Power Steering Issue
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Trailering
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 22
Likes: 1
Power Steering Issue
Hi Folks,
Question for you all. Working on my 73 F250 that I haven't really got running since inheriting it. Also, I am a rookie.
I had a power steering gearbox that was leaking real bad, so I pulled it and replaced all the seals. I reinstalled it and hooked everything up and now I noticed that it turns to the left smooth as butter, but is super tough turning it to the right.
I have searched forums and websites and I had people say to get a new gearbox (there is only 43K miles on the truck), or simply bleed it the "Ford Way", or hook up a vacuum and bleed the air out the proper way.
I have jacked up the front and done the bleeding the "Ford Way", I bought a vacuum pump and bled all the air out, and it still is tough to the right.
What is weird to me is that it is only when the engine is running. If I leave the engine off then it turns easily to both the right and left.
Any ideas?
Question for you all. Working on my 73 F250 that I haven't really got running since inheriting it. Also, I am a rookie.
I had a power steering gearbox that was leaking real bad, so I pulled it and replaced all the seals. I reinstalled it and hooked everything up and now I noticed that it turns to the left smooth as butter, but is super tough turning it to the right.
I have searched forums and websites and I had people say to get a new gearbox (there is only 43K miles on the truck), or simply bleed it the "Ford Way", or hook up a vacuum and bleed the air out the proper way.
I have jacked up the front and done the bleeding the "Ford Way", I bought a vacuum pump and bled all the air out, and it still is tough to the right.
What is weird to me is that it is only when the engine is running. If I leave the engine off then it turns easily to both the right and left.
Any ideas?
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 1,174
Likes: 362
From: Anderson, California
If you have Power Assist, then your issue is with the Control Valve assembly. That is my guess.
If you have an internal Power Steering box, then your issues are probably within the PS Box.
I always thought that '73 thru '76 came with Power Assist steering with control valve and hydraulic cylinder.
If you have an internal Power Steering box, then your issues are probably within the PS Box.
I always thought that '73 thru '76 came with Power Assist steering with control valve and hydraulic cylinder.
5th Wheeling
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 38
Likes: 20
From: Florida
My steering box did the same thing after I put it back in the truck after a fame off restoration that took way to long. It was off the truck for five years. It would only turn right with the motor running. I replaced it with a red head and that fixed it.
Thread Starter
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Trailering
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 22
Likes: 1
Answering 2 questions.
jflem - The truck is a 2WD
Greaser007 - When you say "power assist" are you saying if I have a power steering pump? If so, then yes I have one of those that pumps into the steering gearbox.
Sorry, I am not too knowledgeable yet, but I am learning. Where is the control valve assembly?
jflem - The truck is a 2WD
Greaser007 - When you say "power assist" are you saying if I have a power steering pump? If so, then yes I have one of those that pumps into the steering gearbox.
Sorry, I am not too knowledgeable yet, but I am learning. Where is the control valve assembly?
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 1,174
Likes: 362
From: Anderson, California
OK, I was thinking '73 F250 4x4 which I believe had a hydraulic cylinder on the axle housing to tie rod.
The control valve controls the fluid direction to the cylinder either left or right.
Thank you,
So yours being a 2wd the control valve is built into the PS box mounted aft of the motor mount. ( I think ).
The control valve controls the fluid direction to the cylinder either left or right.
Thank you,
So yours being a 2wd the control valve is built into the PS box mounted aft of the motor mount. ( I think ).
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Trailering
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Trailering
Joined: Aug 2019
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Likes: 1
So I am guessing that this was probably the 1 part that I didn't take apart because I didn't have a spanner wrench that would work.
Would you all recommend that I try taking it apart again, or just buy a redhead? I don't really have the $ but I also don't want to keep wasting time.
Thanks again.
Would you all recommend that I try taking it apart again, or just buy a redhead? I don't really have the $ but I also don't want to keep wasting time.
Thanks again.
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 638
Likes: 36
From: Southwest Missouri
Send it to redhead or bluetop. Just pick whomever seems less back ordered. They will rebuild it and you will get better than new steering feel with less slop than it left the factory with. I would also replace the floppy plastic bearing at the bottom of your steering column with the ball bearing unit they offer. My truck had almost a half turn of steering wheel play before I did that, now it has maybe a couple inches. Once all the bushings in my linkages are replaced it will drive like a modern truck.
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