power steering question

[jreb333]

Power steering conversion completed today. The replacement column already came with a 15" sport steering wheel that i like. Gearbox, column, pump, cooler all mounted, belts and hoses connected. Jacked it up and ran it left/right to the stops 10 times each to bleed air, fluid level is good.

Here is my question. This thing still requires some muscle to turn while at a standstill. While rolling it is noticably easier to turn than before but still requires a firm grip and full arm involvement. My 96 pathfinder and my 92 cougar can be turned to the stops with a finger while standing still. Is this a limitation of 1960's technology or is something wrong?

[tqwrench]

Normal.

What you describe is one of the reasons for advancements in suspension systems. It's normal. It's due to the limitations of a kingpin-type system. It has to do with the scrub radius which is an imaginary line drawn through the kingpin to the ground and the relationship of the tire tread to the point where those two meet. Wheel offset can affect this as well. Then you factor in the turn itself and the geometry changes.

My 69 F250 acts the same way. Brakes on and it's difficult to turn the steering wheel. I typically pop it in neutral and let my foot off the brake if I have to turn the wheels when the truck is still. Gives it a little "wiggle" room.

I remember my grandmother (who started driving with manual steering) always started turning the wheel in the direction she wanted the car to go forwards as she was completing a backing maneuver. That was in a Buick with power steering. Just an old habit left over from manual steering days.

[jreb333]

Thanks i was worried. Im doing a front suspension rebuild next. Hopefully that will help a bit too.

[Maximus]

One common problem I have read is at idle the stock style power steering pump doesn't put out enough pressure to fully utilize the power steering potential while the engine is idle, if you Rev your motor while at a stop is it easier? I'm converting my Mustang to power steering and going with a GM style pump, I installed a '78/later f150 pump in my '70 f100 but it is performing as I would expect, WAY better than without...

[ultraranger]

Sounds like you have a Ford Thompson ('pencil neck') power steering pump. This pump (TRW) design came out in 1965 to replace the Eaton power steering pump Ford used prior to 1965. 1965 and '66 Thompson pump had the larger diameter fill/dipstick tube on the stamped steel reservoir, shown in following link.

http://image.mustangmonthly.com/f/misce ... g-pump.jpg

In 1967 ('67-'77), the dipstick tube ('pencil neck') on the housing was much smaller in diameter than the earlier '65/'66 version.

http://susanbaughmandesign.com/ClassicF ... ps-055.jpg


In 1978, Ford replaced the Thompson pump with the Ford CII (C2) power steering pump. It has an aluminum pump housing and a plastic reservoir with large fill/dipstick tube. This style pump was used on many Ford cars, trucks and SUVs through 2001.

http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q53 ... fb1ff2.jpg

Ford Super Duty through around 1996 had hydroboost brakes with the C2 power steering pump. The reservoir on them have an extra fluid return line that attaches at the base of the fill/dipstick tube.

http://m.oreillyauto.com/img/c/gw_360/t ... 8f-lef.jpg


A heavy-duty Ford Saginaw power steering pump was available on:
FORD BRONCO (1978 - 1988)
FORD F-100 (1978 - 1979)
FORD F-100 SUPER CAB (1978 - 1979)
FORD F-150 (1978 - 1979)
FORD F-150 SUPER CAB (1978 - 1979)
FORD F-250 (1978 - 1979)
FORD F-250 SUPER CAB (1978 - 1979)
FORD F-350 (1978 - 1979)
FORD F-350 SUPER CAB (1978 - 1979)

Older style Saginaw power steering pump compared to Thompson pump.

http://classicbroncos.com/img/ps-pumps.jpg


Newer style Ford Saginaw power steering pump.

http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazin ... aw/sp1.jpg

http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazin ... aw/sp2.jpg