I replaced the power steering pump on my 2000 f250 Power stroke. I bled the lines, and when the wheels are on the ground, I have no steering. When I raise the wheels off the ground, I have no problems turning stop to stop. Help, please.

 

Sounds like you have an air pocket

 

Did you turn the steering wheel stop to stop several times to get the air out?

 

I turned the steering wheel stop to stop about a 100 times, I had also removed the fluid from the pump three times. I turned from stop to stop with ease with the wheels off the ground. As soon as I lower the wheels to the ground, I lose steering again. Thank you.

 

What was the reason you replaced the PS pump? I have seen that done more than once when it wasn't the actual problem. You could have a bad steering box, a bad hose that collapses internally under pressure, a bad hydroboost, or if the original problem was indeed the pump (it may have been) you could have received a bad replacement pump, a not to all uncommon problem.

 

When I flushed the power steering pump out, I did it until I had clean fluid in the pump, I went through about two quarts of fluid. If the lines were collapsed, would I have been able to do that? Thank you.

 

Yes you could have flushed it with bad lines. The pressure line if bad can collapse when it builds pressure, when flushing you may not have enough pressure to cause the problem. A bad hose can be very difficult to find, at the age of your truck I would just replace it, that may or may not fix it, but age wise your are approaching it's working life span. The only way to know for sure if you have enough pressure is to put a PS pressure tester on it It is basically a "T" fitting with a fixed orifice in it and a pressure gauge off the side of the T. I don't know if any of the common parts houses have one you could rent or not, I got mine when I worked for a Dodge dealer 40 years ago. If you search online you will find several to choose from.

 

Thank you, I will replace lines next.

 

Did you happen to use the same pulley on the powe steering pump? If so make sure it isn't slipping. Mark the pulley and shaft and see if they line up after testing the steering. Use white paint or white finger nail polish.

 

I have a 2005 f250 (lifted with 12" wide wheels, all new ball joints) when its lifted the steering is very good. when I put it down its nearly impossible until you start rolling then your able to steer almost effortlessly. I put a new gear box on 4 years ago and not long ago I took it in for a pump. The installed a new aftermarket from XL parts and it was worse. they swapped it out and still bad but in a different way, it was noisy. So I told them why weren't they using Motocraft and they went to the dealer to get one and when they installed it my truck was identical to the way I brought it in there, meaning it wasn't the pumps problem anyway. so now that we have replaced everything except hydroboost I'm thinking my gearbox bay be out again. I'm not sure if this helps you but the steering on these truck seem to have been designed by someone who doesn't drive them or hates ford and needed a job..