lack of power steering assist

[Dave]

I have a '92 Ranger and in my opinion, the PS requires too much driver input. It's better than manual steering but not as easy as I think it should be. My '88 E350 fully loaded steers easier. Is this how Ford made them?

The fluid looked kind of rough (117,000 miles) so I flushed out the old stuff and put in new. I really didn't expect it to steer easier with the new fluid but the new fluid should at least help it live longer.

The front tire pressure is fine.

Your opinion on the PS effort is appreciated.
Dave

 

[Joshs93four-oh]

Check for tight or siezed ball joints and/or wheel joints.
________
Herbalaire

 

[Dave]

OK. I'll check the joints and report back. Is that a common problem? Ohhhh for the days of kingpins!!

 

[metalmacguyver]

I used to have a 96 2wd and last year i bought a 97 4x4 that i have now. There was a significant difference between the two with regards to how hard it was to steer. My 97 takes much more driver input. I just did all the ball joints and there was no change in it. I dont know why this is the case but I have gotten used to it.

 

[Dave]

I checked all the ball joints yesterday and everything feels good.....nothing worn out, loose, or binding. And that was BEFORE I greased the steering ball joints. Do all Rangers steer hard? You guys with oversized tires must really have to tug on the steering wheel.

Dave

 

[mhughes165]

sometiems yes, but it is also a issue of the pump just not ebing the best, i think theres a thread in this forum about a pump upgrade that can be done, i know its there im just being lazy

 

[Ranger44]

Could just be worn steering. I did the saginaw pump upgrade. Works awesome and it's a whole lot easier to turn. I did this on a 4cyl. depending on the year etc, you may have to take a grinding wheel to clearance the bracket some. I know with the 4.0 and maybe the 3.0 you have to do quite a bit. But well worth it.

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14295&highlight=saginaw

 

[mhughes165]

thats the one

 

[4x4junkie]

I would agree, the stock pumps are somewhat pathetic, but it shouldn't be taking a whole lot of effort to turn.

If it means anything, I can just barely keep turning the wheel from lock-to-lock with a single finger while rolling. If the steering was any stiffer, I probably wouldn't be able to.


IIRC, your '88 van probably has the Saginaw pump, and would likely be why the difference.

 

[metalmacguyver]

IIRC, your '88 van probably has the Saginaw pump, and would likely be why the difference.

x2

 

[Dave]

The van does have a Saginaw.

I think I am going to find out how much grinding I need to do on my 3.0L PS bracket in order to install the 1979 T-bird Saginaw pump. I don't like the lack of assist and I hate the whining.

Dave