Power steering Burst?!
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 199
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From: Virginia
Hey guys,
I have been replacing the front wheel bearings, front/rear brakes & brake lines and installing Rancho shocks and Hellwig steering stabilizer this weekend. I am about half way through the job when I noticed a HUGE leak on the driver's side in the front. I thought it was brake fluid (thought I burst a line when removing the caliper assembly - it dropped by mistake) but I think the fluid is RED and it is in front of the brake line area. I checked the brake master reservoir and it is still full. Because the fluid was red, I checked the PS reservoir and guess what? EMPTY. WTF? How does the PS system get a leak when I am not even working on that system? Any good way to tell if it is just a line or if I need a new pump etc? How hard is the job? I've never done a PS system replacement :/.
I have been replacing the front wheel bearings, front/rear brakes & brake lines and installing Rancho shocks and Hellwig steering stabilizer this weekend. I am about half way through the job when I noticed a HUGE leak on the driver's side in the front. I thought it was brake fluid (thought I burst a line when removing the caliper assembly - it dropped by mistake) but I think the fluid is RED and it is in front of the brake line area. I checked the brake master reservoir and it is still full. Because the fluid was red, I checked the PS reservoir and guess what? EMPTY. WTF? How does the PS system get a leak when I am not even working on that system? Any good way to tell if it is just a line or if I need a new pump etc? How hard is the job? I've never done a PS system replacement :/.
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Central Coast of CA
If you're moving the steering back and forth while you're doing all that front end work, without the engine running, then you pushed all that fluid out. These Ford systems, you have to have the engine running if you're going to move the steering back and forth.
Stewart
Stewart
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From: Virginia
Thanks Stewart. I did turn the engine on to turn the wheels, so not sure it was that, although there was some fluid on the reservoir cap which is strange. I posted originally during “home mechanic panick”. I had been working on the truck all day only to see something break at the end of the day ;/. I’ve had a little time to think about it now and I think it must be a bad line, which ismt too bad to fix. The leak is forward of the axle and drips right down the outter frame, right by where I think the ps lines run. I ordered new gates lines and will put them in next weekend when I finish the bearings and brakes. My wife says it could be very good luck. Maybe the line was about to brake and it let go while I was working on it vs out on the road somewhere 
. I’m hoping it isn’t leaking from the steering box but I think that is less likely, more likely a line just rotted through. also hoping it’s not a metal brake line but I don’t think it’s that because of the location and the brake reservoir is still full while the ps res is empty. If it isn’t one thing it’s another....
. I’m hoping it isn’t leaking from the steering box but I think that is less likely, more likely a line just rotted through. also hoping it’s not a metal brake line but I don’t think it’s that because of the location and the brake reservoir is still full while the ps res is empty. If it isn’t one thing it’s another....
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2018
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From: Virginia
Hang on a minute.... now that I think about it, I did NOT have the truck running, I just moved the steering wheel. Wow. I am a knucklehead. Maybe I can just refill and bleed it!!! Thanks a bunch Stewart!!!!
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Joined: Nov 2010
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From: N. IL
Might be a good time to replace hoses depending on their condition. Heck, while doing that R&R the ps pump isn’t that much more work. Then you can rest easy knowing ps is in good shape (until you need a red head steering box).
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2017
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From: TN
Redhead put me on 'the list' for the HD version of the box for the Excursion. Repeated emails have netted no response so they may be having issues.
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From: Central Coast of CA
Hopefully that's all it is and you can fix it on the cheap.
Stewart
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From: TN
If it was evacuated, best to lift the front wheels off the ground and turn it lock to lock (fluid in) first a number of times before starting it...and I'd still finish any air bleed with the wheels up.
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