1979 f150 power steering problems
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2016
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1979 f150 power steering problems
I just had a mechanic replace my power steering pump. I drove it approximately 80miles, 50 on interstate 30ish around town. Drove 4 more miles 3 days later and steering appeared to have play and then was slightly harder to steer. When I got back home fluid was pouring onto my driveway. I checked fluid level and it was level with top of neck. Next day I removed enough fluid to make it full cold. Started it ran 10 minutes. Power steering worked somewhat turning to the right but was spongey. I had now power steering to the left. The fluid leaked again and also filled to top of filler spout. I did not add any fluid. My truck has 2 inch lift with 33" super swamper tires. Has anybody else had this problem?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,086
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From: Tennessee
sounds like the power steering pump pressure plate is inverted -or- the rack piston seals are bad in your steering gear box normally caused by the bypass galley being plugged.
Turn your truck on and remove the power steering pump filler cap.
You should see a constant flow of fluid recirculating in the housing.
If its gushing out of the filler neck than the typically lower pressure return into the reservoir is at high pressure meaning your steering box seals are busted and your bypass galley is plugged causing high volume at high pressure.
If its just filling up the reservoir and spilling out then typically its a pump issue, ie; pressure plate inverted, high pressure passage blocked causing blowback into the reservoir.
Turn your truck on and remove the power steering pump filler cap.
You should see a constant flow of fluid recirculating in the housing.
If its gushing out of the filler neck than the typically lower pressure return into the reservoir is at high pressure meaning your steering box seals are busted and your bypass galley is plugged causing high volume at high pressure.
If its just filling up the reservoir and spilling out then typically its a pump issue, ie; pressure plate inverted, high pressure passage blocked causing blowback into the reservoir.
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2016
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Now this is why I posted on here. My mechanic thinks the new pump just went bad. Would the inversion happened when new pump installed? Also I forgot to mention when I turn steering wheel to the right there's a popping noise at steering wheel. It has an undersized 3 spoke wheel with a chrome horn cap. The horn cap moves whenever it pops.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 464
From: Tennessee
No, it happens when a rookie rebuilds a power steering pump, the popping could be high pressure fluid reaching your steering gear in spurts supporting a bad pump or blockage in high pressure lines etc. Always add a filter to the low pressure return line to the power steering pump.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 464
From: Tennessee
use power steering fluid. Modern ATF (Merc, DEX etc) has friction adapters/additives, detergents etc. in them that can wreak havoc on these older style vane pumps.
Just to clarify: Type F ATF and Power steering fluid (PSF) are very similar. Type F ATF has a higher viscosity (~20w) than PSF (~7.5w) but they are both hydraulic fluids.
Just to clarify: Type F ATF and Power steering fluid (PSF) are very similar. Type F ATF has a higher viscosity (~20w) than PSF (~7.5w) but they are both hydraulic fluids.
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Tuned
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2016
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OK the power steering pump was bad, and the mechanic replaced it under warranty. I drove it 55 miles and did fine. I started it this morning and noticed a leak. The leak appears to be coming from the end of the steering column where it bolts together.
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