Power Steering Pressures

[Nickelplate]

Hey all!
I have done the Saginaw swap in my 1986 Bronco (serpentine front accessories from a 94) and I didn't really notice any difference in how sensitive the steering is. I recently got all new ball joints and tie rod ends, because the old ones had visible slop in them, and now I am experiencing memory steer and extremely sensitive steering.

The ball joints from Mevotech had a TSB about memory steer, and after following their procedure, most of the memory steer went away. But I think the tie rod ends are still causing a little bit of memory steer. Now that all the components are super tight, I am noticing that the steering is pretty dang sensitive.

So my question is, does anyone know what the difference is between the pressure of a stock ford pump and the saginaw? Should I get a flow restrictor that brings it back down to the stock pump levels?

[C.Jett]

Nickel plate, my 85 4.9 is stock and I have the same problem. Someone said to loosen adjustment on steering gear box, just a small amount at a time. Since it’s on jackstands, haven’t had a chance to try. CJ

[Gary Lewis]

Somehow I missed this.  But if someone has adjusted the steering box then you may well have problems tracking.

As for pressures, this thread has some data on that.

[Nickelplate]

Interesting! No one has done anything with the steering box, so at least that is safe.

I looked at the pressure posted in that other thread, and it seems like the pressures and flow rates are different between the two pumps, but the ratings we have are the pressures at which a bypass valve opens?

[Gary Lewis]

I don't know that we know where those ratings are taken.  But since the flow ratings are taken at different pressures we really cannot compare them.