Power steering pump problems

[1RangerNut]

I just went on a wheeling trip saturday and my pump started whinning and blew some fluid out the cap like when turning the wheels with the engine off.

Is the pump junk or did it just get hot?

I was thinking of adding a PS cooler under my trans cooler and then putting an elec. fan in front of them, would that help/fix my problem?

When I lifted the hood to check there was alot of heat coming out but the motor was only on the N of normal all day.


Thanks: Steve

 

[4x4junkie]

If it seems OK after adding some fluid and letting it cool down some, chances are you may have avoided a meltdown (if the fluid smells burnt at all, flush it out and replace with new).

For sure a cooler can never hurt.

 

[1RangerNut]

It got better after it cooled down.

I just read that it wants type F, and I have been topping it off with ps fluid.

So I think I'm just gonna add a cooler and flush it and refill it with the correct stuff, and hope it doesn't get angry again.


Edit: Is there a better pump that's cheap and not the discontinued saginaw from the tech section or the exspensive AGR?

 

[4x4junkie]

Type F is correct. ("Power Steering Fluid" is usually for import vehicles)

Later Fords ('96-'07) call for Mercon (Dex/Merc) so that most likely would be fine in yours as well ('96-'97 being the same setup as yours).