Newbie Bronco question
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Newbie Bronco question
Hello all, I just picked up my new project. It's a 72' F100 on a 78' Bronco frame. The frame and drive train are stock bronco parts. My question is, what would cause the power steering fluid to bubble out of the cap once the rig is shut off? I suspect possibly a bad line building back pressure up but not for sure. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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At first it did work good, but by the time i got home I was turning to the left with out power steering. Turning to the left is very hard but I do have decent power assist to the right. The guy I bought it from had just put fluid in it because he said it was low.
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Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Mountville PA
I ruined a power streering box and pump when I changed fluid one time because I ran power streering fluid in it, ford calls out trans fluid type F in the service manual. The steering acted real weird like you couldn't turn it then the seal in box went out I got a new box and that did the same thing they told me I didn't get the air out but I played with that thing for a while and took it back and they honored the warranty on it and I got a new box this time I did a little research before putting it in when I used the trans fluid everything went great except I put a old trans cooler and filter in the line since they were above the cap every time you turned the motor off the fluid would rise and overflow out the cap. this was a long time ago one of those things you call a learning experience.
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most dont have the cooler unless u have the heavy duty cooling option with the big radiator try trans fluid in it make sure all air is out turn wheel both ways against locks and should bleed all air out
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Cargo Master
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From: Sand GAp, KY
Kinda sounds like the valveing in the box may be about shot. This has happened to me before and some times it would work some times not. Finally bought a new box and that fixed it for good. You are right about the type f fluid though. I still use it in my power steering box on my 88 works better than the clear high dollar stuff lol. If you do change the box make sure to drain the pump and lines before adding the type f fluid they don't mix so well.
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So I need to switch to tranny fluid as a start sounds like. Do you just pull the line off to drain the system, and how do you get the fluid out of the box? Is there a way to find out for sure if the valving is bad?
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Gateway to the West
You can "hand wind" the fluid out of the box but don't let the engine drive it, you run the risk of cavitating the pump if the previous issues you described haven't already done so.
The fluid issue is simple, regular PS fluid lacks the viscosity that the Ford PS pump was designed to operate with. The Ford unit has both an aluminum casing and an aluminum impeller and with the wrong viscosity fluid, you either overheat the unit or you never get enough pressure. Either will eventually cause damage to the pump. The fact that both the casing and impeller are made of a relatively soft aluminum alloy makes them susceptible significant damage in a very short period of time if the fluid level is low, the unit overheats, or the wrong fluid is employed. (Everyone knows how to tell when an old Ford pulls up next to you... the PS whines and growls at you)!
The fluid issue is simple, regular PS fluid lacks the viscosity that the Ford PS pump was designed to operate with. The Ford unit has both an aluminum casing and an aluminum impeller and with the wrong viscosity fluid, you either overheat the unit or you never get enough pressure. Either will eventually cause damage to the pump. The fact that both the casing and impeller are made of a relatively soft aluminum alloy makes them susceptible significant damage in a very short period of time if the fluid level is low, the unit overheats, or the wrong fluid is employed. (Everyone knows how to tell when an old Ford pulls up next to you... the PS whines and growls at you)!
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Update: I rebuilt the power steering pump with not so good results...after the rebuild i had NO power steering at all. I got a new spool valve and replaced it only to end up back to where I originally started with power assist to the right and nothing to the left.
I have also switched to trans fluid and I am getting a very bubbly fluid almost foamy looking after I drive the truck for a bit. I have also checked the pressure line for clogs and replaced the return line with all new. I am wondering if pump is bad and aerating the fluid rather than fully pressurizing it through the box..
Any more thoughts at this point???
I have also switched to trans fluid and I am getting a very bubbly fluid almost foamy looking after I drive the truck for a bit. I have also checked the pressure line for clogs and replaced the return line with all new. I am wondering if pump is bad and aerating the fluid rather than fully pressurizing it through the box..
Any more thoughts at this point???
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Gateway to the West
Sounds like it's just time to bit the bullet and go with a new pump. The aeration is a symptom of a cavitated pump or a LOT of air still trapped in the system.
No one wants to hear that I know but it beats chasing this problem around.
From my personal standpoint, I would take the opportunity to consider doing a Saginaw swap. The pump is of better construction and will handle the strain of swinging tires around under your 72/78 a lot better. The Saginaw unit was used in the Econoline vans so finding one for a Ford shouldn't bee too tough. Bracketry could be depending upon the engine you have.
No one wants to hear that I know but it beats chasing this problem around.
From my personal standpoint, I would take the opportunity to consider doing a Saginaw swap. The pump is of better construction and will handle the strain of swinging tires around under your 72/78 a lot better. The Saginaw unit was used in the Econoline vans so finding one for a Ford shouldn't bee too tough. Bracketry could be depending upon the engine you have.