Power Steering
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Power Steering
'90 F-250HD 4x 460/auto---
After leaving the local "Jiffy Lube" for an oil change, I made my first right turn at an intersection about a mile away. I nearly crashed as the power steering failed and I almost went into the opposing lanes. Turning to the left is fine... turning to the left requires two hands and an extra person
...
Question: Is the power steering pump to blame? Why does it fail only when turning right? Thanks for your help!!
After leaving the local "Jiffy Lube" for an oil change, I made my first right turn at an intersection about a mile away. I nearly crashed as the power steering failed and I almost went into the opposing lanes. Turning to the left is fine... turning to the left requires two hands and an extra person
...Question: Is the power steering pump to blame? Why does it fail only when turning right? Thanks for your help!!
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 335
Likes: 0
From: LeClaire IA
Power Steering
is there any clunking sounds can you hear the power steering pump working. i have seen a gernaded front axle u-joint cause a problem of being unable to turn the wheel one direction. let us know. i dont think the pump could do this but i could be wrong.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Power Steering
No noise other than the power steering pump working. As I mentioned... it was working one minute, then after the oil change, it wasn't. I'm sure the oil change had nothing to do with it... just a point of reference. The wheel CAN turn to the right, it just takes a lot of muscle 
... as if the pump was disconnected. I syphoned out some of the fluid thru the reservior and replaced it with fresh fluid, but no change at all. 
... as if the pump was disconnected. I syphoned out some of the fluid thru the reservior and replaced it with fresh fluid, but no change at all. 
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 3
From: Bismarck, ND
Power Steering
Are you sure something wasn't bent or otherwise displaced when they put your truck on the rack? It sounds like something is binding when you try to turn in the one direction. It can be coincidental, and something inside the steering box, but have you considered that your truck may have slipped off the rack or had the rack improperly raised as to bend a sway bar, steering linkage, or otherwise? Just a couple of thoughts. Best of luck in getting it fixed!
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 416
Likes: 0
Power Steering
Be aware of "jiffy lube" places. They sometimes can cause more problems than you would care to know about. I agree that you should carefully go over your front end for problems. I would also check to see what kind of oil is in your PS pump, it should be ATF. My son-in -law had no end of problems after taking his truck to a "quickie lube" type outlet. Barely pubecsent kids pretending to be technicians... gimmie a break! Do your own oil changes, they are not that hard and you get to know your truck better too.
Trending Topics
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Power Steering
I'm gonna lift the front end and have a look see at all the steering linkage in just a few minutes. I'm wondering if the steering stabilizer has gone bad? Or maybe they DID bend something... well I'll peek and post back... BTW... I almost always do my own oil changes and other maintenance... this one was just for convenience as I was leaving town immedialty after the service.
Thanks for all the advice, boys!
Thanks for all the advice, boys!
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Power Steering
OK... Lifted the front end on jack stands and turned the wheel lock to lock... smooth as a hot knife thru butter. No problem whatsoever going lock to lock. Put her back on the ground and the same problem is back... can't get it to turn to the right without a bunch of strength... ... any other clues?
... any other clues?
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Power Steering
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 11-Feb-02 AT 07:19 PM (EST)]Thanks... If that is the problem, is it easy to rebuild these things or should I just get a new one? I'm running 35" BFG's... This truck has 155,000 miles on it and is a "keeper" for me.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 3
From: Bismarck, ND
Power Steering
I'd vote for a remanufactured box, if that is your problem. They sell for around $199.00 w/ exchange for F150's; I wouldn't think a '90 F250 would be too much different as far as price.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Power Steering
Thats exactly my plan. Going to get a new pump and gear box from AGR. Read alot about them and they are highly touted by my local 4wheel Parts Wholesalers Store. Not exactly cheap, but since this truck isa a keeper, it gets all the best