Power steering went out - advice wanted

I had my power steering go out last night while I was merging onto a highway. It almost felt like something popped but that could be what it feels like when the power steering pump went out. I need some advice on whether its the pump or whether it could be the gear box.

The pump isn't making its regular F-150 power steering pump noises, so that is what immediately presented itself as the problem. I pulled over to check it out, rolled my window down and watched as I turned the wheel. Gave me tons of resistance and then "groaned" a little. I released the wheel and it started spraying fluid out of the cap vent hole.

The truck is a 88 F150 L6 4.9L.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Reply to
Jimbo
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This may sound like a simple question, but did you check the belt?

CJB

Reply to
CJB

CJB:

I did check the belt. I installed a new one last night because it looked a little looser than it should. Very easy repair compared to replacing the pump. I also replaced that last night. I used a little different technique than the repair manual had. They had me removing the entire mounting bracket which the power steering pump and the A/C compressor is attached to. I just removed the radiator and fan cowling to give me room for the puller. I borrowed a pulley puller from Advanced. Either they really skimped on their setup, or the pulley was really on there. I ran out of time last night so tonight I will be pressing the pulley back onto the new pump. Hopefully, my steering symptoms weren't telling me the gear box went out.

I'm a little fuzzy on priming the pump. I let fluid soak in and then manually turned the pulley until it started pressurizing. Then I was told (other newsgroup topic) to move the wheel from stop to stop a few times.

Jimbo

Reply to
Jimbo

The pump will self bleed when turning the wheel, just be sure to have it full to the mark with fluid.

Spdloader

Reply to
Spdloader

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