Notices
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator 1991-1994, 1995-2001, 2002-2005, 2006-2010 Ford Explorer

2003 Explorer Jumpy Steering

Old Jul 30, 2010 | 08:32 AM
  #1  
Ford7269's Avatar
Ford7269
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
2003 Explorer Jumpy Steering

I have a 2003 Explorer V8 just turned 115,000 and about the same time it rolled to that the power steering became jumpy...loose steering than hard steering as I go around turns, fun at 65mph when all of a sudden you go to an under steer, also when standing still. No sound out of the ordinary from the pump. So does anyone else have this? I am figuring power steering pump, but I figure I see what everyone else thought, Thanks
 
Reply
Old Jul 30, 2010 | 10:03 AM
  #2  
merlynr's Avatar
merlynr
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,069
Likes: 1
If it's not low of ps fluid, I would try a flush and refill especially if fluid is brown and burnt smelling.
 
Reply
Old Jul 30, 2010 | 11:05 AM
  #3  
Ford7269's Avatar
Ford7269
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Ok Thank you I will try that
 
Reply
Old Jul 30, 2010 | 11:52 AM
  #4  
powersmoked's Avatar
powersmoked
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
Originally Posted by Ford7269
I have a 2003 Explorer V8 just turned 115,000 and about the same time it rolled to that the power steering became jumpy...loose steering than hard steering as I go around turns, fun at 65mph when all of a sudden you go to an under steer, also when standing still. No sound out of the ordinary from the pump. So does anyone else have this? I am figuring power steering pump, but I figure I see what everyone else thought, Thanks
i agree flush the system.........if you cant flush the system the next best thing is to get a turkey baster you can add a foot of hose to the tip and suck the fluid out of the pump........drive for a while and do it again.repeat until clean.......have you towed or turned the wheel with the truck off..........if so you might have gotten air in the system.......you can bleed the system by doing slow figure 8"s in a parking lot...

* use mercon ATF
 

Last edited by powersmoked; Jul 30, 2010 at 11:53 AM. Reason: *
Reply
Old Jul 30, 2010 | 12:39 PM
  #5  
Ford7269's Avatar
Ford7269
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Has not been towed, pretty careful about steering while not moving/engine off. I popped the top and the fluid is pretty burnt. So I got some ATF and will be trying to get out as much as possible. Let you know. Thanks again.
 
Reply
Old Jul 30, 2010 | 07:43 PM
  #6  
aquanaut20's Avatar
aquanaut20
Cargo Master
20 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,263
Likes: 92
From: BC Canada
Originally Posted by Ford7269
Has not been towed, pretty careful about steering while not moving/engine off. I popped the top and the fluid is pretty burnt. So I got some ATF and will be trying to get out as much as possible. Let you know. Thanks again.
Raise wheels off ground. Remove return line from pump and relocate to a collection bucket. Plug up the return nipple in the pump.

Use a helper, engine running, add fresh fluid to pump as helper turns steering lock to lock, engine at warm idle. When fluid from return line is red/clean, shut down and reconnect line to pump, top up pump reservoir

Burp steering rack by slowly turning steering lock to lock, wheel off ground.
 
Reply
Old Jul 30, 2010 | 09:28 PM
  #7  
Graygeorge's Avatar
Graygeorge
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
You need to use power steering fluid.
 
Reply
Old Jul 31, 2010 | 07:52 AM
  #8  
Ford7269's Avatar
Ford7269
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
No luck, I vacuumed out fluid ran for a while vacuumed out again refilled, 1 qt total. No good, still doing it, I even did figure 8's. Any more thoughts? Thanks everyone
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-3

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-5

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-9

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Jul 31, 2010 | 07:54 AM
  #9  
Ford7269's Avatar
Ford7269
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Oh I did not see that from Aqua, Ill try that today Thanks
 
Reply
Old Jul 31, 2010 | 08:04 AM
  #10  
powersmoked's Avatar
powersmoked
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
Your pump might be bad. They are cheap
 
Reply
Old Jul 31, 2010 | 08:10 AM
  #11  
powersmoked's Avatar
powersmoked
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
I have never had to do that wheels off the ground bleeding procedure. The system bleeds its self. The figure 8's work fine. The oem fluid is mercon/mercon V ATF
 
Reply
Old Jul 31, 2010 | 12:42 PM
  #12  
Ford7269's Avatar
Ford7269
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Any one think its the rack?
 
Reply
Old Jul 31, 2010 | 12:49 PM
  #13  
powersmoked's Avatar
powersmoked
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
I was thinking the rack too. The OP says fluid is disapearing but he can't find a leak. I think the ps pump is $25. I would find the leak and throw in a pump. See what happens
 
Reply
Old Jul 31, 2010 | 05:29 PM
  #14  
Ford7269's Avatar
Ford7269
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
No fluid leakage as far as I can see
 
Reply
Old Jul 31, 2010 | 06:16 PM
  #15  
powersmoked's Avatar
powersmoked
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
Originally Posted by Ford7269
No fluid leakage as far as I can see
a normal ford ps pump is kind of noisy and whinny. I think you said yours make no real noise at all. maybe the pump is strip and not really spinning. i would repalce the pump it takes 30 minutes tp swap and i think i bought mine from AZ or advanced 2 years ago for $23......
 
Reply

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:47 PM.

story-0
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-30 18:33:59


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-2
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-4
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-8
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE