Power Steering Problem!!!
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Power Steering Problem!!!
Hey guys, I'm new to the site and in need of help. I just bought a 1979 F150 4x4 with a 460 in it. I'm having mad fits with my power steering. Here's my problem, with the pump full, when I run the engine, I can't turn the steering wheel at all. Then when I turn off the engine, fluid pushes back out the cap. If I add fluid with the engine running, my steering starts to work. I figured I had a bad pump, so I got the pump off of my dads 1978 F100, topped off the fluid, and have the same problem. I've disconnected the return line to check flow and it seems to be flowing fine. I've only tried bleeding the air out once, but it's hard to do when I can't turn the wheel unless I overfill the pump, then the fluid just comes back out of the cap again. I've checked the lines and they're all fine. So do I have a gearbox problem? I don't know anything about steering systems so any help would be awsome.
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Did I mention.....
.....that I'm a newbie, haha, and need all the help I can get? So please guys, help me, I've searched the forums for answers but haven't found a problem quite like mine. So go on, you know you wanna reply!! Thanks in advance.
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Welcome to FTE!
Even with a bad pump you should still be able to turn the wheels. Even with the engine off the wheels should turn. If the problem is the same with both pumps the problem would seem to be elsewhere, possibly with the gearbox.
Even with a bad pump you should still be able to turn the wheels. Even with the engine off the wheels should turn. If the problem is the same with both pumps the problem would seem to be elsewhere, possibly with the gearbox.
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Thanks guys
Well I know the pump isn't bad, I took it off of my dads truck and it was working on there. When I run the truck then turn it off, you can here lots of air realease, and also, when i have it cold and at the full mark, when I turn it on then it sucks the fluid almost completely out of the pump and I have to add some more ATF to even begin trying to get the air out. Even then it will only turn about a half of a turn to the right before it stops, then only about a 1/4 turn to the left. I read on here that it is really hard to get the air out of these so I've kept trying but no luck. Is there anything I can do to check my gearbox? Again thanks guys, I'll add a couple of pics to my gallery for reference if that helps, thanks again.
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Welcome to FTE
You sure that's a 460 engine? If it truely is, it was swapped in, because you couldn't buy an F150 4X4 in 1979 (or 1973/78) with a 460. Since that is true, I wonder what P/S system you have, because that might also have been swapped in.
The 77 thru 1979 F150 4X4 used integral P/S, everything is in the steering box, but some other 4X4 P/S systems are the link type. That means that the steering box is the manual type, and underneath you will have a steering hydraulic ram and control valve.
Follow the P/S hoses from the pump, if they go to the steering gear box, that's the integral type, if they go underneath to a control valve, that's the link type.
Need to verify what type you have before any diagnosis is possible.
You sure that's a 460 engine? If it truely is, it was swapped in, because you couldn't buy an F150 4X4 in 1979 (or 1973/78) with a 460. Since that is true, I wonder what P/S system you have, because that might also have been swapped in.
The 77 thru 1979 F150 4X4 used integral P/S, everything is in the steering box, but some other 4X4 P/S systems are the link type. That means that the steering box is the manual type, and underneath you will have a steering hydraulic ram and control valve.
Follow the P/S hoses from the pump, if they go to the steering gear box, that's the integral type, if they go underneath to a control valve, that's the link type.
Need to verify what type you have before any diagnosis is possible.
Last edited by NumberDummy; Feb 28, 2007 at 12:56 PM.
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Thanks NumberDummy
My hoses do go straight to the pump, I have a pic of my gearbox in my gallery if that helps. The only way I can tell it's a 460 in it is that it has the 7 bolt valve covers on it. As I said before, I'm new to most all of this, so any help would be great. And if more pics would be helpful I can try and put some more up. Thanks again guys, I've learned quite a bit on here already and only been a member for a few days, awsome site!!!
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Ford Parts Specialist
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Ford didn't paint frame rails or steering gearboxes with blue paint, and that's a manual gear..different than the integral p/s type. I see what appears to be some p/s linkage underneath the box.
Looks like a 1973/75 F100 4X4 P/S system from the parts book pics...anyone else want to take a look at his gallary pics?
OP...I know the hoses go to the pump,
what I wanna know is where they GO FROM the pump....looks to me like they go underneath to a control valve.
Looks like a 1973/75 F100 4X4 P/S system from the parts book pics...anyone else want to take a look at his gallary pics?
OP...I know the hoses go to the pump,
what I wanna know is where they GO FROM the pump....looks to me like they go underneath to a control valve.
Last edited by NumberDummy; Feb 28, 2007 at 01:59 PM.
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From: Estes Park
Try jacking the front wheels off the ground, starting the engine and running it while moving the wheels back and forth while adding fluid as it gets low, the problem is most likely a big air bubble. This could take a little time, maybe 15 min to get all the air out. If the pump overflows when you turn the truck off there is still air in it. if that happens let it sit for a while and start the process over. I have had good luck doing it this way, I also try to use PS fluid instead of ATF, it seems not to foam as much. See if this helps, Jesse.
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NumberDummy, the hoses come straight from my pump to the gearbox. They don't go anywhere else. Pressure line comes from the pump to the gearbox and the return line goes from the gearbox to the pump.
LOWBOY1979, That's the one thing I haven't done yet, I think I'll go do that now and see were that gets me. Hopefully I'll have some luck, if it's an air bubble, it must be a doozie!! Thanks guys.
LOWBOY1979, That's the one thing I haven't done yet, I think I'll go do that now and see were that gets me. Hopefully I'll have some luck, if it's an air bubble, it must be a doozie!! Thanks guys.
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Hallelujah!!!
I finally got it guys!! I got the front tires off the ground and just kept working the wheel and finally have power steering!!! Thanks to all you guys for the help given, it's really appreciated. I'm a happy camper now, haha!!
