Power steering pressure hose O-ring ('90 BII 2.9)

[4x4junkie]

My service manual tells me that the swivel fitting at the steering pump outlet is a non-serviceable assembly... Has anyone had luck getting one of these apart to replace just the O-ring? (the diagram shows what looks like an inaccessible snap ring inside that holds the swivel part of it together) Or should I go ahead and just get a new pressure hose?

 

[martin]

If the fitting is the same as the one used on the 84 2.8, what looks like a snap ring is actually a not round piece that sort of springs out once the pieces are pushed together (hard to describe) but it works in a similar manner to the driveshaft ends on fwd transmissions. The big difference is that because it's made from a piece of flat material, once it's in there, it stays in there. I found this out when mine blew itself apart due to the clip breaking. I made a new clip out of either a steel can or a piece of steel shim-stock, can't remember which as it was a long time ago. I know this does not tell you how to get it apart but sometimes, if you know what's in there, it helps you to figure it out. Good luck.

 

[RangerSVT]

It'd be easier to just get a new hose, they're not that expensive...

SVT

 

[martin]

They're not that expensive where you are, but up here they're over a hundred bucks. If you can find one.

 

[4x4junkie]

Yeah, that seems to be what I'm getting... Just get a whole new hose. I'm finding prices to be around $30 or so (though an O-ring would be about 5¢).

WTF was Ford's thinking on this POS anyway?


Appreciate the responses guys.

 

[4x4junkie]

Well, it looks like there's some chance I may have lucked out here... Turns out there's a larger O-ring around the pump's output fitting (the large 24mm nut) which was leaking, so it wasn't the swivel part on the hose after all. A new 20mm x 3mm O-ring from my deluxe Harbor Freight assortment, a bit of Teflon tape for the hose's fitting, and so far so good... (knocking on wood)

 

[Mark_88]

Do you have pics of this connection by any chance? I have a 96 with a leaky hose...the one nearest the fender...I know it unbolts and was suspecting a wonky seal but wanted to check it.

I do have the manual box that I was going to swap it out with just in case, but if I can salvage the PS I might keep it on for a while until I get all the other things sorted out...

There is a slight difference in the pitman arm on the manual and power box...the manual is from an 88 and the power is 96 so not sure if I can just swap the pitman arms or if I have to change something else also...but the 96 is pretty much a straight on while the manual box has a slight bend (downwards, I think).

Anyway...hoping to be able to fix the PS if possible for now~

 

[4x4junkie]

Sorry for the delay...
This what you're looking for?

 

[Mark_88]

Excellent!

Thank you...mine appears to be leaking around the non-replaceable 0-ring...the outer seal, but I haven't actually looked at it while the engine was running...and the whole input pipe moves back and forth about 1/8"...does that mean it's toast or do the other rings take up that slack?

I do have a replacement PS unit but if I'm going to change that part out I might as well put the manual box in and be done with it...hopefully I can fix the one I have because I am getting old and between the shifting and the non PS by the time I drive anywhere I'm too tired to do anything when I get there...lol

 

[4x4junkie]

Spray it off real good with some degreaser (Gunk Engine-Brite Original, etc), then after a day or so you might be able to see more easily where it's actually leaking from (that is how I discovered it was the larger O-ring that seals against the reservoir).

That swivel fitting is normally loose, yes.

 

[Mark_88]

Cool, thanks again!

I will try that first.

Just to see, I went to a local parts store and they have the line in stock for $40 + tax...and I went to a local mechanic and he said $140 to $160 to swap in my manual box...I know I can do it myself for next to nothing but just in case I ran into problems.

I forgot to ask about the O-ring kit...but if that is what's leaking I should be able to grab a pack of them and fix it myself...for a few bucks.

 

[Mark_88]

Update...I found the leak, but it wasn't the hoses...leaking from the base of the pitman arm shaft...so looks like I will need to replace the box...just posted in the urgent help required...as there is a difference in the pitman arms between manual and power boxes...the manual drops about an inch lower than the power box...wondering if that is going to be a problem or will I have to replace the entire steering section...