Power Steering - 3 cyl ford 2000

Hogleg · May 17, 2018

I had a leak from the top of the steering column after I rebuilt the power steering pump. I had rebuilt the pump incorrectly and was pushing on the steering real hard to see if I could purge the air in the lines. Figured out my mistake and got the pump working properly, but soon noticed that I messed up the seal. The seal leaked bad for a while but now has stopped. Bought a new seal anyway, and trying to decide if I need to tackle this issue or if it healed itself, PTL.

The problem I am having is that the pump wants to spit fluid from the top vent on the reservoir. If I top it off, it will spit it out when hot and the fluid looks cloudy. Is it possible that the formerly leaking seal could somehow be causing this?

Pump was rebuilt with a YT kit and a new filter.

Steering works fine otherwise...

WayneB · May 17, 2018

The PS pump on my 4000 is filled not running. If you fill it running, or overfill it, it will spit out.

Ultradog MN · May 18, 2018

John,
I'm assuming you have the new style integral
pump/reservoir? The oil does get air in it
and will look cloudy when it's running. Mine
has for a dozen years anyway. If it is
pushing oil out of the the vent my first
guess would be a plugged filter. Did you
replace it when you resealed the pump? If
not I would do that.
As to the leak below the steering wheel, yes
it is that upper seal. It might hold for a
while but it's not a matter of IF it will
leak but When. I wouldn't mess with it till
it does leak but when it does I would bite
the bullet and replace both the upper and
lower seals in the column. It's not a hard
job. Worst part is pulling the steering
wheel and tin.
We could talk you through it if you do it.

Hogleg · May 18, 2018

Yes I have the integral pump/res. And yes, I replaced the filter when I rebuilt the pump.

I have the upper seal on order, should be here in a day or so. I will go find the lower one and have it sent out as well.

After I pull the wheel, where do I start on pulling the tin?

thanks for the help,
John

Ultradog MN · May 19, 2018

Disconnect battery.
Remove center hood and muffler if vertical.
Remove throttle handle.
Remove choke cable at carb or kill cable at
pump if diesel.
Remove 2 bolts each side under rear of
cowel.
Remove bolts around front of cowel.
Disconnect front and rear halves of wiring
harness.
Disconnect wires to any rear lights and
wires to neutral safety switch.
Disconnect tach cable at generator.
Then grab both sides of front of cowel and
spread them and lift off the firewall.
Kinda tough there. Then pull the cowel.
Diesel is easier than a gasser.
I might have forgotten something but that's
the gist of it.
Personally I would replace both the upper
and lower seals in the column. Yes, you have
to pull the 6 hyd lines to the power block
but you would cuss yourself if you replaced
just the upper seal and then the lower one
started leaking.

Power Steering - 3 cyl ford 2000

Hogleg

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WayneB

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Ultradog MN

Well-known Member

Hogleg

Member

Ultradog MN

Well-known Member

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