Power Assist Rocks!!
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,011
Likes: 232
Power Assist Rocks!!
What is up with all the neg on power assist. I almost bought into it and never even tried it. Mine was on the blink. I found out why, fixed it and WOW! Works great and still is stock bolt on! It only turned one way with power assist. It was all new and never worked. Well it seems the shop must have greased it when they were rebuilding the front end for me. They have a zerk BUT you are only to greese them every 10,000 mile or so and only one pump. NO GREASE WHEN NEW!! Hope this help others with the same problem. 
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,261
Likes: 15
From: Big Sky Country
I like the power assist steering on a stock truck, the only downside to power assist is the control valve (after years of neglect), the basic issue and what everyone always cries about is they are inherently sloppy, properly adjusted they aren't really bad at all, that's the problem though, the valve requires maintenance and guys don't realize it or just don't do it, they beat the trucks into the ground and never grease the valve or adjust it, the valve itself never wears out, it's just the ballstud and seats in the end of the valve, these parts are cheap and very easy to replace.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,011
Likes: 232
Cross over steering is not needed with power assist. The new thing seems to be to add power assist to the newer power steering boxes as to be able to run bigger tires. This is the first time I have driven a power assist ford truck. I have driven plenty of power steering trucks that wander every where! The control valve is no more money than any of the steering boxes I was quoted to do a change out. I am so glad I did not swap it. I am so supprised at how well it works!! Just do not greese it all the time and when you do a little does a lot and a lot does no better.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 787
Likes: 0
From: Hattiesburg, MS
........lift your truck 4 inches with some flexy leaf springs, and tell me how you like it then.
In stock form, when properly working.......power assist is fine. However, if you have a lifted truck, and actually take it off-road.........crossover is a must.
In stock form, when properly working.......power assist is fine. However, if you have a lifted truck, and actually take it off-road.........crossover is a must.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,011
Likes: 232
Well I do not know about the extra lift and fancy flexy springs. I was refering to the guys that said power assist was bad/sloppy. If you run regular sized tires I think the power assist does a fantastic job with out all the cutting and welding. Now as far as off roading I do not know JACK! Never claim to nor will I ever. The most off roading I do is when I go hunting. Even then I try and not to tear up the roads for the farmers. I built the 428 for the cool factor of it being in a truck, not the norm. Over kill yes, just like my tires that see more pavement than dirt/mud. Cool yes!! Needed on mine, no not really. I just think power assit gets a bad rap most of the time. I was one of them till I got it working and working right. Not hard, just not cheap. If you like the cross over just for the cool factor GREAT! I say that is the fun of the truck! If you need it better yet. It still does not make power assit bad. Just not as good. LOL
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 787
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From: Hattiesburg, MS
I agree with you. The power assist is fine for a stock setup. Swapping the gear box is not worth all the cutting/welding. Personally, I think a "Highboy" is a truck you just leave alone. Keep it the stock height. Keep the FE engine. And don't hack the steering. If you want a truck to customize, then start with a 77.5-79.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Big Sky Country
I couldn't agree more, very well said.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,501
Likes: 5
From: Faibanks Ak.
My highboy still has the power assist steering but it needs a new ram really after only 400,000 miles, they just don't build them like they used to. lol
The fe has been gone in favor of a 6.9 for a lot of years though.
The fe has been gone in favor of a 6.9 for a lot of years though.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,011
Likes: 232
That will get you the ball stud end but not the seal in the valve its self. you also my have pitting on the controle vale inside also. They are suppose to polish on a reman. Not sure if they really do. I bought the kit for the ball stud and ended up using the steal rubber boot covering on my "new" reman. They sent it with just a boot held on with two plastic zip ties. That would not even make it one mud road before it gets mud in the stud! Like I said they are suppose to do. LOL P.S. do not greese a new unit!!! Not much greese in an old one!
New User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Orrville, Ohio
Thank you for the reply. I jumped the gun . I found your info in another reply to someone else. My ball and seat I think are fine but my control valve is leaking through the ball and seat area. Also before I sat down and read a bunch I greased the darn thing and plenty to. So I will clean that out before I take the truck for a ride. I just got my 76 high-boy and well it needs a lot of work. As soon as I get it out of garage I will get some pics I have a 77 cab with the 77 v.i.n and a title with the 76 v.i.n on the title. Taking care of that with Marti. The P.O. pulled engine and dropped a 302 in it. I have no idea what year. Will be changing that when I find out more info on engine. Would like to know what fe means. I am one of those nuts that likes the sound of original or as close as I can get. The front diff needs rebuilt (dana 60 ). I paid to much but it will be a labor of love. Well I will be looking for more info in the future. Thanks again and I am sure you will be helping again
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 790
From: Simi Valley, CA
DOTTS MOTOR CO. in Clearfield PA has ONE = 814-765-9681.
BOB ALLEN FORD in Overland Park KS has ONE = 800-676-0675.
KAHOKA MOTOR CO. in Kahoka MO has ONE = 660-727-2181.
JST AUTOMOTIVE in Lebanon TN has ONE = 615-443-3086.
MILLER OBSOLETE PARTS in Binghamton NY has ONE = 800-546-7278.
GREEN SALES CO. in Cincinnati OH has EIGHT = 800-543-4959.
No other Ford Dealer or obsolete parts vendor has any.
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D4TZ3A650A .. P/S Control Valve Repair & Seal Kit / Use with BENDIX P/S / Obsolete
MILLER OBSOLETE PARTS has ONE.
GREEN SALES CO. has SEVEN.
No Ford Dealer, no other obsolete parts vendor has any.
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CAVEAT EMPTOR = Let the buyer beware.
1974 F250 4WD's from Serial Number T80,001 / 1975/77 F250 4WD (High Boy's) use BENDIX Power Assist P/S.
1973 F250 4WD's, 1974 F250 4WD's before Serial Number T80,001 use GARRISON Power Assist P/S.
GARRISON P/S parts and linkage (control valve, ram cylinder, draglinks and etc) do NOT interchange with BENDIX P/S parts.
These two Power Assist P/S systems are totally different from one another.