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Hi All- I have searched high and low for a " how to " to no avail. I have flushed other vehicles of mine in the past but they all have a clear plastic reservoir to watch. My 1974 f250 has a metal one. I just replaced the fuel pump and after completion my power steering is very very limited. Have searched for broken lines or anything out of the ordinary but nothing shows up. Maybe its a strange coincidence that steering failed after fuel pump. Who knows. Hoping its not a new power steering pump I need so I am starting with a flush. My questions are :
- What is the best way to do a flush given I cannot see fluid levels ? I have disconnected the return hose ( circled in red in the photo below , which runs down to the metal coils attached to the frame ) and plan on putting a large plastic container to catch the fluid once I start the flush. Should I just slowly empty new fluid into the reservoir until I go through 2 quarts ? And then reconnect the hose and add another 2 new quarts ?
- What do you use to plug the hole on the reservoir when the hose is disconnected ?
- What is the purpose of the metal coils in which the return hose connects to ? More curious than anything.
I always pull the return line and plug the reservoir. Put the return line(usually have to splice a longer hose on it) into a bucket or drain pan. Put funnel in reservoir. start engine and keep pouring new fluid into funnel and flush the system. If you can get someone to turn steering wheel during it will clean it better. Just don't run it out of fluid. I usually pour three quarts or so thru it.
The metal coil is a Power steering cooler??? Not sure it does a lo, but???
Get the wife or a friend to crank wheel while running up on jack stands. I try to have 2 gallons on hand to finish project. X2 on don't let it go dry. If it's not working and not whining and full you have another problem if it's full. If it has run dry you can try the lock to lock on stands. If it's foamy a vacuum pump method can pull air out, or time puke refill regimen.
Did the flush and my power steering issues remain the same. You mentioned "foamy " and my fluid was somewhat that. What does this mean and what is the solution ?
Aside from this, what else could be causing my power steering to suddenly have issues ? I changed the fuel pump and had to loosen the PS stump to access bolt. Is it possible to have tightened the belt too much when putting back together and that is causing issues ? Its a loud whine when trying to turn the wheels and when at a stop, its almost impossible to turn the wheels without considerable effort. It had no PS steering issue prior to the fuel pump change.
