Power steering no longer working. Harder to steer than with the engine off

[admin]

Recently went to move the Bronco around the garage and immediately noticed steering was a bear. With the engine running it's actually harder to steer than with the engine off.

Factory Bronco PS box and Saginaw PS pump. The PS pump is definitely turning and the belt isn't slipping. Pump/pulley rotates by hand with little resistance. PS fluid level is good and no leaks at the pump, hoses or box.

I jacked up the front end and steering was very easy, so it doesn't seem that mechanically anything is binding. However, when I turn right I reach a spot where there is more resistance. Once I muscle through that spot, I still have another 3/4 turn of the steering wheel before full lock. No issues at all turning left.

I noticed the pump was rocking a bit in it's bracket as I was turning the wheel back and forth. One of the 2 bolts holding the pump to the bracket was loose. (the lower one that I can't get to of course!) I'll need to pull the pulley to get all bolts tightened up, but I can't imagine the pump being loosely attached is what's causing this problem.

So at this point it seems the problem is either the pump or the box. Any way to test either without pulling them out completely?

 

[carter2772]

Not that this will apply to your issue, but i chased a similar problem on my dads Hyundai. I replaced the pump twice. The steering was harder when running like you mention. The problem ended up being that there was a secondary belt that actually drove the PS belt off a shared pulley . I was under the assumption that the ps belt was driven off the crank pulley, but nope... Anywho, not that it helps your situation, im curious what ends up being the problem.... I wonder if something is obstructing the flow?

 

[Yeller]

Stuck relief valve or something failed in the valve on the box. I’ve had the shaft break on the pump on start up before. Everything seams fine but no power. With the hard spot is it every time or just once?

I’m thinking as I’m typing… dangerous… lol. Are you running a stock steering shaft from the column to the box that does not collapse? It is possible that something has moved and jammed the shaft causing a miss alignment on the valve in the box. This would also explain the hard spot.

 

[gnpenning]

What happens if you bring the RPM up?

 

[Viperwolf1]

I can tell you exactly what causes the steering to be tighter in one direction, but you're not gonna want to hear it. Bent sector shaft. You'll know for sure when you try to remove it and it won't want to come out.

 

[admin]

What happens if you bring the RPM up?

My recollection is engine speed made no difference, but I can't test that specifically at the moment because I pulled the pump off. I'll get it back on this week and confirm.

 

[admin]

I can tell you exactly what causes the steering to be tighter in one direction, but you're not gonna want to hear it. Bent sector shaft. You'll know for sure when you try to remove it and it won't want to come out.

Well of course, because the box is the most expensive option!

It's certainly possible, although I haven't driven it offroad in a while, so no recent trauma or stress on the steering other than normal street driving. I'm just trying to envision what could have bent the sector shaft between the last time I drove it and yesterday.

I assume I can check the sector shaft by disconnecting the pitman arm, removing the box top cover and trying to remove the sector shaft out the top of the box? (all while still bolted to the Bronco)

 

[Viperwolf1]

Yes. Don't mess with adjuster at the top and center the steering and it should come right out.

It's possible it was bent earlier. With the pump working the tight spot would be less noticeable.

 

[Yeller]

I didn’t even think about the sector shaft…

 

[SteveL]

Hey Jon, before you go pulling the box apart have someone turn the wheel back and forth slowly .while they turn the wheel take a look at the shaft rotation at the bottom of the box. No need to remove the pitman

 

[admin]

You're saying I'll be able to see a bent sector shaft because it will wobble as the steering wheel turns?

 

[Wild horse 75]

Is it a keyed or pressed on pulley? Just went through this with a car. The pulley was spinning on the shaft so the pump wasn’t actually turning. You can also check inside the reservoir to ensure the shaft hasn’t broken inside the pump. The fluid will always be moving if it’s actually pumping.

 

[Broncobowsher]

That stiff spot with the axle jacked up has me worried a bit. Drop the drag link just to make sure there is nothing outside the box causing it. If it is still there, I'm saying the box needs to go out for a rebuild.

 

[SteveL]

You're saying I'll be able to see a bent sector shaft because it will wobble as the steering wheel turns?

We wre able to on my buddies 66. I don't remember what steering issue we were dealing with but we were able to see it when he turned the wheel. Also don't remember if it was jacked up or on the ground.