I have a 1970 4x4 F250. As most of you know, 4x4 bumps came with manual steering only. Somewhere along the line, somebody added power assist steering to mine ( see photos). I'd like to add a steering stabilizer but the ones I've pulled up online for a 1970 4x4 say they are not compatible with power steering slave cylinders.

Does anybody know of a steering stabilizer that will fit my truck? Does one for a 1973-1977 with power steering fit it.

#2 where would I get an OEM power steering pump to replace mine?

#3 Finally, and this might be a cry for help from NumberDummy, what is the source and part numbers for upper and lower steering column bearings (the ones between the steering column

u-joint and the steering wheel)? Again, see photos.

Thanks in advance!!
I'm assuming this is my power steering slave cylinder. Just wondering which aftermarket steering stabilizer would work with this power assist steering set up?




Power steering pump looking to replace with an OEM unit.




This I believe is the lower steering column bearing. I've been told that there is an upper bearing too behind the firewall. I'd like to know where I can order replacement bearings and their part numbers. Thx!

 

1. Your assisted PS is off a 73-77 so check to see if anyone has a stabilizer for those years. My 76 F-250 CC has the assisted PS the same as yours but has no stabilizer.
2. IIRC from UltraRanger, you can use any FE PS pump up to 76. Just get a remanufactured pump from any auto parts store, or you can get one from Redhead steering, or Benchworks steering.
If your ram is no good, you might want to invest in a 77.5-79 F-250 PS box as a replacement. but they could be spendy, and considered unobtainium. Better yet would be the kit from Benchworks Steering.

 

The Ford/Thompson "pencil neck" pump need not be specifically from an FE. That pump was used widely across the FoMoCo brands.

It is better however it come from a heavy vehicle so the valving is correct. However, a replacement pump is available from your local parts store. Some places even offer a lifetime guarantee so shop wisely.

 

Why do you need a steering stabilizer in the first place.

If your getting shaking in you steering wheel or is your front end shaking.
You better jack it up and inspect the whole axle shake the tires up & down check for lose wheel bearing adjustment and so on.
I bought one in 1978 when, I first got my truck. Still manual to this day.

Upon farther inspection of my front end. I found that the upper & lower king pins & bearing were bad & dry with out any lubricant on them. Then found the inner short axle u=joints both bad.

Then found the steering mid shaft u-joint bad and it's lower end of the mid shaft the bell slip coupler was bad.

Then found the bent right hub spindle and it still had a shimmy. And next was a bent front drive line. I replaced the steering column tube put in new bearing.

Removed the stabilizer and have never put one back on even with wide tall tires off roading. I rebuilt the 3000lbs the close knuckle drum axle only to pull it out a yr later, after finding and rebuilding a disc brake axle 3500lb HD axle.

All because no new axle-shaft an no after-market made.

But the disc brake axle theirs all kinds of new aftermarket stuff for the disc axles

If ya don't know how to lube the inner axle u-joints or the upper & lower king pins is by locking the hubs 6 months or every 1000 miles. Each closed knuckle fills haft way with 90wt gear oil that's what the pipe plug is for on the back side of the knuckle. If it runs out the wiper seals then fill with STP
Orich

 

Thanks! This is extremely helpful.

 

Good to know that power steering pumps are readily available. I'll take your advice and make sure it's appropriate for a heavy vehicle. Thanks!

 

Thanks Orich. I've taken your advice to heart. I've gone through the front end, replacing a tie rod, the power steering control valve, drag link and steering box. The steering column and associated u-joints show no wear. Nevertheless, there is a tiny bit of bump steer that I'd like to eliminate, thus the steering stabilizer. I want to replace the steering column bearings first as there is noticeable slop with those. Do you have any ideas where I should order those bearings from? Thanks again!

ps And per your advice, I lock my hubs periodically.

 

DC has them bearings & dust boots or did, that lower clamp on the shaft is what adjust the shaft up & down end play in the wheel.

But the rubber dust boot seal dry rots then the lube dry's up from the dust.

That lower bearing only rest up into that flange that's tick welded into place.

To adjust the shaft end play I wedged a 2x2x 22?" wood stack into the steering wheel & up to like the headliner trim to hold it down as the upper part of the bearing has a strong spring that has to be held down while you slide the lower shaft clamp up and tighten it.

It's a one man operation if no helper.
Orich

 

1967/72 F100/250 4WD:

C3DZ-3517-A .. Upper Steering Column Bearing, available from Ford and repro parts sellers.

F23Z-3517-B (replaced C3AZ-3517-A; C7SZ-3517-D; D0AZ-3517-A; E1FZ-3517-B) .. Lower Steering Column Bearing, available from Ford and repro parts sellers.

Repro parts sellers could have the lower bearing listed under any of these part numbers.
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Ford/Thompson 'pencil neck' P/S pump has a steel reservoir, the P/S pressure hose threads onto the pump:

1967/77 F100/350; 1967/77 misc Passenger Cars, 1969/74 Econoline, 1973/77 Bronco.
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TWO different types of Power Assist P/S, the parts do not interchange!

Garrison Power Assist: 1973/75 F100 4WD; 1975 F150 4WD / 1973 F250 4WD; 1974 F250 4WD before serial number T80,001.

Bendix Power Assist: 1974 F250 4WD from serial number T80,001; 1975/77 F250 4WD

Look at the two parts catalog pics of the control valve to determine which type your truck has.

Upper pic: Garrison / Lower pic: Bendix

 

The Thompson PS pump was produced from 1965-1977. It had a stamped steel reservoir housing. In '78, Ford went to the CII (C-2) PS pump (plastic reservoir housing).

The filler neck/dipstick tube was a wide mouth design on the early Thompson pump in '65 and '66. It didn't go to the skinny filler tube ('pencil neck') design until 1967 ('67-'77).

There was also a Thompson 'pencil neck' PS pump available on the the '77 Lincoln Versailles that had two fluid return ports on it. This could be used if a person was installing hydroboost brakes.

The mid-to-late '90s Super Duty trucks had a C-2 pump with two return ports for hydroboost brakes as well.

 

There was different output pressure valving for the Thompson pumps. As you said, a PS pump installed on a heavy vehicle would have greater pressure output than a pump put on a lighter vehicle. Unfortunately, even with Ford original parts, there's no markings or codes on the pressure valves inside the pumps to identify what its pressure output rating is.

Any rebuilt pump you get from the parts stores may have a pressure valve rating completely different from what it was when the pump was installed on a particular vehicle when it was new. I've never sat down to compare parts store PS pump part numbers to see if they're different or if they're all the same. If they are all the same part number, they are probably being built by rebuilders with a standard rebuild kit and are possibly all at the same pressure rating.

 

I wonder how the assembly line workers knew which one to put on at the engine plant?

 

Thanks Bill! Great info on the steering column bearings and power steering control valves, with schematics to boot.

 

Anyone know of a good mechanic that has experience with these Highboy steering issues around the greater Houston area? I bought a '76 Highboy a few months ago and have gone through a lot on it.....I have everything just as I want it except for the steering play.

I have read these forum posts exhaustively and just don't have the talent to isolate the problem. Instead of spending thousands buying gear boxes, control valves, ram assist cylinders, steering columns, or replacing tons of unnecessary suspension components, I'd rather take it to someone that can diagnose the problem. I have tried to isolate the problem and am just not sure. Thanks in advance.

 

Ask this question in the 1973/79 F100 and larger truck forum, power assist wasn't available until 1973.