Blew top off power steering pump

[Kowboy]

I did something yesterday that I've done many times before. I wanted to look under the right side of my 2000 Ranger, so I just put the ignition key into the switch to release the steering lock. I then turned the wheels hard right without starting the engine. I may have done this twice, not sure. Here is where it get interesting. Lying under the truck I saw an ugly pool of power steering fluid. At first I suspected a burst hose on the rack and pinion. I popped the hood and found that I had blown the top off the power steering pump. I cleaned up under the hood and floor and then added new fluid. I took it for a test drive and when turning the wheel it shuddered really bad. More on the right turns than left. Thinking it was just air in the lines I took yet another drive making sure to turn hard right and left as much as possible. I think it's healed up now but would like your opinion. Thanks; Kowboy

 

[martin]

It's perfectly normal, you're not supposed to do that.

 

[Kowboy]

I'm wondering if I've compromised a seal somewhere, like the rack and pinion. And NO, I won't be trying that again!

 

[4x4junkie]

If it ain't leaking, you're probably fine.

I don't have rack & pinion, however I have had the cap pop a few times on mine also and never had any repercussions from it.

 

[Kowboy]

Just got back from running a few errands and there were no signs of a problem. the shudder in the steering has gone and the pump is not whining. Thanks for the support. Kowboy

 

[wildbill23c]

I had that happen on my way home from town in my 84 ranger. Well the fan belt broke, not sure which one, but it seemed that when one broke it threw all the other belts off as well LOL. Anyhow I drove it the rest of the mile home and when I got home I realized I had a leak and thought the worst. Opened the hood and the steering pump cap had luckily fallen where it didn't fall out of the truck and lose it. But it puked all the fluid all over everything. I replaced the belts, refilled the reservoir put the cap back on and never had another problem with it. I think it just builds up pressure when the pump isn't running and blows the cap off.

 

[Kowboy]

I feel your pain! It is a scary sight. A little spelt oil can go a long way. It took me quite a while to clean up under the hood. I agree, that everything seems fine now.

 

[wildbill23c]

^^Yeah a little bit of oil anywhere and it can make it hard to track down a leak. I need to pressure wash the whole underside of my B2 so I can see what else is leaking. Due to the ridiculous crankshaft seal leak and rear main seal leak that I had fixed, I can't track down any other leaks until I clean up from those 2. Its a never ending battle. I swear the ford engineers built leaks into these trucks on purpose. If its leaking its ok, if it stops leaking...worry.