New Power Steering Hose - It swivels?

[Bronco638]

Hey Everyone,
I changed the hoses on my power steering pump yesterday. After installing the pressure hose, I put the assembly in the engine bracket (so that I could tighten all the line fittings and not spill any more ps fluid).

I noticed that the connection the pressure hose makes, at the pump body (see yellow arrow), swivels when I pivot the pump on the axis of the retaining bolt (that goes into the head). Is that correct? The 17mm fitting is tight.



The new and old hoses looked the same and I did use the new o-ring that came with the hose. There was also a small yellow plastic cap that was in the bag, along with the o-ring. Not sure what that is.

I double checked the hose I purchased (O'Reilly's Precision 13401261) and the application appears to be correct. The ps pump came from the parts truck (1981 F-100 w/4.9) but the hose seems to be the same for all early Bull Nose trucks, regardless of engine.

Any thoughts?

TIA

[Ifitaintbroke]

It's fine. My factory hose did that, and the Precision replacement. Neither leak. It's weird, and I'm not sure how a fitting can move like that and not leak, but they do.

[Bronco638]

Ifitaintbroke wrote

It's fine. My factory hose did that, and the Precision replacement. Neither
leak. It's weird, and I'm not sure how a fitting can move like that and not
leak, but they do.

That's a relief, thank you!

[85lebaront2]

It has an O-ring where the fitting is put together. This allows it to move without leaking.

[Bronco638]

I was hoping that's what the o-ring was for. I was sure to install the new o-ring that came with the new hose (and even lubed it with old ps fluid).

[C.Jett]

Dave, it’s another Ford oddity, you did it correct, but a warning, Do Not move steering unless engine is running, it will burp fluid every where. Ask me how I know. Another Ford oddity. CJ

[Gary Lewis]

I think you meant DAHIK 😎

[C.Jett]

Gary, but that’s an extra word I didn’t have to type. CJ

[Gary Lewis]

Depends on how you count.

By the way, the C-II pump used in the pickups is the one that sprays if you turn the wheel with the engine off. The Saginaw pump used in the vans doesn’t. Which is one of the reasons I have one on Big Blue.

[viven44]

I think the steering gear sprays fluid. I had a steering gear box out a couple days ago and when I wiggled the pitman arm around it sprayed fluid out...

Probably naive of me... but is it just that the Saginaw pump has a better reservoid lid to prevent fluid spray from escaping ?

[ArdWrknTrk]

The Saginaw is just different internally.
You can turn the wheel with the lid OFF and it still won't spew everywhere.

It was patented and manufactured by the steering gear division of General Motors.
You know Ford had a hard time swallowing that, so The Motor Company designed their own pumps (C1, C2 & C3) but they tended to be noisy and so weren't used on Lincoln's and upmarket Mercury's.

I'm not sure why Saginaw pumps were chosen for the Econolines, as NVC doesn't seem to be a big deal for vans.

[Bronco638]

C.Jett wrote

Dave, it’s another Ford oddity, you did it correct, but a warning, Do Not
move steering unless engine is running, it will burp fluid every where. Ask
me how I know. Another Ford oddity. CJ

I recalled that from the early Mustangs but also got a messy reminder when I brought the truck home in late April. With the truck still on the tow dolly, I had to unlock the steering column so the wheels would turn enough to back the truck into the driveway. Fortunately most of the mess was in the street....