Can someone please tell me what this component of the steering system is, and where to find one...? I have had this truck since March, and it has always had a leak in the power steering, but it went from tolerable drip to literally squirting in a very short amount of time. I know it is leaking from here I just don't know where to get a new one or get this one repaired. I appreciate the help.

 

Welcome to FTE! It's called a control valve. I had that setup on my 75 F-100 4x4. I am guessing yours is a f250 going by your username. I bought a rebuilt one from Lares Manufacturing back in 98. They are here in Mn. That one lasted about 4 years then it started leaking too. I got pretty good at rebuilding it. I think there were 4 o-rings, 2 on each side that I can remember. Wasn't hard to take apart. I had the treads counted on the tie rod side so I could get it in the same place. It would last for a few months then start leaking again. I bought another one from Lares and it leaked bad right away. Couldn't find any new ones made anymore and so I gave up and converted to a power steering box setup. I think it cost me around 6 or $700 but I never drove any better than now. If yours is a F250 it is a little different setup than mine but someone on here could help you either way. Hope this helps.

 

[QUOTE= I bought a rebuilt one from Lares Manufacturing back in 98. They are here in Mn. That one lasted about 4 years then it started leaking too. I got pretty good at rebuilding it. I think there were 4 o-rings, 2 on each side that I can remember. Wasn't hard to take apart. I had the treads counted on the tie rod side so I could get it in the same place. It would last for a few months then start leaking again. I bought another one from Lares and it leaked bad right away.

"Couldn't find any new ones made anymore"

No kiddin? Several companies other than Lares Corp rebuild these items. Plus, there is a lot more to the rebuild than just replacing "4" O'rings.

Lares corp left you hanging? I have nothing to do with that company other than buying my steering componets over 12 years ago for my 76 F250 with no issues, leaks etc. This includes the steering cylinder, control valve and gearbox. I have recommended them to my family and on this site, no one has reported that they have had the issues you have written about. You stated you bought another, second control valve from Lares and it leaked right away. Did They give your money back?

 

I would have thought so, too...

Look at the right side of the photo and you'll see it has front coil springs. I'm guessing it's an F-100.

 

I believe that's a Garrison style control valve, not to be confused with the Bendix style control valve. There are quite a few places out there that rebuild them or sell reman'd units for $300 plus around a $300 core charge.

 

[quote=Riderman;9044081][quote= I bought a rebuilt one from Lares Manufacturing back in 98. They are here in Mn. That one lasted about 4 years then it started leaking too. I got pretty good at rebuilding it. I think there were 4 o-rings, 2 on each side that I can remember. Wasn't hard to take apart. I had the treads counted on the tie rod side so I could get it in the same place. It would last for a few months then start leaking again. I bought another one from Lares and it leaked bad right away.

"Couldn't find any new ones made anymore"

No kiddin? Several companies other than Lares Corp rebuild these items. Plus, there is a lot more to the rebuild than just replacing "4" O'rings.

Lares corp left you hanging? I have nothing to do with that company other than buying my steering componets over 12 years ago for my 76 F250 with no issues, leaks etc. This includes the steering cylinder, control valve and gearbox. I have recommended them to my family and on this site, no one has reported that they have had the issues you have written about. You stated you bought another, second control valve from Lares and it leaked right away. Did They give your money back?[/QUOTE]



I was looking for a new one, not rebuilt. The last one I got from Lares they used some kind of epoxy to fill the pits on the inner shaft where the o-rings seal on. That epoxy wore off and that is why I had to replace the o-rings every few months. It was like 7 years ago but these valves are very simple inside. They just port fluid from one side to the other depending on the steering input. I did get my money back for the last valve. Not my core, can't remember why. I tried to sell them my box and power cylinder too but they only wanted to give $15 for them. I was at thier shop in Mn. I ended up selling the other parts on line for around $150. The power cylinder never leaked. The new Power steering box from a 79 bronco works much better but you have to have a different worm gear put in or it will steer backwards. The steering shafts are in different places on these trucks. One in front of the wheels and one behind.

 

I used the vin search, the vin pops up with 74 F-XXX, but the axles are 3/4 ton, and all of the documentation i have on the truck (which isn't much) says the same. Thanks for the info, its much appreciated.

 

Well that could be the common case of a door swap over the years and no one bothered to change the VIN tags. To get the VIN true to the truck, it should be stamped on the frame on the passenger side somewhere around the shock mount to the firewall. With that said, what makes you think you have 3/4 ton axles? Post your VIN and info on the warranty plate and somebody should be able to decode it.