This Explorer power steering sucks

[Bundy]

So was it $200 for the pump rebuild and the reservoir? Thats a good price if so.

It was $225 total to rebuild the pump and have the custom reservoir... but add another $100 for my cost because of the pump I killed.%)

 

[nutter3]

Bundy, What is that radiator hose you are using? I have some issues with my GTO hose rubbing on the PS pulley. I like how your's routes down behind the PS pump.
Thanks.
Oh, and just so this inst a thread hijack, I used the stock explorer pump and it turns my little bitty tires just fine. I had no issues whatsoever priming it and purging the air form the pump.

 

[Bundy]

Nutter, I think you must have had a good-n-primed pump? Did it take you a long time to burp the system? Are you using the stock reservoir?

The radiator hoses are two hoses with a muffler cuffling, from the serp tech article. It was pretty simple.

From the tech article:
"......GTO hose and a E71317 Radiator hose from advance auto (Dayco 713217, rockauto.com says it is for a 1987-1997 F-250) with a muffler coupler splicing the two together, advance number (548519, 1-1/2 x 1 -1/2) . This routes the upper hose around the back side of the power steering bracket, so it will work if this area is not already populated with other stuff in your application."

 

[DirtDonk]

I like the idea of a non-plastic reservoir too. As far as reservoirs go though, I thought the Exploder one looked as good as you can get. With decent capacity, a nice screen and multi-level arrangement that should keep aeration to a minimum. In fact, it looks to me like it's specifically designed to remove bubbles from the fluid if they do appear.
But that's a completely un-educated guess. I'm no fluid-dynamics engineer, but that's how it looked to my shade-tree eyes.

I wonder too, are any of you running a cooler and/or filter in your PS lines? And if so, I wonder if you're the ones with good or bad luck with the stock setups? And perhaps are experiencing extended bleed times too?
Just curious.

Paul

 

[nutter3]

Bundy, It did not take me long at all to burp the system. I am using the stock reservoir that I had to lower and move back just a little to clear the hood. I do not have the hydroboost installed yet, when I do I will add a return fitting to the reservoir for that. Thanks for the radiator hose tip. I didnt see that in the tech article.

DirtDonk- I do have a PS cooler. It is from a 2006 Dodge ram diesel. I just cut the bends off it (lines come straight out of it) and mounted it in front of my radiator. It worked out pretty good and I had it laying around so it was "free"

 

[86Horn_EB_77]

Explorer Pump Upgrade?

Ok - bringing this pump thread back to life because I want to wake Lars up and pick his brain for possible "el cheapo" pump upgrades. (see page 1/2 of this thread)

Based on his pics earlier in this thread, I think I'm going to buy a Superduty reman pump, pull the guts out of it, and transfer them to an Explorer pump.

I'm going to port the housing and do what I can to raise the pressure if I can figure out what he did to his pump housing.

Best I can tell from his pics, his "late" Super Duty power steering pump is from an 06 F-250 5.4L - at least the Rock Auto pics match his pics. The Cardone part number is 20321 or Fenco SP17197 from Advance Auto.

I'm willing to invest $50 + $20 core to see if I can improve the performance of my Explorer pump. I'll try to keep ya'll posted with my progress.

Lars - feel free to step in...

 

[6daze]

Ok - bringing this pump thread back to life because I want to wake Lars up and pick his brain for possible "el cheapo" pump upgrades. (see page 1/2 of this thread)

Based on his pics earlier in this thread, I think I'm going to buy a Superduty reman pump, pull the guts out of it, and transfer them to an Explorer pump.

I'm going to port the housing and do what I can to raise the pressure if I can figure out what he did to his pump housing.

Best I can tell from his pics, his "late" Super Duty power steering pump is from an 06 F-250 5.4L - at least the Rock Auto pics match his pics. The Cardone part number is 20321 or Fenco SP17197 from Advance Auto.

I'm willing to invest $50 + $20 core to see if I can improve the performance of my Explorer pump. I'll try to keep ya'll posted with my progress.

Lars - feel free to step in...

Why don't you just send the Explorer pump to Lee for a rebuild? It was about $100 with shipping in SoCal.

 

[86Horn_EB_77]

I want more than a rebuild - I want to swap the SD pump "guts" (rotor and vanes, I assume) over to the Explorer pump, and then port the Explorer housing for more flow.

Basically I want to create the same "Extreme" pump that WH sells for $250-300...

You can buy a rebuild kit at any Auto Parts for the Explorer PS pump - but it only includes seals and o-rings. I want to swap the "hard parts" over to the Explorer pump - and try to figure out what makes them tick. The rebuild kit is common between the two pumps - so that means they are very similar inside.

This will probably end up as more of a science experiment than a money-saving venture - I'm tired of buying $50 rebuilt pumps - and finding out that they are junk - I want to understand "why" they are junk - so I can make more "junk"

 

[Bundy]

Man, talk about bringing back bad memories!

Let us know what you find out- would make a great tech article.

