Help I can't steer!

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Nov 8, 2004 | 01:12 PM

pateoboy250

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Nov 2004

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Help I can't steer!

Hi..I need help! I have a 73 F250 Hi Boy. The power steering hydralic cylinder is gushing fluid. I've been told that this design was deemed faulty due to the fact that it didn't hold up. I need to either replace it, rebuild it, or convert it over to a newer set up. Is there a conversion kit? Can you rebuild the cylinder? Winters coming and I'm spending a fortune on PS fluid. Help! pateo

Nov 8, 2004 | 02:13 PM

highboy1975

Cargo Master

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 2,110

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From: southwest pa

they can be converted over to the newer style power steering, cheapest easiest thing is just get rid of the system and run it manually. makes for a good workout i will say that.

Nov 8, 2004 | 11:03 PM

robtinalimon

Senior User

Joined: May 2004

Posts: 185

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From: Bedford Hts, Oh

You could take it to the nearest heavy equipment repair shop or there was a guy that sold a conversion on the bay website. If you get rid of your power assist stuff, feel free to think about the rest of us. I am looking for a new valve body.

Nov 9, 2004 | 04:58 AM

Crumm

More Turbo

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 632

Likes: 16

From: Fairbanks, Alaska

ATSCO POWER STEERING CYLINDER for a 1973 FORD TRUCK F250 3/4 TON P/U 4WD

Unit Price: $179.99
Core Value*: $85.00
Part No.: 7701
Weight: 7.46 lbs.

above is available at AutoZone or switch it over to the newer style.

Nov 9, 2004 | 02:27 PM

rakent

Senior User

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 173

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In addition to Autozone, you can get rebuilt components from Autokrafters, Garrison MFG., Lares Corporation, etc. Autokrafters is a site sponsor. Run a google search for more information.

The parts to rebuild the entire system are out there and they are not as hard to find as it might seem upon first glance.

As was noted, since the power assist system uses a manual steering gear, you can convert the system to a straight manual setup by replacing your power control valve with a manual (i.e. solid) link, removing the assist cylinder and disconnecting the power steering pump.

The kit on ebay will convert you to integrated power steering and appears to be very nice and of extremely high quality, but I haven't used it. Some folks here speak very highly of it.

If you have the time and fabrication skills you can do the same thing using junkyard parts.

The power assist is more complex and has more parts to wear out when compared to a more modern integrated system, but it does work when everything is in top shape.

Last edited by rakent; Nov 9, 2004 at 02:35 PM.

Nov 13, 2004 | 02:20 AM

460EFIhighboy

Freshman User

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 46

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I have used the Ebay kit. It is of high quality. You WILL NOT be unhappy. It installs in half a day, and works so nice. Single best thing I ever did to the truck. Get one, and you will never look back. It fixes both the steering gear problem, and also gets you the saginaw pump. When you have that, you will see how bad the ford one really was.

Dec 13, 2004 | 09:58 AM

Tesla 92

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Joined: Feb 2004

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 460EFIhighboy

What Ebay kit are you guys talking about?? I want to look into this, because my 77 is like trying to steer the Titanic... we all know how well that works.

Thanks!