So last saturday afternoon I was on my way to go see a movie then maybe go meet some friends that were house sitting. I decide to take the long way just strech her legs a little then I hear a loud whinning noise...I exit the freeway and pull into a hotel parking lot finding the brakes and steering not responding like they shoud. Everyone knows where I'm going with this one: the power steering pump...

I look below my truck and it looks one of the seals blew and drenched everything. I pour the fluid in and start limping the truck home...on my way home I call Autozone to see just how much a new pump might run me and expect the worst. Here I am thinking they're about to tell me $450 or $500, and they tell me it's a measly $60 plus a $36 core. The best part: it's an actual Ford part stamped with an actual Ford part number and logo

I get the pump and a few quarts of Mobil 1 Synthetic thinking that it's all I'll need...boy was I wrong.

For starters, I bought the wrong fluid...after reading a write-up done by Camodown, the power steering pump calls for "Type F" ATF and not the Synthetic I just spent $40 bucks on. Back to Autozone for the correct fluid...

I get back from Autozone and start taking things off, not thinking that I might need a puller for the power steering pulley. So another trip back to Autozone is in order, this time with better results. A buddy of mine works there and tells me just to bring the old pump in with the new and he'll help me (with an electric impact wrench) make the swap. This saved me a good 30 minutes or so...

Excited, I get back home get the new pump on, fire the truck up and notice that it's still puking fluid everywhere! (thought I blew a seal) With the resevoir full, driver side intercooler tube off, and the engine running, I found the culprit: The lower steering return line was kinked and wearing away between the gear box and frame and had been that way for a long time (1 year and 7 months), before springing a leak. This actually cleared up two mysteries at once: for a long time after my accident in January of '09, my truck continually made a hissing sound that got louder or changed when you stepped on the brakes, but never when you turned the wheel. I thought it was my intercooler leaking the whole time, but after some testing, a local radiator shop gave it a clean bill of health. The sound I was hearing was the line bent and restricting the flow of fluid. More of the shoddy workmanship of the shop who supposedly fixed my truck...

So now the front bumper needs to come off to get to the cooler and lines...

After figuring out which line had the issue, I promptly checked the local auto parts stores and found that one (1) O'reilly's in the city of Houston had the hose I needed. They were even kind enough to hold it until I got there...

An hour later, (with it pouring down rain) I get everything hooked back up, fire up the truck, and still find that I'm losing fluid! (Mind you it's not as much this time, but by now it's frustrating as hell!) So I pull the intake and driver side intercooler pipe, start the truck, inspect the bottom, top-side and find no leaks! So I put the driver side tube back on and find that the leak started again and this time it's worse...Upon closer inspection, I found that the high pressure line that goes to the Hydroboost was leaking when the intercooler tube pressed against it. Great...Thinking that the teflon seal didn't take, I remove the high pressure line, add some teflon tape, but find that it doesn't fully seat. This can only mean one thing: Ford redesigned the newer pumps and they aren't compatible with the old high pressure lines. Off to O'reilly we go!

Praying to God above that this is the only link that stands between me having a truck again, I install the line, fill the resevoir, turn the key, and pray...

After idling for a few minutes, I profusely seach for leaks and find none. After a test drive and topping off the resevoir, there are no leaks and truck is itself once more!

Anoter major inconvenience and learning experience under my belt...next project: Installing my Adrenaline HPOP this weekend

Some final words:

Doing this myself, I saved a considerable amount of money over the dealer cost on parts alone. It's not as hard as you think, it's just time consuming...

Cost breakdown:

Powersteering pump: $63.93
Powersteering Return Line: $23.80
Powersteering Pressure line: $31.38
Coastal "Type F" ATF Fluid: $8.61 for 4 quarts (only needed two)
O'reilly brake/parts cleaner: $7.55 (two cans)

Total: $136.27

Dealer Cost

Powersteering pump: $148.85
Powersteering Return Line: $162.46
Powersteering Pressure Line: $86.74

Total: $430.88 in parts alone not including labor

Boys, take the time to check your power steering lines. You don't want this to catch you when you have your family and travel trailer with you. Hope y'all had a great weekend at the meet or at home!

 

i'm glad you got it all figured out! i hate when projects go like that. its supposed to be easy and it turns into a nightmare..ugh! but after your all done it makes it all that much better.

 

Praying always helps... Thanks for the info.

 

Are you saying that this write-up is wrong?
Ford Super Duty Power Steering Flush | Superdutypsd.com
I just don't want to use the wrong fluid.
Thanks

 

The high pressure lines do NOT "seat" all the way like one would expect. They seal with the small teflon O-ring that's on the fitting. When you remove the high pressure line you must replace that O-ring, or the line will leak.
JL

 

Sorry you had all to go thru the effort but thanks for sharing the info. It may save a bunch of us a lot of work.

The WX Sturady and Sunday was rather exasperating especially if you need to work outside. I had to put all my "EX work plans" on hold since we got over 7 inches on the West side.

D

 

Sorry to hear about the hassle! Hopefully your write-up will same someone some serious headaches!

 

I'm not saying it's wrong at all, I just figured that the new pump might like the Type F better to start, then I could move to Mobil 1 Synthetic.

Theres a little more to that story...

It turns out there is actually a rubber seal that acts as a buffer between the pipe and nut. That's what gave, causing the high pressure oil leak...

I did this in the pouring rain; only stopping if it started coming down bad enough, otherwise, it was mind over matter...

Thanks for the words of encouragement boys, it means alot...

 

I have seen that failure a few times.
And you can only imagine the confused looks when you tell them that the tube SHOULD "wiggle" like that on the new hose when it's tight.
JL

 

Wow, the only good thing about that weekend was the ending! Good job, buddy!

Stewart