Whenever maintenance is performed or a component replaced in the power steering system or transmission (even a hose) it is MANDATORY that you install an inline filter. If you don't, ALL the rest of the components and the new one will fail due to contaminant particles in the fluid. When a component fails, or the system is opened, it releases huge amounts of contaminants into the system. These must be filtered out.

Most replacement PS pumps come with a notice about the filter requirement. Ford requires an inline filter installation in their service proceedures whenever these systems are opened or repaired.

If you run a damaged component with a new one the contamination will ruin the new one very, very, quickly (essentially, for all practical purposes, almost instantly in a PS system). This is one of those times that are like my sig: over!

Flush your lines well with solvent, and consider replacing them also. When you get the system put back together with a filter in it change the filter again after about a week of operation, it is cheap insurance.

Inline filter- Wix #58964 line filters run about $16 each. They are also used on transmission return lines. Use them both places, the filter in a tranny is pretty pathetic.

With hydraulic systems absolute cleanliness is mandatory. The particles that are doing the damage are far to small to be seen by the eye. If you see a particle you have REAL problems!

p.s. I am an Engineer with lots of experience in the design and maintenance of hydraulic systems.

 

I'm getting ready to replace my power steering pump so this advice couldn't have come at a better time. This is someting I had wondered about. Now I not only know what to do, I have the part number as well. Thanks for the post Eric.

Ron

 

Two points here. A.) If the filter is so essential why is it not included in the original design? B.)On P/S systems the entire system is open every time you remove the cover/dipstick to check fluid levels and yet these continue to operate for years with no problems despite all the macro and microscopic particles that manage to get into the fluid.

 

AC -You are correct that checking the fluid does introduce more particles into the system.

The original fluid is filtered at the factory and Ford has determined that they get appropriate service (lasts thru the warranty) from a system in normal use without the filter. Apparently normal checking of the fluid does not introduce enough particles to interfere with the "appropriate service life". Many systems include a suction strainer for the pump inlet for "gross" particles. Ford does specify the use of a filter kit in their TSB's. They also spec a filter for the newer trannies (like E4OD) when work is performed.

Years of life is not as important as hours of operation. When you think about a mobile hydraulic system, like a vehicle PS system, they do not get a whole lot of hours of use. 100,000 miles at an average 50 miles/hour is only 2,000 hours. Industrial hydraulic systems frequently operate 24-5 for 50 weeks per year which puts 6,000 hours per year on them. Mobile systems frequently run at much lower pressures than industrial systems which helps reduce the wear rates.

Whenever a component starts to fail it starts to wear rapidly and huge quantities of metal particles (the worst kind) are released to circulate thru the system. These particles in turn grind more particles out of system components, -a multiplier effect. Even the act of changing a pressure hose releases large quantities of metal particles into the system. These again multiply themselves :-( Most people do not connect a system repair with more failures on down the line (6 months to a year), -the system is just getting "old". Hydraulic systems will run a number of hours even as they are failing. People seldom notice any changes in a PS system before complete failure. With proper care a mobil hydraulic (PS) system should outlast a vehicle by far, even thru a few engine changes :-) A $16 filter is cheap insurance.

 

The filter is a good step, however the only correct way to repair a P/S sys. failure is to replace the failed component then overhaul the others in the system, the steering gear is the "dump point" for all metal in the sys and a dissassembly and cleaning is the only way it will be removed and stopped from circulating in the system.

 

That's right, either rebuild it yourself (if you are skilled and can get the parts) or replace it with a rebuilt unit.

 

The original power steering pumps on FoMoCo had a filter built into them. Take off the cover, and there it was. Pleated and spring loaded in place. The spring sure made putting the cover back on correctly a pain in the posterior. Never did replace one, though. Did take the pump apart and replace the seals. Also fixed the leaking assist cylinder. The chrome plated shaft still got peened by road trash, and the seal got leaky. They (FoMoCo) made a 'kit' that you slipped over the shaft that 'fixed' the leaky cylinder. Later models had a rubber boot that covered the shaft. Was a nasty dirty greasy mean job to fix those things. The shaft always wanted to turn when you wanted to remove the 'shock absorber busings' where it mounted to the frame. They even had a 'kit' for the ball-joint valve assembly that you could use to reseal the valve assembly. You had to turn this big slug back and forth to set the pre-load so that the car didn't want to turn left or right when it was supposed to be going straight. Maybe.

tom