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Old Jun 17, 2008 | 06:44 AM
  #1  
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Power Steering

OK lately my truck has been making a noise that sounds like a vacuum leak when I turn to or close to full stop on the steering. It is not whining from the pump that I can tell. On the PSD could it just be a different whining than on other vehicles? I think it happens mostly when in slow parkinglots and such. Could it be a problem in the brake system? I thought I read that the brake booster is a part of the power steering system? I checked the fluid and it is full and didn't smell burnt. Would a flush be a good idea for a starting point? Again thanks in advance for all info.
 
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Old Jun 17, 2008 | 12:07 PM
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Originally Posted by sleek122
OK lately my truck has been making a noise that sounds like a vacuum leak when I turn to or close to full stop on the steering. It is not whining from the pump that I can tell. On the PSD could it just be a different whining than on other vehicles? I think it happens mostly when in slow parkinglots and such. Could it be a problem in the brake system? I thought I read that the brake booster is a part of the power steering system? I checked the fluid and it is full and didn't smell burnt. Would a flush be a good idea for a starting point? Again thanks in advance for all info.
I would definitely flush the power steering. After that every time I do an oil change (twice a year) I draw the fluid out of the reservoir and replace with synthetic ATF. Takes about two minutes to do...
 
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Old Jun 19, 2008 | 07:12 AM
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I plan on flushing the fluid probably next week if time allows. But I am wondering if someone has had this problem before, it sounds like more of a vacuum type sound than a pump or steering rack/box. What about the brake system? Is it apart of the power steering pump some how or am I totally off on this one? It seems the site is slow in the AM for me so I have not been able to search on this.
 
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Old Jun 19, 2008 | 08:37 AM
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Originally Posted by sleek122
What about the brake system? Is it apart of the power steering pump some how or am I totally off on this one? .
You are correct. Our trucks have a "hydro-boost" braking system, that essentially means your braking system utilizes your power steering pump and the hydraulic pressure for break assist.

I'm not sure about the vacuum sound. Do you have the push button 4wd on your truck?
 
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Old Jun 19, 2008 | 08:48 AM
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Originally Posted by Smokin'
You are correct. Our trucks have a "hydro-boost" braking system, that essentially means your braking system utilizes your power steering pump and the hydraulic pressure for break assist.

I'm not sure about the vacuum sound. Do you have the push button 4wd on your truck?
Yes I do have the ESOF on my truck, it's a **** not a button. I will check to see if it is working properly. I only hear the vacuum sound when I am turning the wheel at lower speeds. Seems to happen more when there is more of a load on the system.
 
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Old Jun 19, 2008 | 08:54 AM
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Originally Posted by sleek122
Yes I do have the ESOF on my truck, it's a **** not a button. I will check to see if it is working properly. I only hear the vacuum sound when I am turning the wheel at lower speeds. Seems to happen more when there is more of a load on the system.
I dont have ESOF..never seen it...never taken the time to look at it on another truck, either..sorry, didnt know it was a ****....but at least I got my point across. I would see if you have a vacuum leak there, as far as I know that would be your only source of any kind of vacuum in that vicinity.
 
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Old Jun 19, 2008 | 09:06 AM
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just saw that your truck was a '99. Seems there has been a TSB on the vacuum in those trucks with ESOF.

Date: 10/01/2004
Component Name: 033100 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
NHTSA #: 18223
SUMMARY: VACUUM PUMP INOPERATIVE OR RUNS CONTINUOUSLY - CLIMATE CONTROL DEFAULTS TO DEFROST. OASIS. TO ALSO INCLUDE 2005 SUPER DUTY F-SERIES, EXCURSION, AND F650/750. *TT
PowerStroke bulletins and parts It's also noted on dieselmann's page.

There are ppl on this site that know a WHOLE LOT MORE about this than I do. Hopefully someone chimes in.
 
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Old Jun 19, 2008 | 09:15 AM
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Once you turn the switch to 4x4, it puts vacuum to the front hub for so many seconds, then the vacuum stops. It does not keep a vacuum on the hubs. When you turn the switch back to 2x4, it puts a little vacuum back to the hubs to get them to release, then stops the vacuum.
 
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Old Jun 19, 2008 | 09:20 AM
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Originally Posted by miller_feed
Once you turn the switch to 4x4, it puts vacuum to the front hub for so many seconds, then the vacuum stops. It does not keep a vacuum on the hubs. When you turn the switch back to 2x4, it puts a little vacuum back to the hubs to get them to release, then stops the vacuum.
Tnx Rick. Thats why I opted for a truck with manual hubs. Less stuff to worry about. If something was inoperable could it cause a vacuum sound, like sleek has been describing?

Sleek I also found this when I did a search:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/4...ake-pedal.html

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/2...depressed.html
 
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Old Jun 19, 2008 | 09:26 AM
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Originally Posted by Smokin'
Tnx Rick. Thats why I opted for a truck with manual hubs. Less stuff to worry about. If something was inoperable could it cause a vacuum sound, like sleek has been describing?

Sleek I also found this when I did a search:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/2...depressed.html
No, Lisa, what he is hearing is not a vacuum leak. There is no link between the steering and the vacuum pump. I think he is hearing the pump working as he turns the steering wheel.
 
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Old Jun 22, 2008 | 06:08 PM
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Quick update, My 4x4 is not engaging in auto mode so that might be part of the problem. I will keep everyone updated when I find out what this is exactly. Thanks Smokin for pointing that out and for the links.
 
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Old Jun 23, 2008 | 08:07 AM
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I tested my truck this weekend, and turning the steering wheel, I hear the same sound you hear just before you hit the max turn. It does sound like a vacuum leak, but it is not.

Maybe some else can confirm this by doing the same test.
 
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Old Jun 23, 2008 | 08:14 AM
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Originally Posted by miller_feed
I tested my truck this weekend, and turning the steering wheel, I hear the same sound you hear just before you hit the max turn. It does sound like a vacuum leak, but it is not.

Maybe some else can confirm this by doing the same test.
Will do it in a few minutes and report back.
 
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Old Jun 23, 2008 | 08:29 AM
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Well it sounds like every other power steering pump I have ever heard when you turn it close to the stop. It has a "psssshhhhhhhttt" sound. Nothing unusual in my mind.
 
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Old Jun 23, 2008 | 08:48 AM
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Originally Posted by HKusp
Well it sounds like every other power steering pump I have ever heard when you turn it close to the stop. It has a "psssshhhhhhhttt" sound. Nothing unusual in my mind.

Thanks Jason. I can't imagine where a vacuum leak would come from just by turning the steering wheel.
 
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