1970 f100 XLT 2wd, auto, 302v8. I have extensively searched threads here and exercised the advice in the directions below, that I found here on the forum. A few weeks ago I removed my Ford Steering Gear, Pump (w cooler), all lines, disassembled all of it to reseal then reassembled.
I also installed a new drag link and new inner and outer tie rods. At the same time, I removed the column and replaced the bearings, guides and dust cap.

Either, I'm failing to bleed the system correctly, or I messed up something while resealing the pump or gearbox. With the front wheels off the ground, I can go lock to lock spinning the steering wheel with on finger. (Followed the directions below to a TEE). At almost full lock left and right, (tires off the ground) fluid would purge from the fill tube. I tried slowing this action down at these points, and it just slowed the purge of fluid. I even turned to the point where I could watch the fluid rise in the fill tube. Slowed the turning and watched the level... it would very slowly drop if I stopped. Turn a little more, fluid would rise, waited, dropped slowly, turned to full lock, it would overflow.
Dropped the truck, took it around the block, and zero power assist. Purged fluid on every turn, no improvement asnI drove. I'm at a loss. No idea what to do. These are the directions I followed. I should mention that during this entire time there has been no noise from the pump. It has run quietly.

 

Didn't mention. I filled the system with ATF type F.

 

Here's where I'm at. Attempted to ise a vacuum bleeder yesterday, attached to the filler tube on the pump. Bought the pump at Auto Zone. Got home and the bleeder pump was bad out of the box. Went back, exchanged it, opened it in the parking lot, pumped it w my thumb over the end and it worked. Got home, hooked it all up, it worked for 10 pumps and then nada. Another faulty tool. Went to Harbor Freight from there, stood right in front of the pump they had, and just couldn't do it. Felt so defeated and exhausted and frustrated that I just went home and didn't work on the truck. Going back to HF today. Going to grab that pump and try again. It's supposed to rain all day, but I won't melt. Might try to rig a tarp up? Here's to all the other NO GARAGE brothers and sisters out there that still wrench in the driveway even though it isn't ideal 👊

 

I'm going to assume that it was working before you took it apart. In that case I would say you have assembled something wrong or damaged something when it was re-assembled. Don't know where you got that bleeding procedure but that isn't what the shop manual says to do. I have rebuilt Saginaw and Ford steering boxes and never had one not bleed the air out in a matter of a couple of minutes. I never bother resealing a pump since at that point they need more than a seal, it cheaper to exchange them.
If you do not have steering assist at this point, either you have a massive internal leak in the gear box, or the pump isn't working. The simplest thing to do is to install a known good pump and try it.

 

oof. Can you tell me what the shop manual does say to do? I have a sey of 70 manuals to guide me w the rebuilding process, but didnt see a bleeding procedure. Thanks!

 

After using a working vacuum bleeder pump, the steering assist improved, but it isn't as easy to steer as it was before I did this disassembly and rebuild of the pump an box. I also installed all new steering linkage, so tie rod ends and drag link. (All new ball joints)

I did a few things while the front was in the air yesterday. One of which was turn the steering lock to lock by grabbing the driver's side tire, and moved THAT.

I did most of the back and forth using the steering wheel

The difference was, no fluid purge when gabbing the tire and going back and forth. Only when I turned the steering wheel, did it purge fluid from the reservoir/pump.

Does that diagnose anything?

 

I don't have 70 manual but, in the ones, I do have the bleeding procedure is in the pump section. You should never hit the steering stops until you have 99% of the air out of the system. Hitting the stops with trapped air in the steering box can damage the seals in the box.
I've never had any trouble getting the air out of the system and certainly never had to use a vacuum pump. Or turn lock to lock 40 times.
The only easy thing to do is install a known good pump.

 

I'm a stubborn a$$. If it's the pump, I'll take it back out and disassemble and go through it again. Might have misaligned something. Never know.

 

Good luck! Keep in mind taking something apart that may be worn and not replacing the worn parts and expecting it to function as new is an exercise in futility.

 

It worked, it was just leaking from the seals. It's all on me 😂 I've heard a million times, "If it's leaking, it has fluid in it." I COULD have went along w that and just left it, but I see engine bays w no leaks, and that's my ultimate goal over time. This started with the steering column needing a lower bearing. "Well I'll just do EVERYTHING steering. Check THAT off."

 

Update, everything is working perfectly. I removed the PS pump, disassembled it again and the internal pump housing was installed 90° off, blocking the weep hole. Reassembled, reinstalled and I was able to bleed it in about 15 min just turning the wheel. Education on PS system complete 🤙