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This is not my first time reconnecting a PS line, not even on this truck. I just replaced the steering box, put the PS lines on (finger tight and then gently with one of those line wrenches - correct size) and the thing keeps leaking.
Got any tips?
It's the big line (longer line, bigger plug) and it looks like it's the origina. Maybe I just need to replace it?
I'm a little worried the steering box I just installed might be the problem. If so, I'm kind of screwed. I won't be able to get the money back, I'm sure.
I assume it is leaking where the line connects to the box?
If you are using O rings on those connections, remove then and chuck in the trash. Re-do the connection without. No thread tape either. It is like a flared brake line. Metal to metal sealing surface.
Tighten it up some?
It is a flare fitting and needs to be quite tight (35 ft. Lbs.)
Teflon tape will not help
Inspect the flare on the line for a crack
Inspect the flare insert in the gear for deformity or damage
Good luck
Tighten it up some?
It is a flare fitting and needs to be quite tight (35 ft. Lbs.)
Teflon tape will not help
Inspect the flare on the line for a crack
Inspect the flare insert in the gear for deformity or damage
Good luck
Oh! Well this might have been the problem. I'll check when it warms up to the point my fingers can work. Usually I am quite dainty with flare lines, I thought the risk was overtightening. I can give it another crank for sure.
Is there any risk of ruining the threads on the *steering box* itself? If not, I won't worry since the line is a lot easier to replace than the box.
Yes, you can ruin the threads on the line or in the gear
Don't over do it (overtightening can also crack the flare on the line)
I never have atually torqued one
I just get it about as tight as I can (easily) with a hand held 5/8 line wrench
Being a flare fitting you want smooth metal-to-metal for the flared end of the tubing and the matching seat in the pump. And it should be fairly tight.
It wouldn't hurt to use some ultra-fine emory cloth to smooth the convex side of the tube flare to ensure it is as smooth as possible. Also, what i do for insurance on old lines is roll an o-ring over the flare and onto the tubing, then seat the flare in the socket (metal-to-metal), and then slide the fitting down, pushing the o-ring ahead of it. Tighten well. The o-ring will serve as a packing material to seal any tiny leaks that may happen.
I don't see an o ring on the hose anywhere, I wonder if it's supposed to have one and if I lost it on the swap.
At this point I've replaced every part of the PS system except this hose, so I don't mind doing it, so long as the weather holds. Well, I guess it'll hold long enough to change the line. I'll update this thread when I do. In the meantime I'm going to bite my nails over the possibility that the reman motorcraft steering box has bad threads. I'd be pretty badly screwed if so. I bought this from RockAuto, whose customer service policy is "Go F$@% Yourself". I guess I'll find out in a week or so. Good thing I have groceries in the meantime!
I don't see an o ring on the hose anywhere, I wonder if it's supposed to have one and if I lost it on the swap.
At this point I've replaced every part of the PS system except this hose, so I don't mind doing it, so long as the weather holds. Well, I guess it'll hold long enough to change the line. I'll update this thread when I do. In the meantime I'm going to bite my nails over the possibility that the reman motorcraft steering box has bad threads. I'd be pretty badly screwed if so. I bought this from RockAuto, whose customer service policy is "Go F$@% Yourself". I guess I'll find out in a week or so. Good thing I have groceries in the meantime!
a 1987-1997 should have a metric o ring fitting at the steering gear and a Teflon one time use washer on the power steering pump.
a 1987-1997 should have a metric o ring fitting at the steering gear and a Teflon one time use washer on the power steering pump.
That's very useful, thank you. So this is the most plausible explanation of what happened - I lost the o-ring in the swap, and now it's leaking as a result.
But this also means I might as well replace the line because I've replaced the PS pump but did not replace the teflon washer at that time (I don't even remember it).
Okay, I'll cross my fingers and wait for the thing to arrive. Thank you.
That's very useful, thank you. So this is the most plausible explanation of what happened - I lost the o-ring in the swap, and now it's leaking as a result.
But this also means I might as well replace the line because I've replaced the PS pump but did not replace the teflon washer at that time (I don't even remember it).
Okay, I'll cross my fingers and wait for the thing to arrive. Thank you.
Yes. if you want, a new nitrile o ring that fits will work. If you go to the autopart store they should be able to lookup o ring for power steering pressure line. Im assuming its your pressure line. Both the return line and the pressure line seal to the gear with an o ring around the end this is what the return line would look like, the pressure line would be similar. i would make sure your old o ring is not in the new box (such like it broke apart when putting it in) New o rings should be lubricated with the factory spec fluid (Type F) and rolled onto the end . new lines sometimes come with a plastic cone that you roll the o ring onto then roll it back onto the line. If you removed the line from the pump, you NEED a new teflon sealing washer
If that is a stock set up there is no o-ring. It is a flare fitting.
The inverted flare in the gear should be nice and clean, no marks in it. They can get worn out, corroded, and marked up.
If you wish for more help, post up a picture of what you are working on. If you can not post up pics, let us know.
These are worn out fittings in the same type of gear box you are working on (assuming stock). They may or may not seal properly. The fitting was tightened down too tight at some point.. probably trying to stop it from leaking.
This is what the end of your line should look like. Assuming it is all stock.
Thanks, okay so NO oring. I can post photos, but not of the line because it's already in there. I could probably snap one of the box though. Anyway I ordered the new line so I'm going to install that first and hope for the best. Really I'm just worried the new steering gear/box is the source of the problem. If it's the line, this should go away soon. Fingers crossed!
Last edited by wannabuyaford; Dec 9, 2023 at 08:20 PM.
Reason: oops
If that is a stock set up there is no o-ring. It is a flare fitting.
The inverted flare in the gear should be nice and clean, no marks in it. They can get worn out, corroded, and marked up.
If you wish for more help, post up a picture of what you are working on. If you can not post up pics, let us know.
These are worn out fittings in the same type of gear box you are working on (assuming stock). They may or may not seal properly. The fitting was tightened down too tight at some point.. probably trying to stop it from leaking.
This is what the end of your line should look like. Assuming it is all stock.
are you sure on the inverted flare thing? I feel like I remember having an o ring fitting on my 1996. Either way, OP,
just Identitfy which line you have, and on your box, identify if it looks like the picture jjf20 posted, if yours looks like his on the inside its inverted flare. I apologize if my info was wrong I could have swore ford boxes were metric o ring by these years. Now if your box is mismatched from your line, you would need an adapter but thats not hard to get
I can also attest to needing a fair amount of patience getting the lines in proper position on the gearbox before the threads would engage. If they are angled a bit, the threaded fitting won't be able to make straight contact with the female threads. You'll think they look straight, but they aren't if the fitting won't engage the threads. I ended up loosening the line clamps to allow more movement in the lines over the gearbox. Still had to do a (very) little tweaking of them to get them to stand straight. This was a few years ago, but I definitely remember it taking way longer than I expected.
I *think* they are good now. I got a new line. I'm nervous because it was easy to thread the new line in by hand. Shouldn't be easy, right? Nothing easy ever works on this truck.
Then again, now my alternator pulley is squealing, so maybe this is all normal.
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