Steering Getting VERY Difficult
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,074
Likes: 91
From: DFW, Texas
I've got 4500 hard towing miles on my box from West Texas Off-road and zero issues.
Thread Starter
|
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,590
Likes: 382
From: Texas
Not at all sir!
I happened to be outside cleaning the yard and debris from Florence when Byron asked me about my steering work experiences.
I told him the following (paraphrasing)...
1. I would get a gallon of Valvoline synthetic ATF from Autozone for ~$7.
2. Raise the front end of the truck and flush the fluid system until he saw fresh fluid and see if things got easier.
3. He could disconnect the trackbar from the pitman arm and eliminate any binding the in the linkage to identify if the problem is in the steering gear or maybe the pump.
4. I asked about the adjustment screw and if it had ever been tightened.
5. I asked if the steering gear was original to the truck.
Maybe a couple of other things too, but don't remember now...
I happened to be outside cleaning the yard and debris from Florence when Byron asked me about my steering work experiences.
I told him the following (paraphrasing)...
1. I would get a gallon of Valvoline synthetic ATF from Autozone for ~$7.
2. Raise the front end of the truck and flush the fluid system until he saw fresh fluid and see if things got easier.
3. He could disconnect the trackbar from the pitman arm and eliminate any binding the in the linkage to identify if the problem is in the steering gear or maybe the pump.
4. I asked about the adjustment screw and if it had ever been tightened.
5. I asked if the steering gear was original to the truck.
Maybe a couple of other things too, but don't remember now...
Byron, before flushing the system check for cavitation as I mentioned in my first post. Flushing isn't going to fix a bad pump and it's free and takes 10 minutes.
West Texas Off Road does a great job, whether it's rebuilding your gear box or porting it for Hydro assist. They ported my PSC gearbox and did an outstanding job!
West Texas Off Road does a great job, whether it's rebuilding your gear box or porting it for Hydro assist. They ported my PSC gearbox and did an outstanding job!
Just one other thought. Have you checked the condition of the ball joints? One of the older truck at work had some pretty bad ball joints and it was difficult to keep it even close to staying on the road. Very tight to drive and the steering would not return to normal position after making even a slight turn.
Do tell.....do you like it?
Thread Starter
|
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,590
Likes: 382
From: Texas
Byron, Maybe the truck found out you intend to move to Kommeifornia...and said, "Not if I have anything to say about it"! 
Sounds like your pump died. If you open PS reservoir cover with truck running do you see an cavitation? What about when someone tries to turn the wheel if you have it on idle does it stop when you try to turn the wheel? If you don't see any cavitation or it stops it's your pump. Your brakes may also feel very soft and ineffective because the pump helps with braking too.
Sounds like your pump died. If you open PS reservoir cover with truck running do you see an cavitation? What about when someone tries to turn the wheel if you have it on idle does it stop when you try to turn the wheel? If you don't see any cavitation or it stops it's your pump. Your brakes may also feel very soft and ineffective because the pump helps with braking too.
Anyways, I'll look in the morning. I can remove the cap with the truck running? And yes, it pretty much stops unless I give it throttle. I'd love the hydro kit and all, but budget may not allow it just yet. I'll do a check and get back to you. Thanks!!
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 4,807
Likes: 125
From: Colorado Springs
John, it's really odd, but your post did not show up until tonight. Timmayyyyyyyyyyyy's post was the first response, but now yours is there as the first one. Odd!!!!
Anyways, I'll look in the morning. I can remove the cap with the truck running? And yes, it pretty much stops unless I give it throttle. I'd love the hydro kit and all, but budget may not allow it just yet. I'll do a check and get back to you. Thanks!!
Anyways, I'll look in the morning. I can remove the cap with the truck running? And yes, it pretty much stops unless I give it throttle. I'd love the hydro kit and all, but budget may not allow it just yet. I'll do a check and get back to you. Thanks!!
Thread Starter
|
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,590
Likes: 382
From: Texas
Yes, you can remove the cap while running. If no cavitation. I would say yes it’s your pump, you should see cavitation if the truck is running. When you give it throttle you should see... BTW, have you notified any brake issues, lack of solid braking, brake fade etc?
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,355
Likes: 5,947
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
To provide a different perspective to what John is saying, I can see a definitive drop (cavitation) of the fluid level with the cap off the reservoir, truck running and having someone depress the brakes or turn the wheel. This is because the pump is displacing fluid in the system and being refilled by the return at the same time. If the fluid appears to be stagnant, then this is what John is having you look for and as he said, would be a good sign of a pump needing to be replaced.
So, what you should see is what looks like a bit of a fluid level drop and some turbulence in the fluid. The fluid turbulence will be different than what the engine is making the fluid do just from vibration.
One thing you should keep an eye out for is in the following video.
I am not sure if you remember this issue I was having a few months back that turned out to be air in the system. Although, this problem did not present itself until about 6 months after replacing the steering gear and the ambient air temperature was in the 30's for a few days in a row. I just went out to start the truck and immediately noticed the issue and did not coorelate the problem to the hydroboost system because the steering gear had been replaced several months before that. I spent all day trouble shooting the issue and then flushed it with the fluid I had on hand from the gear change. Timmy was right, it was the fluid or air in the system and after about 1/2 a gallon, things were good.
I pushed another quart of fluid through just to be sure and all has been good since.
So, what you should see is what looks like a bit of a fluid level drop and some turbulence in the fluid. The fluid turbulence will be different than what the engine is making the fluid do just from vibration.
One thing you should keep an eye out for is in the following video.
I am not sure if you remember this issue I was having a few months back that turned out to be air in the system. Although, this problem did not present itself until about 6 months after replacing the steering gear and the ambient air temperature was in the 30's for a few days in a row. I just went out to start the truck and immediately noticed the issue and did not coorelate the problem to the hydroboost system because the steering gear had been replaced several months before that. I spent all day trouble shooting the issue and then flushed it with the fluid I had on hand from the gear change. Timmy was right, it was the fluid or air in the system and after about 1/2 a gallon, things were good.
I pushed another quart of fluid through just to be sure and all has been good since.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,793
Likes: 50
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 4,807
Likes: 125
From: Colorado Springs
I sent mine in because it was a $900 PSC gearbox. Turn around was about 9 days including a weekend. They tore it down to port it, checked everything, said it was in excellent shape, ported it then sent it back.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,355
Likes: 5,947
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
I didn't read the instructions on how to modify or upgrade the pump, you probably have to remove it to do so?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,074
Likes: 91
From: DFW, Texas
I removed the pump and took it with me to WTOR and they modified it.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 4,807
Likes: 125
From: Colorado Springs
You can put a pressure tester on the pump BETWEEN pump and gearbox and see what kind of PSI you're actually getting. You'll test it at idle to see ideal pressure IIRC 125-200 is in spec, then you'll use the restriction valve to dead head the pump, you should see PSI of 1425-1525 (ish). Repeat the test at least 2 more times to see if the pressures return to within 50 psi of the first test. If you see them return within 50 psi the pump is good.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,793
Likes: 50
Thats a good idear, right there but speaking for myself, if id go the WTO route, id have an oem reman ps pump to follow...not dign too much into wto site, are there "stages" to order by or its just a 1-deal pump?