Hello to the board,

We just purchased a 2003 F250 7.3 diesel 4X4 wih 140,000 miles. It is a nice truck! Here is our problem. When your going slow, like pullin in or out of a small parking spot, you tend to loose power steering. So much so that if your not moving, or giving it gas with your foot on the brake, it will NOT turn at all! I spoke to the ford man in our town and he says it is just something that happens! They don't know why. A new pump "might" help, but not for long. He says it is just a "2 footed" truck. (keep one foot on the brake and one on the gas in a tight spot) Has anyone else encountered this problem? Is there a real fix for it?

Thanks so much,

 

First off, welcome to FTE. I don't think the ford guy you mentioned knows what he is talking about. Anything can be fixed. Maybe someone who has had this problem will chime in.

 

Welcome, gjcst!
Ok. Go find that ford guy again, and give him a swift kick to the genitals. No vehicle shoud require 2 feet to get the steering to work at low speeds.
We need more info about your rig. Do you have the stock tire size? Oversized tires make the p/s system work alot harder. It sounds to me like your pump is about to give up on you. I am sure more knowledgeable folks will be along shortly to offer more help.

 

Does this happen when you are going slow with your foot off the brake or only when you have the brakes applied? The PSD trucks all have heavy steering when slow/at a standstill with the brakes applied. It is because the power steering pump provides power assistance to both the brakes and the steering.

 

Thanks for the welcome!!


I am no truck lady!! I'm just the mom! lol

This was bought for our 17 year old daughter...rodeo girl! Hauls trailers every weekend and many days during the week.

OK, if I did it right, the tire size is LT265-75R16. Is that right?

It had upper & lower ball joints replaced in May of this year, new brakes at the same time! Tranmission had been serviced regularly! We pulled the ford records on it while I was talking to the ford guy! Truck was well maintained. I"m just hoping this isn't something that might be dangerous for my daughter.

Thanks again!!

 

If the power steering is working intermittently it is dangerous, especially if it stops turning. It does sound like either the pump or the steering box. if it doesn't turn for two feet it makes it sound like the steering box, if its hard to turn for two feet I would say it sounds more like the pump.

 

Check your power steering fluid level and your serpentine belt, but like other have suggested I would say your power steering pump is bad.

 

Mine is doing the same exact thing for the second time in 150,000 miles. Kind of frustrating. Makes pulling out of a parking spot rather difficult. The first time I replaced the pump and that fixed it. Looks like I'll have to do the same again.

 

I wonder if they produced some bad ones during that time frame. 02' & 03' mentioned already. My 2000 ahs 142k on it and no problems, knock on wood. I even run 35s.

 

Super Duty power steering pumps are not the greatest to begin with. The Power Stroke trucks have the additional load of supplying power for the power (hydro boost) brakes.

Seems like this happens on a daily basis, but it just amazes me what some mechanics will say to get out of fixing a vehicle. If you think about it, what he is saying is that Ford sold a truck that doesn't always turn when you want it to turn.

 

And since it ties into the brakes too, that makes it more dangerious.

 

One thing I have to mention, something I've read on here a few years back, and experience myself all the time.

When I have my foot on the brake and I'm not moving, I can't really turn the steering wheel. Why? Because turning the wheels requires them to roll somewhat because of the geometry of the front-end. As soon as I let off the brake, the steering wheel is free to turn.

With a diesel, and the hydro-boost for the brakes, you have the added strain of the brake power-boost taking pressure away from the steering box.

But seriously, many MANY people had this problem with the SD's, and it has to do with the geometry upfront.

My '01 has done this since brand-new - I just chalked it up to having great brakes

In your case, a new pump might help.

 

I was looking on a web site at a pump that eliminates this problem (it has more pressure.) I can't remember the site. I'll look for it. My wheels turn at a dead stop but I try not to make my truck do that, its hard on the already "overtaxed" pump. Alot of people with really big tires notice this more. The after market pump can be used in conjunction with a Rockram steering assist system. Or something to that effect.

 

I didn't think hydraulic ram type steering was legal for road use, even if it's a ram assist.

 

O.K I found the pump, its at www.agrperformance.com $341+255=$596
sorry it won't paste right
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They also have a slightly upgraded steering box;
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<TABLE cellSpacing=5 cellPadding=3 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width=94> </TD><TD vAlign=top>GearBox - Ford Truck & SUV
Choices for Ford Trucks are very limited. To improve steering performance requires installing a well-built O.E. steering box and a Super Pump. The ultimate performance power steering would be a Rock Ram System. AGR offers premium remanufactured steering boxes to replace the Ford type steering box. Steering boxes manufactured by Ford Motor Co. were never used in any performance or racing applications and no performance and/or modified components were ever produced. A scarcity of certain steering boxes prevents new components from being available. AGR steering boxes are manufactured with the highest quality new parts where available using our proprietary modifications. All core components are thoroughly inspected and reconditioned. This is not your typical remanufactured steering box you get at your local auto part store. This is POWER steering! 66-77 Broncos (R&R only) used a Saginaw type gear. AGR does offer a few ratio / spool valve options for this application, but they are limited. All Ford applications can be modified for the Rock Ram System (a Super Pump must be adapted, see Ford Pumps).</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>