diesel power steering, how does it work?

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Mar 24, 2005 | 09:54 AM

Delawhere?

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 327

Likes: 0

From: newark,de

diesel power steering, how does it work?

I have a question that pertains to a problem a friend had happen to him. His power steering locked up and the wheel would not move. This happened as he started the 6.0L dsl. and was attempting to move his travel trailer first thing in the morning. It was only after moving the truck forward and backward that the steering wheel was able to turn normally. This is on a 2 wheel drive F250 long bed.
Does the diesel engine have a power steering pump like most vehicles, or is it different than gas engines? Is it vacuum controlled or have something to do with vacuum that the engine has to run at a higher RPM to get it to work properly when it has been idle for a period of time?
Hopefully someone can explain this as I was not able to find anything in a search of power steering that was related to diesel motors.

Mar 24, 2005 | 12:27 PM

wolffee

Elder User

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 790

Likes: 1

From: Fort. Lauderdale FL,

I belive its hydro assited and shares the hydro asst. with the brakes. So if he had his foot planted on the brake or on the brake with any force it can he hard to turn the wheel when the truck is not moving. I belive The Brakes and the power steering share one power asst booster. I had the same problom when in a parking lot the wheel would get reel hard to turn if i wasnt moving and had my foot on the brake. When i heard this went outside and was right. Hope this helps and again i belive this is how it works i could be wrong its just what i was told. you know how that goes.

ryan

Mar 24, 2005 | 12:32 PM

MRKnight

Elder User

Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 931

Likes: 0

From: Cool, CA

Does this apply to the '05 model? I've always wondered why sometimes my power steering would feel like it's binding when I'm sitting still in my steep driveway - with my foot buried into the brake pedal

Mar 24, 2005 | 02:09 PM

wolffee

Elder User

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 790

Likes: 1

From: Fort. Lauderdale FL,

I cant say for sure on an 05 mine is an 04 but i havent heard that they changed anything in that system from year to year. If its all the same then that would be the reason. Its not to be concerned with ford told me and it does make alot of sense why the wheel would have a loss of power steering if it needs the hydro asst. but your using it to hold the brakes... makes sense but still it should have 2 i think one for each.

Ryan

Mar 24, 2005 | 02:46 PM

EnviroCon

Postmaster

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 2,646

Likes: 1

From: Milky Way Galaxy

Ryan- I'm pretty sure you're right about the steering mechanics. I remember reading a TSB about steering column noises. One of the checks they recommended was the hydraulic line that runs from the brake hydro boost to the steering system. But completely locking-up the system? I can see it making it hard to move, if the systems low on pressure from brake usuage, but that sounds like something may have come loose and physically prevented the steering (wheels, column, tie-rod, drag link, etc) from being turned. This one's kind of a mystery. The only other reason I can think of to cause the steering wheel to not want to move is the ignition lock.

Mar 24, 2005 | 02:56 PM

dsweger

Senior User

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 248

Likes: 0

Is it possible that the steering column ignition lock was hung up?

Mar 24, 2005 | 03:12 PM

Delawhere?

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 327

Likes: 0

From: newark,de

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsweger

Is it possible that the steering column ignition lock was hung up?

no the steering column ignition lock was not the problem, the truck was running and his wife had her foot on the brake as some have already said could be part of the problem. The truck was just started and were attempting to move the trailer to remove the chocks and the steering wheel just wouldn't move. After a few movements fore and aft and possibly building up some rpm's the steering wheel again was functional. This has happened on a few occasions but does not happen enough to warrant a service call.
Just would like to understand how the system works so as to know why it does what it does when it does.