So I recently replaced my PS due to it going completely out on me. After I replaced it with a new one it was acting normal- great PS, brakes were feeling normal). Now, a month and a half later, my PS is starting to squeal again & I was noticing what I thought was very small air bubbles in the reservoir. I took it up to the shop to have it looked at and they said it looked like there was metal in the fluid, so I took it and had a full system flush done on it. It sounded fine for the 1st 100 or so miles and now it is back to the same thing- squealing and brakes feeling soft. I was hoping to save this PS pump before it too goes bad but I think it might be at the point of no return as well. I am tired of dealing with this issue and was wondering what it could possibly be. I was told that maybe my steering gear is going bad? If so which one should I replace it with? What are some other ideas/possibilities of what could be going on and how to fix? Let me know if you need more information? Thanks

 

Best bet is to flush and replace the whole lot, pump, box, booster and all if it's self destructing internally. Once the gear gets bad it will just keep doing it. Then install a Magnefine filter in the return line to avoid this situation in the future.

Haven't heard of one going like that, tho. How many miles on it?

 

I was afraid of hearing something along those lines... I figured that would be the best option but I was trying to avoid doing that. The truck just turned 31,xxx miles! Its crazy, I know. You would be shocked if you knew the crap I have had to go through with this truck!! I will have to look up the Magnefine filter, never heard of that. THanks

 

the brakes arent tied into your steering.

 

Hydrobooster+PS+PS GEAR all tied together= Brakes tied into the steering system. With out power steering the hydroboost doesn't receive proper pressure to apply normal brake pressure, therefore brakes are weak and very unresponsive & affected by the failure of the steering (especially if my steering gear is sending metal through the system & screwing my PS pump).

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I didn't mean PS Gear, I ment Steering Gear Box...

 

yup you're right. I never noticed that before on my 04.5.

Regardless. air bubbles in your PS is bad. it can make your PS pump fail. They need to be bled after install. probably why you are seeing chunks of metal. you might be able to save it by doing a total flush. when filling back up save room for LUCAS power steering steering fluid. add that. works well. (cures the "Ford PS pump wine")

 

I had a full flush done and it is still doing it. Then I stopped by the parts shop and picked up some of the Lucas PS fluid and it did help at first, but the noise is still there... I have no clue anymore, prolly going to replace everything....