Powerstroke power steering problem

J.STIEG

MEMBER
2000 FORD F-350
200,000 MILES

Working on a 00 powerstroke and the power steering and brake pedal is hard to move.

A pump was recently put on but no change.
Also regular PS fluid was drained and replaced with ATF fluid

Please advise on troubleshooting problem. Thanks

6 Replies

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

Get rid of the atf first. Check the hydra vac as it may not be giving the power to both the brake and steering. The pump pumps there first then to the steering.

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Tuesday, September 11th, 2012 AT 10:29 PM

J.STIEG

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352 POSTS

What is the "hydra vac"? Never heard of it.

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Tuesday, September 11th, 2012 AT 10:34 PM

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

It's your brake booster the hydraulic unit behind the master cylinder. It may be bad

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Tuesday, September 11th, 2012 AT 11:15 PM

J.STIEG

MEMBER
352 POSTS

It very well could be. I think there is a total of three lines at power steering pump & reservoir. There does not seem to be any return to the reservoir so there could be blockage somewhere.

Just trying to sort these hoses out, the one going to the plastic nipple on reservoir should be return. Looks like a steel pressure on the side of pump, and there is one on the bottom don't know what it is, maybe another return?

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Wednesday, September 12th, 2012 AT 7:55 AM

J.STIEG

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352 POSTS

I meant to say there isn't any fluid flow returning to reservoir. In first paragraph of last post.

Anyway I will check the brake booster out. I'm open to any troubleshooting techniques.