Hey Guys:

I have not posted in a while but I am always checking the forum and learning..

Ok.. My 1988 Aerostar's power steering pump was squeaking the other day.
Now it sounds like a turbo charger!! and the steering is like there is no power steering....

So a little history of this van:

It has a 1991 Ford Ranger 4.0 v6 in it..

I am trying to figure out if this pump is the aerostar pump or the ranger pump.

What do you guys think???


Thanks in Advance

 

They both use the same pump, which is pretty much universal on all Fords of that vintage. I assume you checked the fluid level in the reservoir? The fluid goes in nice reddish color but turns dark over time. While dark is okay, it should not be muddy looking. This would mean you have fluid contamination and a system flush is necessary. There is a "how-to" sticky at the top of the forum on this.

Since you describe no/hard steering effort there is likely very low fluid level. If so, use the integrated dipstick in the reservoir cap and bring the fluid level up to par. You may have air trapped in the system at this point which must be expunged. To do this, slowly turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock several times, but do NOT hold the steering wheel in the locked position for more than 1 ro 2 seconds. If this quiets the pump fine. Drive it awhile and see what happens.

If the pump continues to squeal and screech, the bearing or internal components may be damaged and a rebuild/new pump is in order. If you are a fair to middling mechanic, you can do this yourself with some good tips from this forum. It looks pretty straightforward in the repair manuals, but like everything else, there are things you need to know beforehand to make the job go easy. If you get to that point, post back for help and/or do a search on this forum for more background reading on P/S pump.

(on edit: Okay, I lied, there is no "how-to" sticky on P/S flush....I could have sworn there was......maybe it was the tranny flush I was thinking of. )

ps: Thanks for the photo if gives us loads of info to work with.

 

aerocolorado:

Thanks for the reply..

Yes the power steering went out... There is no power steering.

I picked up a used one today,,, for $20.. Plan on putting it in either Sunday or Monday.
I will update you guys.

 

Ok I looked at it and read the manual...

They are talking about getting a special puller and presser tools to remove / install the pulley.. I am sure I can rent it from a auto parts store...

Is there any other way for to get the pulley removed / installed with regular tools????

Thanks

 

No, you need that special puller due to space limitations. The same tool set is used for both removal and installation.

You are right, most stores rent them, but do not leave the store without looking at the threaded bolts in the puller set. If you see any with threads that look stripped, ask for another set - they usually keep several on hand. It takes quite a bit of torque to get the pulley both on and off the shaft. The puller sets are usually cheap import stuff and as a result, many sets are pretty beat up from rental use. The pulley is a composite plastic affair, only the hub is steel, prying against it is a big no, no.

The manuals don't say this, but measure exactly the pulley position relative to the cast aluminum mount to be certain you re-install the pulley the same distance. Otherwise, your pulley will not be in alignment with the rest of the serpentine belt system. Being off by just a little will cause the serpentine belt to try and "walk" the pulley shaft either outward or inward (depending which way it is off). This puts a lot of undue stress on the pump bearing.

One last word. The high pressure fitting is supposed to be a wobbly, loose fit to the pump body by design. This prevents vibration/engine movement fracture. Do not attempt to tighten the fitting to make it a solid mount.

 

stock pump is not so good. better use Saginaw pump. but they have a bit different fittings... (pulleys are easy to find on JY). I pulled out pressure limiting valve and mashined it a bit. difference was 1 mm. In Europe ford used Saginaw pumps with 2.8 and 2.9 engines and on transit vans too. Still work.

 

Thanks for the info... Great tips...

 

Thanks... cash is tight!!! So.... I know Saginaw pumps are the best...

 

really best. week point of saginaw pumps is seals, but it is easy to change and seals are cheap. Saginaw pumps are not so noisy like stock ford pumps.

Well, a picture....


Ouh, people say that mounts for saginav pumps on vulcan are available, PS hoses too, so try to look for.

 

i'm not one who did it.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...1993-aero.html

 

Pablo_ua:

Yes I understand they are better and agree with you..
I did see that thread too..

But like I said before: " cash is tight!!! "

 

Ok:

I got the old one out... Can they make it any tighter under the hood!!!

As I was installing the new USED one, I notice some white foam coming out of the non-pressure line..

FYI: Prior to the old pump dying... I was noticing the fluid was foaming at times.. When I noticed it, I would suck out the fluid out of the pump and put new fluid in.... It would be fine for a month or two...

There was a thread about the drain from the windshield dumping right onto the pump... We had much rain the last few months, and this vehicle sits more then it should. (3rd vehicle)

 

it is funny but I got this pump for $20 on JY..... I had to change seal only.

 

That figures!!! My Luck.... Of course mine will run forever!!!

So what is ' JY '? Never mind is that Junk Yard???

 

Sounds like water in the Mercon. You could try the "pop can" trick! Also look at the breather hole it should face to the lower half of the cap, water cannot get through the breather hole that way, as it drains before it reaches the hole. Also check the O rings in the filler cap. If your flushing you could use synthetic or Mercon V which is a better grade.