Power steering leakage...

[RhainyC]

My truck was leaking power steering fluid a bit, before the wreck on Sunday. Now however, it is leaving a huge puddle under the motor. It appears to be coming from where the seal probably is, at the bottom of the pump.

Any ideas about what might have happened? I had been putting about 1/2-3/4 cup of fluid in every week or so...now, well it comes almost right back out...

I have to wait for my mechanic to have time to check on the pump and leak, and order parts if needed...question is, is this something a reasonably intelligent person can change, the pump I mean?

Cheers and Stay Warm,
Rhainy

 

[offroadranger]

The pump is easy to change, just need a puller to remove the pulley and install it on the new pump. Other then that, very basic, bolt off, bolt on. You will need new nylon seals for the lines, they usually come with the new pump...if not they are like .08 each from ford.

Lucas power steering fix works really well on leaky systems, sounds like yours is past a tune up in a bottle though.

 

[RhainyC]

The pump is easy to change, just need a puller to remove the pulley and install it on the new pump. Other then that, very basic, bolt off, bolt on. You will need new nylon seals for the lines, they usually come with the new pump...if not they are like .08 each from ford.

Lucas power steering fix works really well on leaky systems, sounds like yours is past a tune up in a bottle though.

Yep I think we are past the leak fix point...lol So I will look into ordering a new pump...*sighs*

What about bleeding the system? Is that easy enough for a layman? I seem to recall that you have to bleed it before you start the motor...?

Thanks Much!

RhainyC

 

[offroadranger]

Yep I think we are past the leak fix point...lol So I will look into ordering a new pump...*sighs*

What about bleeding the system? Is that easy enough for a layman? I seem to recall that you have to bleed it before you start the motor...?

Thanks Much!

RhainyC

Maybe buy a haynes manual? Thier pretty much priceless(well, $20), and go into detail on this and many other repairs.

BUT, to bleed the system, you get all your parts bolted up, fluid filled in the resivior, jack the front wheels off the ground, start the engine and turn the wheel lock to lock about 30 times untill its smooth and not making too much(it IS a ford pump) noise, keep an eye on the fluid level while bleeding.

 

[MAKG]

That's conventional bleeding, but for these Fords with whiny pumps, I prefer to bleed with the engine OFF. Jack the front end off the ground and turn the steering wheel stop to stop VERY SLOWLY until it stops puking bubbles out the reservoir. If you do it too fast, it will overflow. When you aren't getting bubbles that way, turn the engine on and finish it off.

 

[RhainyC]

And this sort of wonderful help is why I always am recommending this site!!!

Thank you so much!

Cheers and Warm Wishes,
Rhainy