Anybody repair their steering box?

[ArdWrknTrk]

Evidently, when my power steering pump ate itself it 'shared the wealth ' with the spool valve in my sector box.
(I did flush the lines)
The truck steers left, but no assist going right.

I'm not sure if a spool valve is available, or if I just need to clear whatever shard and reseal.
I know about stretching Teflon seals, but I've never been in there....

So I understand in theory from the exploded diagrams, but....  

[Gary Lewis]

Bummer, Jim!

We do have the FSM section on them at Documentation/Suspension & Steering/Power Steering, but I've not been into those things.

[ArdWrknTrk]

Honestly, I'm just ass-u-me-ing they're related and not coincidental...

Thank you for the link!  
 
Edit: I'm not seeing any valve or gear housings that the instructions say to replace.

From what I understand, either the port is clogged or there's enough debris that the piston can't shift 'right'.

[viven44]

Just got back today...

Jim, this seems awfully lot like the problem I had after the 460 swap. No assist on one side....

I followed the instructions from Gary below (start engine, turn lock to lock, pour fluid until gurgle goes away) and the problem went away. I don't know if there was a clog or what, but that fixed it completely. I think there is still some hope...
 
https://forum.garysgaragemahal.com/460-swap-into-a-78-Bronco-tp148376p149393.html

[ArdWrknTrk]

I've put over 250 miles on it since I swapped the pump.


I don't think it's airbound.  
I think the spool valve is jammed or one of the Teflon seals is tattered.

[viven44]

Okay, and agreed

At the price below I would give a Lares or Cardone unit a shot! Summit will ship free over $109.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/lsc-1446

Just not sure about the part# 100%... Rockauto had this as fitting... but not sure 100%....

[ArdWrknTrk]

It's pretty universal application.

I'm definitely not giving anything 'Cardone' a shot.  

And I wonder how much return shipping is on the core?
'cause that's gonna bite you right where the sun don't shine, every time!
Often it isn't worth the bother.  🤷‍♂️

[Gary Lewis]

I won't install a Cardone even if it is free.  There's just way too much work and mess swapping out that box to find out the one you put in is junk.

[viven44]

Don't even bother sending that Core in... I think it would be a wash at best.

[ArdWrknTrk]

Right, so eat that $$$ too.

If I can't get e spool valve I'm just going to find a tight box at a junkyard and go through it before I take mine out.

[ckuske]

I do NOT recommend a Cardone pump.  I replaced my CII pump (reservoir was leaking) with a Cardone and before that the pump did not make any noise.  Now, people can hear me coming down the street with the Cardone unit ("Yep, here comes an old Ford" the smog guy said the other day...)

I'm saving my pennies up for the Lee CII/Saginaw replacement unit.

[viven44]

The dentside one I recently did was a mess. I could not get the pitman arm puller in position unless the mounting bolts were removed and the box was free to move.

For the work involved, especially if you are looking for a good steering response yes, I agree definitely best to avoid the bad ones. I am seeing folks reporting loose steering right out of the box... but that is the expected outcome from a used steering box... I have a spare from a 1986 which is probably loose.

[viven44]

Pump is another mess altogether. Any new pump I found did not even fit the stock pulley. The shaft was milled 0.0005" or so in the reman and that affected the fit. I am running a 40 year old pump now on my bronco... on borrowed time definitely. Backup would be a new pump with one of the bearing mount adhesives that Jim recommended.

[ArdWrknTrk]

Not the pump, the box itself. 💡

I've had enough bad experiences to stay away.
It's one thing when it's your own vehicle, it's another entirely when bad (and sometimes the ONLY) choices inconvenience someone else, and erodes faith in you.

[ArdWrknTrk]

It's easy enough to see how much slop is in the sector gear, even without installing it.

I do have a different lower shaft without any rag joint.  👍

[viven44]

Yes agreed. Easy to check play...

Ford has an elaborate adjustment procedure for these boxes.. probably good to plan for this on a used box.

I installed a new one so didn't perform this.. but wish I had at least checked for compliance

Factory manual states

During the vehicle breaking-in period, some factory adjustments may change. These changes in adjustment will not necessarily affect operation of the steering gear assembly. If excessive steering lash is encountered then a mesh load adjustment may be required.

[ArdWrknTrk]

Right
I've read that, and asked Bill what "sensitive instruments he used back at NN.

But I uncluttered Danny's thread and haven't heard from him.

I don't like having to pull these boxes out.
At least I can get my pitman arm puller on it and still have room to swing a hammer!  👍

[ckuske]

Sorry, I came back to this thread and I saw Cardone and got triggered before thinking about what I was posting

[Gary Lewis]

ckuske wrote

Sorry, I came back to this thread and I saw Car done and got triggered before thinking about what I was posting

I think you misspelled it, but I fixed it for you.  

[viven44]

Car done

Dorman needs to put this in their marketing campaign