I have a 02 F250 power stroke, at parking lot speeds it seems to have little to no powersteering, it always happens at the wordt times. I was told that the pumps are not big enough for theese trucks, can anyone give me some advise as to what is going on or what I can do to remedy this problem.

 

well first off, welcome to FTE!

did you check your fluid level to make sure it is good? it is located under the hood , in line with the serpentine belt, on the left-most pulley. also, do you have over size tires? that could cause alot more restriction, and can be remedied by a hydraulic ram assist steering. good luck.

 

Flush the fluid with new Synthetic ATF. Get 3 quarts. Pull the low pressure return line off the front of the hydroboost unit by the master cyl. It's the one with a sheet metal clamp and goes down to the actual pump. Run a 4-5 foot section of tubing of some sort over the fender and into a bucket or catch can. Siphon the old fluid out of the pump reservoir. Have someone run the engine, working the steering back and forth as you keep the reservoir on the pump full of new ATF. They also need to slowly pump the brakes as they use the same fluid in the hydrobooster as well. Once good red stuff is coming out, you're done. The old stuff was nasty on mine. For the next few nights, keep your tires turned all the way one way overnight, then all the way another way the next night. That will help get the air out of the system.

It usually breathes new life into the system. Another thing to keep in mind is get your tires turned the way you need them when you pull into a parking spot. It is much easier to do when warm and moving. When you come back out you should be able to just start to reverse and go. I make sure I get things aligned at night and I'm good to go in the morning. I flushed mine for the first time at 150,000 and now have over 170,000. Mine is hurting, but is back to about 95% after the flushie.

 

i 2 have this problem with my 2000 superduty. i notice it the most when backing out of a parking spot and when i put my foot on the brake i cannot dry steer my pu. i talked to a ford mechanic friend of mine and i am not the only one with this problem, but that ford doesn't have solution yet. anyone out there with the same problem and what are you doing about.

ray

 

This problem is very common. The powersteering also operates the brakes, so if the fluid is low then there isn't enough pressure to operate both. There are some manufacturers that make aftermarket pumps that have more than enough pressure for the trucks even if the trucks are lifted. Like the above recommendations, make sure the fluid is new and full.

 

i,m having same prob on my 2001 f350 psd 7.3 I have a apointment with ford on tuesday to get my ball joints done and i am going to be giving them the gears about the powerstering prob.i'll try and let ya guys know what was siad next weekend.

 

I replaced my gear box twice. Now when I apply the brakes it looses all powersteering. I don't know what to do. I followed all steps of bleeding procedures. No obvious air bubbles in resavior. PLEASE HELP.

 

i have the same problem with my 2001 5.4. when sitting still i can't turn the wheel much till moving.

 

Guys-

I put a new pump on a month or so ago. It didn't help much at all with the steering. It helped the brakes a lot though.

Yesterday I bumped the front tires up to 65 psi (from about 40...) and it turns a lot better at low to no speed.

My tips (in order of importance) for good low speed steering:
1. High air pressure
2. Good ball joints
3. New ATF
4. Steering box? (Don't know, still using the original one)