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Still workin' on upgrading components on the '78 Ranger 460.....New 1411 Carb and fuel pump brought it back to life from it's sluggishness and hard starting..... What a difference. The power steering pump works OK, BUT it's a real "growler". Just old and tired I guess and won't quiet down...fluid level is at max. It's annoying growling all the time and I'd like to change it out, BUT I've never changed one before on any of my vehicles. I have no idea what I might run into. Any tips? Pointers? Tricks of the trade? Things to worry about? Any info is appreciated.
X2 Saginaw swap/upgrade and make sure you beg, borrow, rent, or buy the proper p/s pump pulley puller. Most auto parts stored have a tool loaner program. NO a 2, 3 or 4 finger gear puller will NOT work, but it will bend the pulley for sure. There are kits out there that let you bolt on, bleed and go.
Makes you wonder how Ford sold millions of vehicles for decades with power steering pumps that didn't work and nobody noticed it.
The OEM set is ok, IMO for stock applications. And if you are use to that kind of p/s, it is fine. I was use to that style, and when I got my 4wd 78 F250 it had a Saginaw p/s pump swap and turned those 35's easy peasy.
My 71 Bronco crawler has a Saginaw p/s pump and turns those 35x14.50x15 boggers (with a front locker) easy peasy one finger greasy.
Then when you do the Saginaw swap you are like "So this is what REAL power steering is like". No growl, lag, belt squall or untimely failure.
Makes you wonder how Ford sold millions of vehicles for decades with power steering pumps that didn't work and nobody noticed it.
Ahh, but we did notice it. We had several new 6th & 7th gen Ford trucks on the farm, and I remember two recurring things about them. Multiple ICM failures. And having to replace whining power steering pumps that sometimes wouldn't allow us to turn the steering wheel in mud unless the truck was moving. I haven't experienced any of those power steering pump problems since installing a Saginaw.
Saginaw pump upgrade is a night/day difference in power. I don't know why some people have such a vendetta against upgrading parts. The original Ford pumps are infamous for being noisy and underpowered. I replaced one with stock before upgrading to a Saginaw and wish I'd done it sooner.
The original pumps worked just fine, and the whine was part of driving a Ford.
Radial tires are an upgrade, an overdrive is an upgrade, integral steering is an upgrade. base/clear paint is an upgrade. this is a solution in search of a problem. if someone feels they need GM parts on their Ford that's fine, but they should know there are probably 10,000 better places to spend time and money.
An inferior pump that makes noise and fails and struggles to turn 33's on dry pavement is a problem that can stand to be solved. Replacing the steering pump with one that resolves those issues is an upgrade.
The original pumps worked just fine, and the whine was part of driving a Ford.
Radial tires are an upgrade, an overdrive is an upgrade, integral steering is an upgrade. base/clear paint is an upgrade. this is a solution in search of a problem. if someone feels they need GM parts on their Ford that's fine, but they should know there are probably 10,000 better places to spend time and money.
This is so hilarious because so many Ford vehicles came with Saginaw PS pumps and steering gears. Ford made pumps are notoriously low output, noisy and unreliable. Not sure why Ford couldn't build a good pump. It's more that Saginaw builds great pumps, many manufacturers use them.
An inferior pump that makes noise and fails and struggles to turn 33's on dry pavement is a problem that can stand to be solved. Replacing the steering pump with one that resolves those issues is an upgrade.
If the Saginaw pumps didn’t fail I wouldn’t already own the special tool to remove and install the pulleys on them. Which I now need to use on my current truck 🤦🏻♂️
In my personal experience the Ford pumps are noisy and provide less assist but the GM Saginaw pumps just outright fail more frequently. Pick your poison.
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Power Steering Pump SWAP.... Tips?
