Hi,

I have a 2001 Excursion XLT 4X4 7.3 diesel. I have always thought it steered "heavy" but have never given it much thought. I actually gets tiring to drive after a while.

My son recently bought a 2000 F250 quad cab, same drive train. I have noticed when driving it, it is much easier to steer. (I have compared his to my Honda Accord in ease!) My tires are stock, his are larger.

Also, the other day, I had the Ex. sitting nose down in a driveway while I changed the tranny cooler--put on a 6 liter---much bigger. When I finished the job and started the rig up, I had no power steering! Shut off, checked everything, including fluid level, which was OK, then started up--everything was normal!

I am starting to think I am losing the PS pump, but not sure. Anybody have any ideas?

Thx,
Lew

 

The effort on my X is also pretty high, a ford person told me once that it was done that way from the factory to help control the vehicle better @ highway
speeds.

live long and prosper

 

Thanks--and interesting.

Has anyone else tried comparing the PS on an Ex to a F250? Seems it would be the same, but that was also the time when Ford was getting hit with the Explorer rollover problems.

Lew

 

Maybe your steering box is adjusted too tight???

 

Assuming that this is the same design as the '03 there is a single pump for both brake boost and power steering. And going slow with brake pressed doesn't leave a whole lot of pressure for the steering. *Edit* After testing last night with a full resevoir this statement is not correct. The pump when properly filled does produce enough pressure at idle.

The pump also seems to be finicky about fluid level. Just an ounce or two low and it starts grumbling. If you checked the fluid with the vehicle not level you may not have an accurate reading.

 

As far as I know, the design is the same--my pump works for both brakes and steering.

It is possible that the pump may have gulped some air when I started it, as it was pointed downward. When I checked the fluid level, I had moved the X to a level surface. It was at the top of the normal range for cold fluid. The incident I mentioned (no PS when I started it) was the only time in the 6 years I have owned the rig that I didn't have power steering. And, it came right back.

The X has always seemed heavy in its steering though--I just assumed it was the nature of the beast. When I first drove my son's F250 I was surprised how light it steered.

As far as the tightness of the box is concerned, a friend who drove it last summer noted that there is a bit of looseness that is common with Superduty trucks on my X.

Thanx,

Lew

 

The v-10 uses the pump just for the steering. My steering wheel has no slop at all.

 

The Hydroboost is sensitive to fluid level and quality - also, if you have any air in the system you will see decreased performance. If you have the original fluid in the system, I would recommend you flush it out and ensure you bleed completely to remove the air. Use a good ATF - I'd recommend synthetic.

 

My EX is overly easy and sensitive to the touch.
Greg

 

They should be comfortable but not as light as a little sports car.