choppy steering
 

About a year ago I blew the power steering hose in my 79 Bronco. I replaced the hose, but this didn't help the steering. Replaced the pump (used) - this didn't help either. Finally replaced the power steering box (used)- this worked but the power assist was kind of "choppy". Don't really know how to explain it, but when turning I would be able to turn but would hit spots in the steering that were tough to turn past. Once past a spot, it worked fine - until another spot. Going around a normal corner, I would feel about four spots where it became difficult to steer. After driving it daily for a few weeks it cleared up. I've just put my Bronco back on the road after about eight months of sitting (don't ask) and the choppy steering is back. If it goes away again, I can probably live with the inconvenience, but I don't want it to go out completely some day when my wife is lucky enough to be driving the truck. Any ideas what this could be?

choppy steering
 

Try pulling one of the hoses off, putting a bucket to catch the fluid under the open line and turning the wheel lock to lock with the engine running. This will pump all the fluid out. Reconnect it and fill it up and repeat a couple of times until the fluid comes out clean. This helped the power steering in my truck. It was all full of gunk and making noise. Hope this helps.

Brad Godkin
1986 F350 CC/SRW
6.9liter/C6

choppy steering