2003
Ford
F250
V8
I have a 2003 Ford Super Duty F-250. All of a sudden the steering turned very soft. Even if you are parked you can turn the wheel all the way to both sides and feel no pressure at all. In order to turn you have to lightly do so or else it will be a sharp turn. I changed the power steering pump and it did not change anything. It still is very soft. All the mechanics I have talked to do not know what happened or what I should do. Please Help!

So, your saying the wheels are responding normally without any loose play, just steers too easily?

That can only be pressure that is too high and that could only be caused by a pressure valve being stuck open in the pump. I don't see any other way for it to happen.




78 Corvette Pace Car For Sale-18k mi orig-Florida

Yeah that is true, it is working correctly, it is just way too soft and way too easy! I replaced the whole power steering pump today. It did not fix the problem. I have no clue as to what else it can be.

Did you have to transfer any valves from the old pump to the new one?




78 Corvette Pace Car For Sale-18k mi orig-Florida

No I replaced the whole part. I bought a new one and thought that would fix it. I had spoken with quite a few mechanics and each havent heard of this happening before and have no clue how to fix it. I am out of ideas.

Count me in on "never hear of this" on a Ford. They (Fords) like Lincolns from the 60s did have almost no effort to steer and bragged about it as a selling point for such heavy cars. Owned several but it wasn't annoying? There was little "road feel" but you got used to it.

(off topic comment: - Loved those -- pass anything but a gas station!)

A Guess: High pressure hose may have a switch to increase assist as pressure increases with load. Try unplugging if it has that.

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Some old Chrysler's has super easy steering such that a little finger would steer them but that was intended.

Watching and waiting for some fix here??

T
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Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest, Boston

The only thing I can think of is if the return is plugged up somewhere it will drastically increase the pressure. That could be in the Rack or the return hose itself.




78 Corvette Pace Car For Sale-18k mi orig-Florida