'86 F350 Diesel power steering hose (high pressure) fitting blew away from pump reservoir. I replaced both hoses and put new fluid, but now it's squealing and hard to turn. I removed belt and turned the pulley by hand and had a "grinding" sound. I removed the pump, drained fluid and put it in a vise, turned the pulley by hand and doesn't have the grinding sound. It doesn't appear to have any binding nor have a bad bearing. I'm at a lost. Any advice? Thanks

 

When the pump was in the truck, you felt the left over fluid in the pump being compressed. By the time you got it into the vise the left over fluid probably drained out. When I changed mine, it did the same thing and it only lasted for about a day or so. This caused by air in the system. You must use type "F" transmission fluid only, not the cheap power steering fluid. I used the power steering fluid in mine and blew out the seals in my steering box. Give it a few days and see if it starts to quiet down and steer better. If not, off to the junkyard for a pump. Hope this helps!




1986 F-250 6.9 diesel,4x4,XLT Lariat,Ex Cab, 8'bed,etc...

 

I did a search and read past "steering" messages and did the following: Re-installed pump and connected the (new) high pressure hose, leaving the return line disconnected at the pump which I plugged. I routed the low pressure line from the steering box to a catch container. Raised the front wheels and started the engine. I poured new power steering fluid in the pump until the return line showed clean clear fluid, therefore flushing complete. I was able to turn the steering wheel far left and far right without any effort..felt like a power steering should. But when I placed the wheels back on the ground, the pump showed the same symptom as before, squealing and "grinding" and very hard to turn. The pulley actually looked like it was binding (stopping momentariley)! With oil spilled all under the truck and the dog peeing on my leg, I decided to call it a day. I don't mind having to buy a new pump (if it is the pump), but I sure am puzzled as to why the pump stopped working when the hose was the faulty part??? Could it be the pump went out thus creating such a high amount of pressure that it blew the hose?? I'll wait for any replies before plunking $75 for a new one. Thanks folks.