Power steering troubles

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68FORDJBM
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Power steering troubles

Post by 68FORDJBM »

I just replaced the Ford style power steering box on my bump because it was leaking horribly and steering was very loose. I found that the pump wasn't as thirsty for fluid as i thought it should be so I turned the truck on hoping it would draw in more fluid. I was barly able to get 0.5 to .75 quarts inbefore it filled up and I noticed a pinhole leak in hose creating a smoky mess all over my manifold.

Could my pump be bad in addition to needing to replace the rubber hose pictured below> How is the rubber portion of the hose replaced/connected? It seemed like there was pleanty of pressure pushing fluid out of the pinhole in the hose.

Thank you!

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72BahamaBlue
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Re: Power steering troubles

Post by 72BahamaBlue »

New PS hoses incude the rubber and steel lines, and the fittings.
I like to support the front with jackstands under the frame, loosen the PS pump dipstick to allow any air to burp out, turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock a few times with the engine running, shut it down refill resevoir as needed, type F ATF. If the pump isn't noisy or leaking, it should be okay, the system doesn't take much fluid.
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68FORDJBM
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Re: Power steering troubles

Post by 68FORDJBM »

Thanks, hope I can find the hoses easier than it was to find the gearbox
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68FORDJBM
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Re: Power steering troubles

Post by 68FORDJBM »

72BahamaBlue wrote:New PS hoses incude the rubber and steel lines, and the fittings.
I like to support the front with jackstands under the frame, loosen the PS pump dipstick to allow any air to burp out, turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock a few times with the engine running, shut it down refill resevoir as needed, type F ATF. If the pump isn't noisy or leaking, it should be okay, the system doesn't take much fluid.
Did as you said and steering is great except I hear this Shhhhhhhhhhhh, Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, fluidy soft grinding noise when I turn the wheel. I'm concerned that I don't have enough fluid getting to the gears. Maybe this is normal "break in noise" but want to make sure. Do I need to bleed the pump to get the air out?

Thanks
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390bump
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Re: Power steering troubles

Post by 390bump »

To bleed you turn the wheel all the way to the left then all the way to the right a few times. When you turn it as far as it will go it will make a loud screech... do that a few times until the screeching goes away to bleed... Sounds like you have something different going on... If its just generally noisy one thing you cab try is some Lucas PS fluid from the auto parts store that says its for quieting pumps... It is thicker than the type F fluid.
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68FORDJBM
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Re: Power steering troubles

Post by 68FORDJBM »

Mostly concerned that I'm not getting fluid to my new gear box. I don't want to destroy a brand new gear box. I can handle a noisy pump if thats all that it is. Thank you!
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Re: Power steering troubles

Post by 72BahamaBlue »

68FORDJBM wrote:
72BahamaBlue wrote:New PS hoses incude the rubber and steel lines, and the fittings.
I like to support the front with jackstands under the frame, loosen the PS pump dipstick to allow any air to burp out, turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock a few times with the engine running, shut it down refill resevoir as needed, type F ATF. If the pump isn't noisy or leaking, it should be okay, the system doesn't take much fluid.
Did as you said and steering is great except I hear this Shhhhhhhhhhhh, Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, fluidy soft grinding noise when I turn the wheel. I'm concerned that I don't have enough fluid getting to the gears. Maybe this is normal "break in noise" but want to make sure. Do I need to bleed the pump to get the air out?

Thanks
I replaced the steering gear and pump on my '71, 1-1/2 years later it has become a little quieter, still has a kind of a buzzy-hissy-growl.
Keep the fluid up to the full mark on the dipstick, keep checking until it no longer needs topping up.
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68FORDJBM
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Re: Power steering troubles

Post by 68FORDJBM »

I guess that's what I'll do - keep checking it. If anything I've overfilled the pump. I said that the noise doesn't bother me but I lied - it bothers me. If the noises doesn't go away as air works it's way out of the system I'll try replacing the pump down the road.

Thanks for helping me not worry too much about the sound - my gut says its normal but I didn't hear it before the new gearbox so just wanted to make sure.
72BahamaBlue
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Re: Power steering troubles

Post by 72BahamaBlue »

After driving around for a while, I took off the PS belt, and worked the pulley back and forth by hand, just to see if I could purge any more air out.
Not sure if it did anything, didn't change the noise, but I did feel better for trying!
Yeah, getting used to new noises can get on your nerves, I'm thinking it will quiet down like mine did.
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68FORDJBM
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Re: Power steering troubles

Post by 68FORDJBM »

I will keep working at it and will post back if i find anything that helps quiet the noise. Turning on the radio might help:)
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68FORDJBM
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Re: Power steering troubles

Post by 68FORDJBM »

Just a long overdue update: I tried to bleed the PS pump by turning the wheel back an forth with the truck up on jacks. It burped quite a bit of fluid and became a little quieter. I'll try it one more time the next time i chance the oil and hoping for complete quiet as it was before I changed the gearbox
Idaho68
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Re: Power steering troubles

Post by Idaho68 »

sorry I cant help on this but I want to tap in here and ask where you found a 68 f100 4x4 power steering box? S
I cant seem to locate one anywhere? any thoughts?
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