Common Ford power steering issues
Last Updated on July 23, 2024 by Mutiara
Ford power steering pump with reservoir.
The power steering system commonly found on most Ford vehicles with the 3.8 Essex or 3.0 Vulcan engine has a high failure rate. Larger vehicles such as the Ford Windstar endure higher amounts of stress on the power steering system and are some of the most frequent cases of power steering failure.
Replacing the Pump
Power steering pulley puller tool.
Unlike many common power steering pumps that have the pulley held on by several bolts and are quite easy to replace, the power steering pump pulley found on the Windstar and other vehicles requires a specialized removal tool. The tool can usually be found in any auto parts store, and may be available for rent.
Replacing the Hose
There are two hoses in this power steering system. A pressure line and a return line. The pressure line should be purchased from your auto parts source, because making one yourself can end up disasterous without the exact fittings, hoses, and connections due to the high hydraulic pressure that it has to contain generated by the pump. However the return line is quite simple and can be made for much cheaper than ordering one.
All that is needed is any hose rated for oil, a pair of clamps, and an m16 thread fitting to fit the power steering rack. Usually hose barb fittings are not sold in the M16 thread so an adapter has to be used. For example, in one perticular system an M16-3/8F8OHGS adapter was purchased from Parker to adapt a 125HBL-6-6 3/8 pipe thread hose barb fitting. From this fitting a hose runs to the reservoir on the power steering pump. This system only cost $ 25 in materials, costing half that of a return hose specifically for the vehicle.
An even cheaper solution can be accomplished by cutting the metal tube coming out of the old hose and clamping the new hose right on to it. Though this has not been tested to rule out the potential leakage problem.
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