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I feel kinda silly for asking this buuuut...What type of fluid is in a power steering gear (the box, not the pump)? How often, if ever, do they need to be topped off? Is it common for these to leak? Its in an 87 Bronco. Thanks.
Skippy
Hi, it gets power steering fluid from the pump just check the level in the pump and you should be good to go! I usually don't change it un less I have a problem with it. if it ain't broke don't fix it. John
Thanks for the replies on the fluid. The steering box does, in fact, appear to be leaking and dripping off the pitman arm but the fluid is brownish, like gear or motor oil, and looks quite dfferent than power steering fluid. If the steering box and pump fluid is all the same system, why is the fluid in the pump a different color than whats leaking from the steering box? Oh yeah, over the past month or so, I've been getting wicked bad squealing at initial start-up and when running over 65mph or so. Pump fluid is right up. Thanks again.
Skip
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 18-Jan-01 AT 11:20 AM (EST)[/font][p]The reason the fluid is dark red or brown is because it's old and or dirty. It's usually red when fresh, but when heat and a few years get to it, it does darken. You can usually tell the type of fluid by the smell of it (compare 10W-30 motor oil to 90W Gear oil). Each fluid has it's own distinct smell. It should smell like ATF.....
As for the squeeling, first check for a cracked/glazed belt.
I flushed my system with Valvoline Syn-Power power steering fluid and also topped it off with this. It completely took care of the annoying Ford power steering pump whine.
>I flushed my system with Valvoline
>Syn-Power power steering fluid and
>also topped it off with
>this. It completely took
>care of the annoying Ford
>power steering pump whine.
I've heard so many people say that the Valvoline Syn-Power cure's that problem. I'm now going to do it. I'm tired of hearing that whining noise.
Did you disconnect the pressure hose at the gear box and flush the system?
Well, I flushed the gearbox and the pump with Valvoline Syn-Power and it's louder than it was before I started. Every Ford Pump I run across has this annoying sound. you would figure Ford would do something about this design flaw. Pump works well except for annoying noise.
I would hate to change the pump only to put another one on that does the same thing.
Hopefully it will settle out.. Turn the wheel side to side (full lock)Several times ... If the fluid has some air in it you may still get some noise.. give it some time ..Let it warm up and see if it settles down..
__JOHN__Õ¿ö
Member-
http://www.cruisin-north.com/
Santa Rosa, Calif.
72 F-250
ICQ#6030753
https://www.ford-trucks.com/pictorial/big/1972_f250_2.html
I sure hope it settles down. I've called Ford about this and their excuse was the fact that they went to plastic pumps and the sound radiates differently on plastic instead of metal. HELLO, this should be a NO BRAINER HERE. Go back to the metal pump design then!!! Who knows. All I know is that it would be nice to have a quite pump.
BTW, Great looking Truck you have there. That reminds me of my 71 Custom I wish I still had.
Also, I see that you're having a show in July. I have family in San Mateo. I might be able to make that show? I'll check your site out
jbhf250 is right. Your pump may be worn out but give it some time to work the air out before you start changing parts. Turn the wheels from from one end to the other a few times and keep a close eye on the fluid level.
From what I hear, once they're loud they're loud. Especially if you run them dry. AGR Performance http://www.agrsteering.com/OFF/offroad.htm makes new Ford power steering pumps that are direct replacements, yet better. Their pump puts out a maximum pressure of 1500 psi and it's ported to give better flow and performance. They're only $129 new and come with a new plastic reservoir. Check http://www.agrsteering.com/OFF/offapp.htm for the part number for your truck.
I know what you mean about the whining pump. I don't know how many times I have pulled into a parking spot and when I get out some guy says," Sounds like you need to add some power steering fluid". I will have to try switching fluids like you guys did. I have also done quite a few bottom end seals, one on my 92 and a few for other people, getting quite good at it actually. About the squeal you refered to, I was using Dayco belts and could only get a year out of them. After that it would squeal, especially when it was cold or damp outside. I switched over to Gates belts and had no trouble since. (NAPA belts are made by Gates). Good luck.
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