1. Home
  2. Ford Trucks
  3. Power "Over"-steering

Power "Over"-steering

Hello... My Brother has a 94 Ford F-150, and he is having some power steering problems. ...Perhaps there's someone here who can help.

He replaced the power steering gear and pump, and checked all the linkages and found there was no free play. ...However, he finds that at slow speed, the steering feels sluggish, almost as if it was "manual".

...Further -- and this is the main problem: If he makes a turn to the left, and then goes to straighten the wheel, he finds that he has to turn it to the right - but Past center - in order to once again drive straight. ...Thus, he is continually moving the wheel as if it was manual, with a lot of free play. Any suggestions? Thanks... Jon

Reply to
Johnny1000
Loading thread data ...

You've got something broken in the front end, possibly the steering box itself.

It sounds as if you guys got a variable assist pump, and speed plays into how much work it does, but it seems to me that it ought to provide more assist at low speed, not less assist.

You should be able to get under the truck while he turns the steering wheel, and you can see if the Pitman Arm moves in unison with the steering column. You should also look for the box to be mounted securely to the frame, and for the various trailing arms and suspension components to to be solidly mounted.

Reply to
Jeff Strickland

Your problem sounds like either a bad pump or the spool valve in the gearbox. Does the engine sound like it is working when the wheel is thurned to the stops? Does the sound change. That may tell you if the pump is working. You can also see the pressure line flex as pressure goes up. I suspect the gearbox preload has been over adjusted and the only cure is replacement if you can actually feel it go past center.

Lugnut

Reply to
lugnut

May be a silly question, but did you guys bleed the system after the installation?

SC Tom

Reply to
SC Tom

is it a 4x4?

Reply to
Jeff Guenther

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.