Noisy Power Steering

[BigBrother-84]

Ok, good advice.
I'll start that way.

[AmericanSavage]

One thing I do not understand is why did not Ford run the PS line through a FINNED cooler.  That would help a lot!  

The extra line going around the Cross Member is fine, and adds volume, but heat transfer needs fins I would think.

[ArdWrknTrk]

I never noticed that my old C2 was running hot?  
Certainly the Saginaw doesn't.

They should be thoroughly warm just like any other hydraulic system.

[85lebaront2]

That cross member is a pretty good heat sink and is at least as effective as a little finned loop on the AC compressor

[BigBrother-84]

ArdWrknTrk wrote

Jeff, your arrow is pointing to the input shaft seal.
If it were me I would pull the plastic rag joint shroud back up the shaft and thoroughly clean the area.
Start the engine and observe for where it's coming from.
Maybe have someone else turn the wheels while I watched closely for weeping.

Test done.  Yep, the PS gear box started to leak, generously.  This old original box is at the end of the road.


I decided it is time for a PS renewal.  I do not want to dig myself in a refurbishment of the gear box, so I'll simply change it.
Since Blue Top doesn't ship across the border, and Redhead isn't cheap (US to CAD $ exchange, plus expansive shipping), I'll go with NAPA refurbished one, correct price and lifetime warranty.

Playing in that area of the truck, I'll change the PS pump too.  I'll buy myself a nice treat with a Lee replacement PS pump.  We'll see how it does, hoping it will live up to my expectations, stay tuned.

The column itself is a NOS installed during resto, was lucky to find it.

So, after this operation, the PS will be like new.

[Gary Lewis]

Be aware that all refurbished steering boxes, other than Redhead & Blue Top, just re-use an already worn casting. So they will have some slop, and how much is down to the luck of the draw.

The PO of Big Blue put a high-dollar rebuilt box on and it is surely where the play is. I really wish he’d spent the money and gotten a Redhead or Blue Top. Everything else is new, but the steering still isn’t tight.

[BigBrother-84]

Gary Lewis wrote

Be aware that all refurbished steering boxes, other than Redhead & Blue Top, just re-use an already worn casting.

Yep, there are plenty of comments on the Forum about that, I am aware of.
But across the border, a Redhead is very very expansive.
So I take a chance with a rebuilt NAPA one, crossing fingers.  Really need to fix this oil leak.
If I go to US, I'll probably consider to take a Blue Top aboard.  We'll see.

[Gary Lewis]

I understand. Just wanted to make sure you are aware of the issues.

[Gsmblue]

That Lares PS pump looks interesting.

I have 33inch tires on Espy right now so anything that helps the lil C2 out is a good thing. Seems to be a fair compromise between performance and $.

Anyone installed one and have any feedback?

[AmericanSavage]

The Lares for me is excellent.

Lee has a C2 with Saginaw guts, but it is spendy.  One reason to convert to saginaw is BIG tires.  

As for Bluetop:  I bought and installed one a few months ago.  I can confirm it is WELL WORTH the money, especially when combined with a borgeson.  

[Gsmblue]

I have the blue top and borg and they are great. The PS pump I have is an auto zone C2 that hasn't complained too bad as of yet. With the 31inch tires I had, it all felt pretty good. Since going to 33inch tires it has all got a little sloppy again.

I am in the process (many months of purchases) of accumulating all the parts of a front end rebuild (from pitman arm to wheel hubs and bearings, ball joints and shocks/springs and everything else I could think of), it would seem to be a good idea to upgrade the PS pump as part of all this.

The Lares is now officially on my list...

[BigBrother-84]

Gsmblue wrote

That Lares PS pump looks interesting.
Anyone installed one and have any feedback?

Earlier this month, I emailed Lares and asked about their CII:
Is this pump exact reproduction of Ford OEM ones?  Which are well known to be a bit noisy...  Or maybe you made some modifications about it?

Their answer:
Hello JF,
Yes our part #12338 is a upgraded design which runs quieter than the original OE.

I really considered the Lares' one.
Seems to be very interesting.

I hesitated a lot, but finally decided to go with the Lee, I am really intrigued about this CII with Saginaw guts...

[Gsmblue]

I am sure that is the best way to go, looking forward to hearing how it works for you.

Money is tight this year, so we will see where it goes. The C2 is not complaining too much as of yet, so let's see what happens after the front end rebuild. At least replacing the pump is easy and I can do it any time.

[81-F150-Explorer]

AmericanSavage wrote

One thing I do not understand is why did not Ford run the PS line through a FINNED cooler.  That would help a lot!  

The extra line going around the Cross Member is fine, and adds volume, but heat transfer needs fins I would think.

My 1972 F-250 had a Finned PS cooler. Wonder how hard that would be to engineer to a newer truck?

-----

Heat can also transfer through direct contact, like through the metal contact between the PS line and crossmember, or your hand if you touch something hot.  

[AmericanSavage]

Hey Jeff,

How do you like the Lee with the Sag guts?  I was considering that one as well.

[BigBrother-84]

Erik, I am waiting about UPS, arrival planned somewhere in the middle of next week.

I plan to do the PS job (pump+box) during the first week of June.

I'll document it here.

[AmericanSavage]

BigBrother-84 wrote

Erik, I am waiting about UPS, arrival planned somewhere in the middle of next week.

I plan to do the PS job (pump+box) during the first week of June.

I'll document it here.

Sweet.  I am interested.  

And as for the comment above on a finned PS—EASY to do.  Those finned unites can be found for less than $40.  I have not done it, but back in the day before JAGG made oil cooler unites for the Harley, they used a fabbed up two tube unit for extra cooling.  Not as pretty as the JAGG but it worked great—cooled at least 20 degrees.

[ArdWrknTrk]

81-F150-Explorer wrote

My 1972 F-250 had a Finned PS cooler. Wonder how hard that would be to engineer to a newer truck?

  If you want some additional cooling cut off the top of the passenger side loop and install a small finned cooler like the Derale 13213 for ~$30
That will keep it up out of the way of most road debris and you won't have to go crazy re-plumbing the whole system.

[BigBrother-84]

UPS dropped the Lee PS pump at my door:




Won't have time next week, will start the PS renewal following week (beginning of June).

[Gary Lewis]

Nice looking pump!