volunteering with Gustav evacuated.. truck out of commission. help asap please!

beaurogel81 · #1 08-31-2008, 05:08 PM

here is where my power steering fluid is leaking out. i have NO power steering now. everytime i wipe the Boot, it just keeps coming.. bought 2 quarts of fluid but dont know what i need to do to stop the leak. i have been using my truck to haul supplies to all the shelters in my area for the Gustav people. need it back and running asap. please help!

http://a684.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/59/l_08064eb0491a700ae662417229b22473.jpg

rednoved · #2 08-31-2008, 05:14 PM

tape? replace the boot?

Klitch · #3 08-31-2008, 05:40 PM

electrical tape dont work well on the boot, i tried that since i couldnt find duct tape.

also, your leaking power steering fluid out the boot? sounds like you have a bigger issue there that your gonna have to have down time for. ill go look at the book.

04+ uses rack & pinion?

JMC · #4 08-31-2008, 05:46 PM

Looks like the Tie Rod end at rack is leaking into the boot. The boot is cut and it is leaking out at that point. Replace seal to stop leak

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

Klitch · #5 08-31-2008, 05:48 PM

JMC, i dont think its a easy job to do in the truck. i dont have a 04+ nor do u?

JMC · #6 08-31-2008, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klitch

JMC, i dont think its a easy job to do in the truck. i dont have a 04+ nor do u?

I am confused by your post. Please elaborate. I do not own an 04+ but my knowledge is not limited to 97-04 Heritage F-150s. I never told him to do it in the truck I simply posted the cause of the leak and what has to be done to fix it.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

beaurogel81 · #7 08-31-2008, 06:29 PM

so as a temporary fix, i cant just tape the boot? i have that PVC tape that stretches and molds to itself. great stuff. or will it hurt me to drive without power steering for the next 2 days? well, i know it will hurt me, but will it hurt my truck and cause further damage?

Klitch · #8 08-31-2008, 08:44 PM

sorry to confuse ya, i was trying to think if it was something that could be done in place to cut down time. i didnt know if you had 04+ experience.

exitwound · #9 08-31-2008, 09:41 PM

It can be done in the truck. It is just a regular lip seal that can just be pulled out and replaced. Taping the boot is not going to do anything to stop or slow the leak. Get a small self tapping wood screw and screw it into the face of the seal and it will pop out, then just replace with the new seal. Simple fix can be done in an hour if everything goes somewhat smooth.

beaurogel81 · #10 08-31-2008, 10:15 PM

where do i buy a seal? and what is it called?

exitwound · #11 08-31-2008, 11:35 PM

When I helped a friend change it on his truck we couldn't find a parts store that had one so we went to a local bearing shop and they crossed it to a National or CR and found it on their shelf. Took it back and had it installed in no time. Get the front wheels off of the ground, turn the steering wheel all the way to the left( your pic looks like it's leaking on the right side) remove the outer tie rod from the knuckle, remove the inner tie rod from the rack then turn the steering wheel all the way the opposite way and then you will be able to see and reack the seal easily. Take your self tapping screw and screw it into the face of the seal and it should just pop it out. Then just replace, but be careful because radial lip seals are easy to damage by rolling the lip. Just take your time and make sure everything is clean before you reinstall the seal and you should be good to go.

beaurogel81 · #12 09-01-2008, 03:51 AM

yeah, me and my buddy looked at it tonight. the gears on the steering motor are all chewed up. gonna go pick a new one up on tuesday (hopefully, depending on the weather) from the Ford dealership and we are gonna put it on ourselves. thanks guys.