has a pretty common volume and pressure output.
The pump itself has a pretty common volume and pressure output.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 668
Likes: 0
My 2000 V10 F250 did the same thing, could barely turn the wheels unless I revved the engine and moved a little, even then it wasn't perfect but it did work slightly better. Backing up a trailer became extremely difficult, feathering the throttle, moving back and forth just to get the wheels turned into position. I didn't know what the problem was until I changed the ball joints!
I had lived with it that way for a long time, maybe 20k miles or more. I always assumed it was the pump getting weak or gearbox failing. Around 65K I began to notice some slight looseness in the ball joints so I changed them out. I could barely believe it the first time I drove it; it was instantly fixed. I could easily turn the steering wheel back and forth with one finger even with the truck in park, now at 106k it still steers just as easily. If you haven't done the ball joints I would seriously investigate that, they are a very common problem.
Simply jacking the truck up will not reveal the problem, mine steered easy without weight on the front axle, I had tried that a dozen times searching for a solution. I was truly shocked and pleasantly surprised to find new ball joints fixed both problems.
I had lived with it that way for a long time, maybe 20k miles or more. I always assumed it was the pump getting weak or gearbox failing. Around 65K I began to notice some slight looseness in the ball joints so I changed them out. I could barely believe it the first time I drove it; it was instantly fixed. I could easily turn the steering wheel back and forth with one finger even with the truck in park, now at 106k it still steers just as easily. If you haven't done the ball joints I would seriously investigate that, they are a very common problem.
Simply jacking the truck up will not reveal the problem, mine steered easy without weight on the front axle, I had tried that a dozen times searching for a solution. I was truly shocked and pleasantly surprised to find new ball joints fixed both problems.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,446
Likes: 70
From: South Jersey
i did moog ball joints in my dads 2000, and flushed the system twice.my 2004 has the 5.4 and i also installed moog ball joints and flushed my system with synthetic fluid,all with no change.And both my buddies trucks are 5.4 and V10 so its no added diesel weight. If what fmtrvt said is true our pump are enough, then the geometry must really be ****ty then!