I have a 1997 F-150 extended cab Lariat,5.4 auto 98k miles on it. When it is cold out (like below 20) the power steering doesn't want to work at all.If it's really cold the the belt will howl for about a second and the pump will whine and pump will actually stall out the engine. Sometimes I'll have to start it a few times which it will run for a second each time then stall out or idle low for a second until I guess the power steering fluid gets rolling. The front end seems to be in good condition (ball joints,steering gear such as pitman arm and whatnot) The fluid has been changed,didnt help. The pump has been replaced under warrenty when I got the truck,didnt help. Tried the Lucas steering conditioner,made it worse and didnt help. Now if its above 20 out no problems. I've had the lines off the pump and they seem to be in good shape and clear. Could it be in the box? It would be a pretty big chunk of change to lay out just to try it. I been doing all my own work on my vehicles for the past 15 years and this sucker has got me stumped. Hopefully someone on here has encountered the same problem that I have and I'm not the only guy in the world that has had the same problem.

Other than that one small hassle (I really don't consider it a downfall being it doesn't happen everytime I use the truck) I have zero problems with the thing.

 

I also asked a local Ford dealer if they had any problems with this and they said no,just pumps wearing ou from extreme high milage.

 

Hi Robert and welcome to the forum

Even in colder weather than that I haven't seen that problem either.
To me it sounds like a bad pump though. Was the pump replaced for that problem or because it was leaking or something?

 

Yes.It was replaced in an attempt for fix that problem. It didn't cost me anything because the truck was under warrenty. That was about 10 months ago. I almost figured that it had fixed the problem but it was starting to get warmer out by then. My bad luck. I used the recomended fliud for it also. I do know that regular power steering fluid like the type GM uses is a good bit thinner though ATF is also very thin. Thanks for the reply.