Power steering binding, high resistance....
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 887
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
Power steering binding, high resistance....
Ihave my 79 ford f-250 4x4.....
I repladed my power streering pump about 4 months ago, because i was having bad resistance, and it felt like there was almost some binding, and high resistance, worse than on a non power steering truck...
This is happening again now, and i dont know if its the pump, or the steering gear box. All steering components are good, not worn. All wheel bearings are new, repacked, and torqued to proper spec. Rag joint is not torn.
There are no unusual noises from the pump, the belt has the right deflection, an there is no aeration in the pump. I have never adjusted the steering gear box, and it is the original factory unit.
Any insight, or similar experiences and solutions are appreciated...
thanks, john
I repladed my power streering pump about 4 months ago, because i was having bad resistance, and it felt like there was almost some binding, and high resistance, worse than on a non power steering truck...
This is happening again now, and i dont know if its the pump, or the steering gear box. All steering components are good, not worn. All wheel bearings are new, repacked, and torqued to proper spec. Rag joint is not torn.
There are no unusual noises from the pump, the belt has the right deflection, an there is no aeration in the pump. I have never adjusted the steering gear box, and it is the original factory unit.
Any insight, or similar experiences and solutions are appreciated...
thanks, john
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,574
Likes: 4
From: Golden, CO
Hey John!
Grant you that my set-up is different, but I did have some problems with the lower bearing in the steering column allowing the steering shaft to deflect; that bearing was gone and the shaft was riding on the plastic housing. When I had to turn the wheel hard or quick, the lower assembly would bind.
The other time it felt strange the sector shaft bushing was worn. Had someone turn the wheel and there was significant lateral play in the sector shaft.
In any case, here's a bump to the top.
Grant you that my set-up is different, but I did have some problems with the lower bearing in the steering column allowing the steering shaft to deflect; that bearing was gone and the shaft was riding on the plastic housing. When I had to turn the wheel hard or quick, the lower assembly would bind.
The other time it felt strange the sector shaft bushing was worn. Had someone turn the wheel and there was significant lateral play in the sector shaft.
In any case, here's a bump to the top.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 887
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From: Colorado
Everything worked great after replacing the pump, so thats what ill probobally do...But, something is causing the pumps to go bad...if that is the problem, especially if it only lasted this long.....There is alot of play from the steering gearbox to the steering wheel.....but the steering shaft has no play itsself...feels like the play, and im guessing the problem is likely in the box???also have some clicking sounds from the steering wheel, but thats only with the horn button installed, so i think thats not a related problem....Might be bearings....
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 6
From: SD
Are one of the front joints binding? Have you jacked it up and checked the movement of the balljoints and tierods. I prefer to disconnect the pitman arm and move the wheels from side to side to check for binding. Also like mark a said, could be a bad axle joint that is binding at certain times. Unfortunately, the only way to know for sure is to pull them and check the movement.
If there is a lot of play in the gear box, I would suspect it's the problem, but I always like to rule out the simple/cheap stuff first.
Marty
If there is a lot of play in the gear box, I would suspect it's the problem, but I always like to rule out the simple/cheap stuff first.
Marty
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,544
Likes: 2
From: okc
my 78 F-250 was going through steering pumps like that awhile back, drove me nuts....i figured out the steering joint (little ujoint instead of a rag joint, up by the firewall) was seizing up, juicing it with a little oil cleared it right up..i guess it was too much work for the pumps due to the hard binding, but im not real sure why the pumps failed.....you said you have a rag joint on yours?? i didnt know they put ragjoints on 4x4s...you need to put it up on stands and have someone turn it back and forth, and look at all the parts, whatever is binding will shake a little when it happens....
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 109
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my vote go's for th e little u-joint in the steering shaft up by the fire wall spray it with some wd 40 and turn it a few times see if it loosens up
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Just got done dealing with the same issue. Turned out to be worn (more like totally shot) ball joints. Couldn't tell until I had it jacked up and had the tie rod disconnected to see which side was binding. I had already replaced the tie rod ends and the axle u-joints. Never thought to check the ball joints. Duh! F250 4X4.