texasjohn
Super Member
F350, 97, 7.3 diesel crew cab dually has twice now given me power steering problems. About 8 months apart.
Both times it began when I had my steering wheel cut all the way over to the stop to make a tight turn to the left. Am not sure same would occur if turn was to the right. haven't tried.
All is working fine, then it happens
First time...plenty of fluid to begin with, tight turn backing, obviously slow speed, power steering stopped operating, check fluid, cap has blown off and fluid is all over everything, very messy. I was ultimately able to drive it a couple of miles using ARMSTRONG, purchase fluid, took almost entire pint and power returned immediately to the steering wheel. Checked fluid level and for leaks for couple of weeks afterwards, no problems seen, thus I forgot about it. About 8 months passed, driving it a couple of times a week, couple of trips of 300 miles, mostly 30 mile trips.
2nd time...plenty of fluid, tight turn going forward, power steering quit abruptly, straightened out with difficulty and drove into my shop, fluid cap not blown off, but fluid had been pushed out everywhere. Assuming it now low on fluid, sought to add some... it was not significantly low. Started engine again, HOWEVER power steering power did NOT return.
Current assumption is that I need to take to mechanic and have power steering pump replaced.
Anybody have this experience, or see a different resolution?
I did a net search, there are reports of this happening when engine is NOT running and you are moving the vehicle..... but saw nothing reported when engine IS running.
Both times it began when I had my steering wheel cut all the way over to the stop to make a tight turn to the left. Am not sure same would occur if turn was to the right. haven't tried.
All is working fine, then it happens
First time...plenty of fluid to begin with, tight turn backing, obviously slow speed, power steering stopped operating, check fluid, cap has blown off and fluid is all over everything, very messy. I was ultimately able to drive it a couple of miles using ARMSTRONG, purchase fluid, took almost entire pint and power returned immediately to the steering wheel. Checked fluid level and for leaks for couple of weeks afterwards, no problems seen, thus I forgot about it. About 8 months passed, driving it a couple of times a week, couple of trips of 300 miles, mostly 30 mile trips.
2nd time...plenty of fluid, tight turn going forward, power steering quit abruptly, straightened out with difficulty and drove into my shop, fluid cap not blown off, but fluid had been pushed out everywhere. Assuming it now low on fluid, sought to add some... it was not significantly low. Started engine again, HOWEVER power steering power did NOT return.
Current assumption is that I need to take to mechanic and have power steering pump replaced.
Anybody have this experience, or see a different resolution?
I did a net search, there are reports of this happening when engine is NOT running and you are moving the vehicle..... but saw nothing reported when engine IS running.