Power steering problems when hot

[Jimmyjames]

I have a BC broncos power steering set up and 32' tires. When I first crank up the bronc the power steering works great but once everything heats up I have very little to no power steering. Is my pump shot? There seams to be plenty of fluid and I have no leaks. Would a cooler of some sort help out? If so what type would I need?

Thanks in advance.

JJ

 

[Scoop]

I would try a cooler first. I had the stock little cooler on mine and went through about 3 pumps before I upgraded to a Saginaw pump and installed a 7" x 12" tranny cooler as a ps pump cooler (mounted in front of the radiator). I have not had any problems since.

 

[Gummi Bear]

Has it gotten really difficult to steer at times?

It may have scorched. There may be trash in the system, from pieces breaking down.

Some will argue, but I say that replacing the hoses is money well spent.

Pony up for a good cooler, any small transmission cooler from the local auto supply will do a very nice job. Mount it to the front of the radiator.

www.pscmotorsports.com does a great job of rebuilding boxes, and offers everything you might need for steering. Most of us here in Texas run their stuff.

West Texas Offroad also does box rebuilds, and has a good reputation, I'm not sure about what all he keeps in inventory.

Howe, Station and a couple of others are also quite capable of getting you set up.

 

[BG's 68 Bronco]

how's the fluid?? Any air bubbles? looks clean? Just throwing out some cheap ideas.

 

[Jimmyjames]

The fluid looks good no bubbles or trash and it looks like it just came out of the bottle, but once it warms up no power steering.

JJ

 

[Pa PITT]

Whick pump do you have ...

 

[Jimmyjames]

Whick pump do you have ...

The pump is a Saginaw, the box is a rebuilt f150 4x4.

JJ

 

[Pa PITT]

I'm still thinking on your answer what fluid are you using ...If all of the pump and gear box is fine ...then what's the probem i'm thinking. TTT.

 

[u0061914]

I'm having exactly the same issue with mine. I have a stock pump(new) and a stock gearbox. I did replace the stock cooler with a larger one that came from a 80 something chevy van. It is mounted under the hood like the stock one. I think I will try a larger cooler and mount it in front of the radiator and see if that helps. I'm running ATF for fluid (type F). Anyone else have any ideas? One thing I should mention in my case, I do have a leak at the input shaft. based on the fact that it works fine when cool, I don't think that is related.

 

[Eoth]

I am not a fluid expert but there does appear to be a difference between Steering Fluid and ATF. Most systems probably can handle it fine, but some cannot... If you are having what appears to be some type of "Thermal Breakdown" I would switch to a synthetic power steering fluid (or at least a high quality convential)

CONSUMER WARNING:

UNDER NO CONDITION IS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID (ATF) TO BE USED IN POWER STEERING SYSTEMS. DO NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO SUBSTITUTE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID FOR POWER STEERING FLUID IN YOUR CAR UNLESS SPECIFIED BY YOUR VEHICLE'S MANUFACTURER! The pressure in a power steering system during hard turns is much higher than that in an automatic transmission under load. The ATF will become very hot under pressure and break down much faster than power steering fluid. Once this electrochemical degradation begins, your power steering pump and rack and pinion will be subject to leaks, stiffness or complete power steering system failure.

 

[76 bronco J]

,,,,,,type F fluid was the recommended power steering fluid for many many years in most if not all of ford's vehicles,,, I've also ran it through the salvage yard 97' explorer pump for the last 20,000 miles or so with no issues what so ever,,, here's a link to there newer type F container labels which says in plain english "automatic transmission fluid & power steering fluid" ......... http://fcsdchemicalsandlubricants.c...er+Steering+Fluid&category=Transmission+Fluid

 

[Eoth]

Yes I know that the lables say that you can use them in both Trans and steering. Its just a cheap fix to try. The symptoms are classic overheating and his current configuration should not be an issue with heat.... I suspect that there is some kind of restriction (obstruction, buildup, etc..) that is causing even higher pressure than normal. Eventually the pressure translates into higher temps and then thermal issues. A couple of bucks worth of high quality steering fluid is worth a try....

 

[u0061914]

I'll give the Power Steering Fluid a try this weekend. For a few dollars it is definately worth a shot. I'm also looking at doing the Napa pump conversion. I'm running 35x14.50 boggers, which is a big load on a stock pump.

 

[Skiddy]

I'll give the Power Steering Fluid a try this weekend. For a few dollars it is definately worth a shot. I'm also looking at doing the Napa pump conversion. I'm running 35x14.50 boggers, which is a big load on a stock pump.

Same tires I run and it does put a strain on the stock pump. The napa upgrade is great, haven't done it yet but my pump still works ok for now

 

[SaddleUp]

,,,,,,type F fluid was the recommended power steering fluid for many many years in most if not all of ford's vehicles,,,

I found an owners manual for somewhere around a 2005 Ford truck (if I recall correctly) that still lists ATF as the recommended fluid for the power steering.

If the fluid is boiling with just normal use then I would suspect that there is a problem somewhere in the system.

 

[u0061914]

Before I swap the Napa pump on this weekend, I'm thinking that I can flush out the lines. Would it be OK to pull the retuen line off the pump and spin the engine over to pump out all the fluid. Maybe if there is any crap in there it will flush it out?