 

[86Horn_EB_77]

A badly rebuilt Explorer pump pretty much tanked any chance I had to make the LEBC round-up this year - so I am Motivated !!!

Tech article would be awesome - especially if Lars will help a newbie like me...

I'd like to see the Explorer Serp Swap tech article updated too - you can't just use the Russell high pressure o-ring fitting as is - you gotta cut it off - or you will get almost no flow out of the pump !!!

 

[DanWheeler]

I dont understand the problem. I'm using a stock Explorer pump, with a stock reservoir, unmodified Russel fittings pushing around 41s with a hydro assist cylinder and hydroboost and it works great. zero issues.

The one that came with my Explorer motor worked great until it died (made it 120k miles) and the new one that I got from NAPA is working great out of the box.

If it works for me, it should work for you. If it doesn't, sounds like you may have other issues to work out. It even worked OK with the 41s before I hooked up the hydro assist.

even in jams like this

thats a pretty tall order and the stock Explorer pump keeps up.

 

[KyleQ]

My PSC pump isn't keeping up with my double ended setup, but I'm pointing towards the stock plastic reservoir not feeding the pump enough. I should try the factory pump and see how it does, lol...

 

[86Horn_EB_77]

Dan - what fitting are you using at the Explorer pump output?

An "unmodified" Russell 18mm O-ring to -6AN adapter or a Lee Manf -6 AN Steel fitting? I had to cut off the o-ring portion of my Russell fitting to get any flow out of the pump - I had no HB or steering otherwise.

I now think that an explorer pump will work OK with a modified Russell fitting, but you are putting 1600-1800 psi thru an alumunum fitting that will someday fatigue and create a spectatular fountain of PS Fluid on top of the pump. I strongly recommend the Lee fitting and Alumunum washer.

The rest of my Russell fittings in the HB/PS system are fine - they flow just fine.

I would like to upgrade my reservoir for dual returns and more capacity - although I do like to see the fluid move around in my Explorer plastic tank.

 

[DanWheeler]

Dan - what fitting are you using at the Explorer pump output?

oh I thought you mean the other fittings like on the h-boost but I guess that doesn't make sense. Yes, I'm using the Lee's fitting.

FWIW - I dont have dual returns, just a TEE near the reservoir. Again, works great.

I guess another variable is the cooler. I am using this one (don't remember brand or model)

 

[6daze]

I want more than a rebuild - I want to swap the SD pump "guts" (rotor and vanes, I assume) over to the Explorer pump, and then port the Explorer housing for more flow.

Basically I want to create the same "Extreme" pump that WH sells for $250-300...

You can buy a rebuild kit at any Auto Parts for the Explorer PS pump - but it only includes seals and o-rings. I want to swap the "hard parts" over to the Explorer pump - and try to figure out what makes them tick. The rebuild kit is common between the two pumps - so that means they are very similar inside.

This will probably end up as more of a science experiment than a money-saving venture - I'm tired of buying $50 rebuilt pumps - and finding out that they are junk - I want to understand "why" they are junk - so I can make more "junk"

Sounds like a neat project, I wish you luck. FWIW the pump in my super duty sucks!

I can't turn 35's unless the truck is moving. I am sending it off to Lee for a pro rebuild.

 

[DanWheeler]

This will probably end up as more of a science experiment than a money-saving venture - I'm tired of buying $50 rebuilt pumps - and finding out that they are junk - I want to understand "why" they are junk - so I can make more "junk"

ooooooohhh.... well then you need to read this:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=973826

 

[86Horn_EB_77]

THANKS DAN.

I should have known that some on Pirate would already be WAAAAY deep into pumps. So it looks like the Explorer pump is really a "TC" pump according to his lingo. I wonder if the "CB" pump is the Superduty pump?

I have ordered a Superduty pump and should have it in my hands in a few days - can't wait to pull it apart and compore to one of my explorer pumps.

I still have alot of the Pirate thread to digest but it looks like there may be gains possible by porting the inlet of the pump - and this would help reduce cavitation. Also makes me want a bigger reservoir and some really good hose clamps on that Res to pump hose - sucking air into the pump supply port is bad news

 

[86Horn_EB_77]

OK... I pulled the guts out a 2005 F250 PS pump (shaft, rotor, vanes, cam body (everything - even the relief piston and spring) - and swapped into my 96 V8 Exploder pump. I even drilled out the power steering pressure switch tube that's pressed into the low side of pump - it was blocking a big portion of the inlet.

And... no love... The pump is noisy at idle and just gets worse when you rev. I've got hydroboost but hardly enough pressure for power steering unless I'm moving and can rev the engine to 2000.

Question - how "active" is your Explorer PS pump resevoir supposed to be? Mine is still kind of "active" when I cramp the power steering. I'm trying the back and forth with engine on/off but it's not helping...

I'm going to swap in another stock 96 Explorer rebuild pump and see what happens - I'm really tired of swapping pumps...

 

[Ranchtruck]

Are you sure its the pump and not a problem with the hydroboost?

 

[mattt]

Have you thought about just buying an already boosted pump or sending your off to be done?