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Changed the belt today on my '99 350 after a squeak started. New belt seemed to cure the problem. Checked all the pulleys while the belt was off. The only one with some play was the power steering pump. The pulley moved forward/backwards about 5/32" or under. Is this play normal? It doesn't move off axis just in and out so to speak....Front to back? I'm assuming the power steering pump is original. 145K for mileage and no problems with the pump otherwise.
In and out is ok, if it was wobbleing that much, that's a problem. Shouldn't have any top to bottom or side to side movement. Is it leaking? Noisy?
Sounds good...cool.
Just in and out (front of the truck to the back of the truck). No noise...seems like it was just the belt. Belt didn't look too bad to me, but I just go the truck about a month ago not sure how old the belt was.
Pump seems fine. I get the slightest drag in the steering when I first start up the truck, but that goes away after the first time the wheel is touched.
Actually it ATF. You can do it fairly easily. It will take 3-4 qts, get 4 to be sure. Ford ATF fluid or suitable syn ATF. I went for the syn fluid. Pull the return line off of you hydro booster(line run in to top of reservoir). Attach a clear hose of similar size, long enough to go into a gallon jug on the ground or in hand. Open lid to reservoir, using a LONG neck funnel, with engine running, have someone slowly turn the wheels and pump the brakes while you add the fluid. You need the long neck filter to prevent the fan from blowing fluid all over the place. some where around 2.5-3 qts, you will see the fluid starting to turn the pretty shade of new fluid, keep adding until you get a good flow of new fluid. Stop engine, replace return line, fill to full mark and your done. This way you don't get any air in the system and should notice a difference right away.
Actually it ATF. You can do it fairly easily. It will take 3-4 qts, get 4 to be sure. Ford ATF fluid or suitable syn ATF. I went for the syn fluid. Pull the return line off of you hydro booster(line run in to top of reservoir). Attach a clear hose of similar size, long enough to go into a gallon jug on the ground or in hand. Open lid to reservoir, using a LONG neck funnel, with engine running, have someone slowly turn the wheels and pump the brakes while you add the fluid. You need the long neck filter to prevent the fan from blowing fluid all over the place. some where around 2.5-3 qts, you will see the fluid starting to turn the pretty shade of new fluid, keep adding until you get a good flow of new fluid. Stop engine, replace return line, fill to full mark and your done. This way you don't get any air in the system and should notice a difference right away.
This worked well for me. I had the wife work the brakes and cycle the steering to continue the flush. Turned out to be messy after I spilled while filling. But it made a very noticable change in the pump whine. You are correct. BE SURE TO USE THE CORRECT FLUID. A shop added normal power steering fluid to mine after changing out the transmission. This almost destroyed the pump.
This worked well for me. I had the wife work the brakes and cycle the steering to continue the flush. Turned out to be messy after I spilled while filling. But it made a very noticable change in the pump whine. You are correct. BE SURE TO USE THE CORRECT FLUID. A shop added normal power steering fluid to mine after changing out the transmission. This almost destroyed the pump.
Notice I said in my post to use a LLOOONNNGGG neck funnel. I started with a regular funnel and seen very quickly that wasn't going to work. Found an old blue funnel that had about a 30" neck on it. Cleaned it up and wa-la no more mess.