Power Steering?

[dirtjockey]

1985 Ford Bronco II 2.8L V6

I just went through and replaced all of my brake lines on my BII. All seemed well until a test drive where it seemed as though my power steering went out. Looking through what I disassembled and didn't, all I can remember removing was in the engine compartment on the passenger side fender well, it was a can(?) that was empty and had a green and red suction line going into it. Does that help control the flow of power steering fluid? I wouldn't think so since it is across the engine compartment from the pump, but it's all I can think I removed.

No idea what it was there for. Maybe I'm right that it made a difference or maybe I disconnected something else along the way. Any ideas would really be appreciated. I'm stumped.

 

[TexCaliBII]

No that item your referring to has nothing to do with power steering. Now when you say you lost it, hard to steer, like manual steering, truck wandering, pulling to one side? Any evidence of leaking fluid? Did you check the fluid level? Let us know and we'll do our best to help you.

 

[BONES]

Might you have spilled lube/oil/fluid on the PS belt? A slipping belt can cause it to slip when assist is needed and with lube/oil it often times won't even make a noise.

 

[dirtjockey]

Thanks for the responses...

Alaska: By going out, I mean that when I test drove the Bronco after replacing the brake lines. It almost felt like it was sticking. Not pulling either way, almost like the steering was hung. Just a slight rocking of the wheel to account for drift when driving straight felt really jerky. Again, almost like it was "sticking". Fluid levels are good. By the way, what was that can for?

Bones: I checked the belt and it's dry. No slip. Good idea though. I was actually hoping it was the case.

Any more ideas would really be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[adsm08]

The can is your vacuum reservoir. Its to keep things like the EGR valve running and provide a few power-assisted stops if the engine dies.

 

[TexCaliBII]

Hmm,
Does the pump make that standard Ford whine when turning? How much rocking of the steering wheel do you have to do to stay straight? If it is a lot you could have had a secondary issue that the steering box is really worn out and a bearing has gone out, that could be causing the "sticking" sensation. Not sure on this though as the amount of steering correction to stay going straight is rather subjective. I know it seems odd that it was fine before you did the brakes and that they are non related systems but wierd things like that happen, even on the fighters I work on.