Just had a not so fun time on new years eve. I was towing my 6.5k lb boat back from getting some gas (Those of you who go boating know why ). All of a sudden the truck screamed something fierce! Then no brake boost (Lucky the trailer brakes were still working as I was going downhill) Then noticed no power steering. Talk about a runaway train! As it finally got it stopped on on the side of the street, I smelled something burning and saw a little smoke coming out of the hood. You can imagine my thought process

Well long story short, I found a fried and broken fan belt, and the vacuum pump pulley wouldn't spin. Of course everyone was closed by that time, so I could get the part until the next morning. I've had vacuum pumps go bad on me before in that they don't produce a vacuum, but one seizing??? It looks like some sort of seal broke apart and I found a puddle of oil on the power steering pump cap. Now I'm, left wondering if there was some sign I missed? It seem to happen pretty suddenly, but I will admit I had some radio tunes turned up since they were playing some cool songs that time of night.

 

What a bummer, I never had one seize on me but they would stop creating vac. Once my wife asked me why I was standing up, I said I was trying to stop this thing! lol Signs? The only thing I know of is to listen at idle for a chirping noise. It sounded like I had a bird under the hood. I changed the pump and all was good again.

 

Now that you mention it I did hear a chirping sound a little while ago, but I of course mentally thought okay, I need a new fan belt or possibly a tensioner in the near future. The weird thing is I don't remember hearing it that night.

And no kidding about standing up. I was standing on the brakes trying to move the steering wheel! Felt like I could do one or the other. I don't think I could even move the wheel when she was stopped.

 

Steering is no fun at all, had to back track 10 miles to a parts store, good workout. The chirping of course could have been a pulley bearing, its hard to pinpoint it down.

 

Yikes! Glad you are okay. Consider chaging those idlers and tensioner while in there. Motorcrafts use good Japanese NTN bearings. Beware of the Torx fasteners...use 1/2" impact Torx bits to remove and they still may round out.

My vac punp is making a bit of noise here as of late. I am on the fence of grabbing a lifetime warranty Cardone from The Zone or new Motorcraft. Any thoughts guys?

 

Actually that's a good question, I got the Cardone from O'Reillys. I'm sure it's fine for now but I don't want it to seize up again. It does have the lifetime warranty but still .

 

I have churping noise!

 

I just have a spare vac pump and belt in my tool box. Peace of mind.

 

^^^^^ +1; spare belt at all times. Spare vac pump, tensioner, idlers, etc. in a tool bag for longer trips. And of course the AAA+ card.

 

I have had idlers seize, never a pump, still travel ong distance with a belt, idlers, and pump/alternator. It can make or break your journey on a sunday afternoon in the middle of no where!

 

+++++++lots & lots of other parts. To many to list.

 

I have tons of extra parts. just had them replace the pump today. I need to find a PCM now. It's sad that you need to keep so many parts on hand.

 

^^^^ Still cheaper than payments and insurance on a newer truck.

 

I'm getting very close to new truck cost. My 97 is almost a 2017 now. most of the parts are new.

 

I have had a couple freeze up,the one from the parts house will last about 30000 miles,I don't hear too good but wife said she heard something making a noise,both times I was a few miles from the house so it wasn't to bad.Drove home one time and was pulled home one time.
Not much fun.