UPDATE HELP puzzling steering problem

[Kitcat]

UPDATE NOT THE POWER STEERING AFTER ALL AND YOURE NEVER GOING TO BELEIVE WHAT WAS MAKING FEEL LIKE THAT! the lower steering bar ! the top little u joint in it was very bad and the bottom one was rusted soiled so all that was binding up and leting loose making it feel like the power steering was skipping in and out.Hello to all, need advice and help on what's going on with the power steering on my 1998 Ranger xlt 2nd 2.5l manual 5 speed. Just bought it last week and trying to fix it's driving issues first before moving on to its body. I already know it needs tie rod ends and maybe ball joints plan on replacing getting a set that has it all( all 4 ties end, all 4 ball joints and both control arm) plus replacing both front struts and both rear shocks. The problem with the power steering has me and everyone who's looked at a loss. The power steering pump is not leaking, making any abnormal noises and the pully is spinning freely but the fluid smells like burnt tranny fluid. Sitting idling the wheel turns fine all the way both ways but driving it it feels like the power steering pump is going in and out the whole time , like it's shuddering. So what is it or how I determine what it is.

 

[ericbphoto]

In your welcome thread, you mention that the fluid has a burnt odor to it. I think the first things I would do are;

1. Flush and refill the power steering fluid. Maybe twice to make sure it's all good new fluid, reservoir at the proper level and no air in the system.

2. Make sure your serpentine belt is in good condition and the tensioner is working.

 

[Kitcat]

Ok thank you I'll give that a try

 

[Dirtman]

Make sure you use the proper fluid as well. It takes mercon v automatic transmission fluid. Using the wrong fluid can cause problems.

To change the fluid I just suck whats in the reservoir out with a turkey baster and refill, drive around a little bit and repeat. Keep doing that until the fluid comes out clean.

 

[Kitcat]

Make sure you use the proper fluid as well. It takes mercon v automatic transmission fluid. Using the wrong fluid can cause problems.

To change the fluid I just suck whats in the reservoir out with a turkey baster and refill, drive around a little bit and repeat. Keep doing that until the fluid comes out clean.

The power steering pump takes tranny fluid?

 

[Dirtman]

Yep

 

[19Walt93]

The power steering fluid Ford sells meets Mercon specs, not mercon V.

 

[Dirtman]

TSB 07-1-7 states that Mercon V is the replacement for mercon spec power steering fluid for 1996-2007 rangers.

 

[19Walt93]

The current Ford power steering fluid still says Mercon on the bottle. It may even tolerate type F but mercon is slipperier. Mercon V is probably acceptable for top off.

 

[Dirtman]

Just sharing what Ford says. The manual for my 09 says specifically to use Mercon V as well.


TSB 07-1-7
01/22/07
MERCON(R) ATF REPLACED BY MERCON(R) V AS A
SERVICE FLUID FOR SOME POWER STEERING
SYSTEMS
FORD:
1996-1997 Thunderbird
1996-2007 Crown Victoria, Mustang, Taurus
1998-2003 Escort
2000-2007 Focus
2002-2005 Thunderbird
2005-2006 Ford GT
2005-2007 Five Hundred, Freestyle
2006-2007 Fusion
1996-1997 Aerostar
1996-2007 E-Series, Explorer, Ranger
1997-2004 F-53 Motorhome Chassis
1997-2007 Expedition, F-150, F-Super Duty
1998-2003 Windstar
2000-2005 Excursion
2001-2003 Explorer Sport
2001-2005 Explorer Sport Trac
2001-2007 Escape
2004-2007 Freestar
2005-2007 Escape Hybrid
1996-1997 Cargo
1996-1998 L-Series
1996-1999 F- B-Series
2000-2007 F-650, F-750
2006-2007 Low Cab Forward
LINCOLN:
1996-1998 Mark VIII
1996-1999 Continental
1996-2007 Town Car
2000-2006 Lincoln LS
2006 Zephyr
2007 MKZ
1998-2007 Navigator
2002-2003 Blackwood
2003-2005 Aviator
2006-2007 Mark LT
2007 MKX
MERCURY:
1996-1997 Cougar
1996-2005 Sable
1996-2007 Grand Marquis
1999-2002 Cougar
2003-2004 Marauder
2005-2007 Montego
2006-2007 Milan
1997-2007 Mountaineer
1998-2002 Villager
2004-2007 Monterey
2005-2007 Mariner Hybrid, Mariner
ISSUE
MERCON(R) Automatic Transmission Fluid is being replaced by MERCON(R) V as a service fluid for power steering systems originally requiring MERCON(R).
ACTION
Beginning immediately all power steering applications requiring MERCON(R) can now be serviced using MERCON(R) V or MERCON(R) Automatic Transmission Fluid or dual usage fluids labeled MERCON(R) / MERCON(R) V. After July 1, 2007, MERCON(R) Automatic Transmission Fluid will no longer be manufactured, therefore, availability of this fluid will continue until remaining inventory has been depleted.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
Service power steering Systems requiring MERCON(R) with MERCON(R) V or MERCON(R) Automatic Transmission Fluid or dual usage fluids labeled MERCON(R) / MERCON(R) V.
CAUTION APPLICATIONS RECOMMENDING TYPE F AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND POWER STEERING FLUID MUST CONTINUE TO USE THAT PARTICULAR FLUID. USE OF ANY OTHER FLUID MAY CAUSE REDUCED FUNCTIONALITY OR DAMAGE