I was changing the driver side front wheel bearing assembly and turned the steering wheel left and right without the engine running to access the bolts. When I turned the wheel to the right power steering fluid puked all over the place. The fluid appears to have come out the top of the power steering pump.

I've never had this happen on any other vehicles. Has this happened to anyone else before? I am just wondering if I have a problem or not.

 

No, you don't have a problem and if you do that again it may will puke again.

 

Thanks. That makes me feel better.

I won't have to do it again until the next time I change a wheel bearing. I put Timken in this time so I expect longer life, not sure what was installed last time but the most I got out between the both of them was 70K.

 

 

Yea, totally normal. I don't know why, but it happens all the time.

 

It's a Ford, so yeah, normal.

Since Dex III/Merc is no longer licensed by Ford, I would suggest using Mercon V in the power steering system instead, since that's the fluid recommended by Ford.

Stewart.

 

 

Just for clarity sake, for anyone that may read this in the future, in 2006 Ford stopped licensing Mercon trans fluid and had the Mercon V reformulated to meet specs for the 4R100, directing all their dealerships to discontinue using Mercon (Dextron III/Mercon) and to start using Merc V which is now licensed and certified by Ford.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post12331294

Can Dex III/Merc be found on the shelf? Yes. Is it still formulated the exact same way as it was before, when it was licensed by Ford? Who knows? I don't trust companies to not cut corners to save money so I choose to use the fluid recommended and licensed by Ford.

Stewart

 

I got that message about 6 hours too late. Oh well. Didn't drive it except to pull it around back to flush the power steering fluid that I put in it. Flushed out the system, including brake master cylinder and all is good. Even the brake pedal is firmer now.
Flushing the transmission this weekend.
Thanks for the message, it kept me from driving it with the wrong fluid in the pump.