I have a 1978 F150 2 wheel drive. I just replaced my leaking worn power steering gear with a new RED HEAD one. What a difference. No more wandering but after a week I developed a squeak NOT a squeal when turning the steering wheel.


I bled the system according to RED Head's directions. Had no noise, none for a week but then the squeaking starting.


So I jacked up the front and repeated the bleeding. It still squeaks.


So I replaced the return line which I believed was sucking air. Bled it again using the FORD method which can be found on this forum. Did not work. Still SQUEAKS?


It seems to be coming from the steering gear not the pump.


When I turn the steering wheel lock to lock with the engine off while bleeding I can see air bubbles coming out of the system in the reservoir. But there seems to be no end to them even after turning the wheel lock to lock with the engine off 10 times over and over and over.


So could my reservoir on the pump be leaking and sucking air?


I have not tried the bleeding method of unbolting the steering gear and turning it upright on the frame as suggested in one post on a 4X4.


Any help would be appreciated. I have great steering but incredible SQUEAKING!

 

What is squeaking???? What is "it"? Verify.

 

The squeak seems to be coming from the steering gear box not the power steering pump and happens when I turn the wheel either direction.

 

Remove the PS drive belt and take it out for a spin to see if it squeaks.

Install the PS drive belt and try again.

Does it squeak at certain angles of the wheel both left and right?

Double check fastener torques and lube the steering linkages and tie rods.

 

Tie rod ends or drag link been checked out??

 

Sounds like your still sucking air somewhere. ie bubbles

 

I replaced both hoses and the pump and then bled the system for at least 1/2 hour with the front wheels off the ground turning the wheel stop to stop 5 times with the engine off and 5 times with it over and over and over and over until I saw no more bubbles in the reservoir. It is possible to put a light over it and standing outside the truck to look between the hood and cowling and see air coming out.


I also had someone turn the steering slowly from stop to stop while I greased the King Pins top and bottom.


No squeaks and a very quiet Power Steering system.