Strange Steering Problem
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,326
Likes: 48
From: Middle TN
Strange Steering Problem
I have a 79 f250 4x4. Lately, when my truck is cold, my power steering is acting up.
When I start down the road the power steering pulls the truck the right for only a half a second about 4 times a minute until the truck warms up.
At first I thought I had a bad wheel bearing or to much toe out and the wheels were trying to follow the slope or groove in the road but not so. Everything is tight and in spec.
After about 5 minutes it warms up and completed disappears and drives normal.
It's getting stronger and more irritating.
It feels like someone is tugging the steering wheel to the right and turning it about an inch before letting go, several times a minute.
Is this the power steering gear starting to go out?
A valve in the gearbox sticking?
Anyone ever had this happen?
When I start down the road the power steering pulls the truck the right for only a half a second about 4 times a minute until the truck warms up.
At first I thought I had a bad wheel bearing or to much toe out and the wheels were trying to follow the slope or groove in the road but not so. Everything is tight and in spec.
After about 5 minutes it warms up and completed disappears and drives normal.
It's getting stronger and more irritating.
It feels like someone is tugging the steering wheel to the right and turning it about an inch before letting go, several times a minute.
Is this the power steering gear starting to go out?
A valve in the gearbox sticking?
Anyone ever had this happen?
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
From: horton, ks
my 76 does the same thing you describe. except it does it all the time so i have just gotten used to it. it gets bad enough on bumpy or uneven roads that it gets to the point where it literally throws you all over the road. hope you find out what it is cuz i know its irritating lol.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 754
Likes: 3
From: Idaho
What I have found to be the problem is two things the wonderful power steering pumps that ford made! are a vane style pump, they eat the vanes up and all that crap ends up in the steering gear. the fix take your steering gear apart and clean it out of all the crap that's built up in it, then take the pump off run over it with pavement roller so your never temped to use it again and replace it with a saginaw, yes you can use them they came on van's the hard part to find is the mounting bracket on the pump it's self the the one that mounts to the engine is the same. now when buying the seal kit for the gear (through napa) the one I use is for a 76 lincoln seems to be the only one with the correct seals. and tada no more steering probs,also I would be remiss if I didnt tell you it could just be your pump not building enough pressure when cold this also happens
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,326
Likes: 48
From: Middle TN
Thanks guys, this is good detailed info.
My pump has been whining so this is probably due to some of the vanes broken or damaged and have lodged in the gear. Now I know exactly what to do.
Good tip on finding seals also......thanks Alan
My pump has been whining so this is probably due to some of the vanes broken or damaged and have lodged in the gear. Now I know exactly what to do.
Good tip on finding seals also......thanks Alan
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,326
Likes: 48
From: Middle TN
I saw in a thread early this week to use Saginaw pump 20-6244.
Anyone know for sure if Saginaw 20-6244 will fit my stock bracket on my 79 or do I still have to come up with a new bracket????
Anyone know for sure if Saginaw 20-6244 will fit my stock bracket on my 79 or do I still have to come up with a new bracket????
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Rainy Washington
also I think you can modify the stock bracket.
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Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,326
Likes: 48
From: Middle TN
That would kind of make sense but it doesn't have a steering stabilizer.
It's one of the weirdest things I have run across. I feels like someone is reaching over and jerking the steering wheel but only for a split second.
Thanks everyone for your input.....that's what makes the "dent" forum great!!!!!
It's one of the weirdest things I have run across. I feels like someone is reaching over and jerking the steering wheel but only for a split second.
Thanks everyone for your input.....that's what makes the "dent" forum great!!!!!
