I have a 76' F-250 4x4, I'm haveing problems with the power steering pump going out about every eight months, I've tried changing different brands, but I still have the same problem. I was told that if I flushed out the system it might help. Is this true and if so, how do I go about doing so.
Thanks for your help.
Matt

 

There are many things that may cause a steering pump to fail. Have you ever taken apart one of your bad pumps to see what went wrong? Doing so would help to diagnose the problem. If the bearing is failing, then you may have the belt too tight. If there are scratches on the ring and end plates, then you may have a contamination problem. If the seals are eroding, then you may have the wrong type of oil in it. Does the oil have a "burnt" smell to it, does the pump run hot to the touch? Look for something that may cause excessive heat such as a kinked hose or missing cooler. If the fluid is milky then water is getting in somehow. If it is foamy, then the oil level is too low. All three oil conditions reduce its lubricity and accelerate pump wear.I have heard that vehicles with oversize tires also have premature pump failure. Their solution is a larger cooler and they use a Saginaw pump. Is this the other brand that you said you tried? There is a picture of one at www.winchesplus.com. Most "4wheelers" swear by them, in fact they use them to power their hydraulic winches.

 

like m has made some good points. It caused me to wonder if you or someone had altered the cooling return line. There should be a longer and zig - zaging line to cool the fluid before returning to the pump