4.9L Power steering pump problems

bigboy5011 · #1 09-10-2011, 01:34 AM

So I have been having problems getting the truck started lately. Belt squeaks for first 10 sec after start up. It takes anywhere from 3-7 seconds before it kicks over and rumbles on. Talked to my mech and he took a look at it...10 min later he said my power steering pump is bad and I need a new one...I said ok sounds easy enough I guess. He said no, you need a special tool and you wont be able to find it anywhere but I got one if you want me to do it.

Instead of paying out the a** for this...what are the signs for a bad pwr steering pump? It is is loud, but has dark red fluid and doesn't leak a drop.

Talked to O'Reilly's and they have the puller for the pwr pump that I can rent. But my Chiltons dosen't have anything on replacing it...is it difficult?

Any info would be amazing!

adrianspeeder · #2 09-10-2011, 06:25 AM

Straight forward easy job if you have the correct pully puller for your year and pully type. Serpentine? Metal or plastic pully?

A cheap set of line wrenches will make it much easier to take off the pressure hose without rounding it off.

Adrianspeeder

losthillbilly73 · #3 09-10-2011, 09:32 AM

power steering pumps shouldnt have dark red fuid in them and they should only make a little hum when u turn when not moving

bigboy5011 · #4 09-10-2011, 10:37 AM

So what is the best fluid to put in the power steering pump?
When I bought the truck it did have a bottle of ATF fluid stuck in front of the air box...and it was red colored.
I really dont want to change the pump, it lookes newer. And is a motorcraft itself so I know its been changed. Should I just drain it and refill with something different?

bigboy5011 · #5 09-10-2011, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adrianspeeder

Straight forward easy job if you have the correct pully puller for your year and pully type. Serpentine? Metal or plastic pully?

A cheap set of line wrenches will make it much easier to take off the pressure hose without rounding it off.

It is serpentine, and all of the pullies are metal. Which is good cause I would just swap in metal ones anyway...lol

losthillbilly73 · #6 09-10-2011, 11:41 AM

atf is for automatic transmissions get any reputable power steering fluid from any parts store. i always used prestone but its upto u. my mom burnt her powersteering pump up putting motor oil in there u want the correct fluid

bigboy5011 · #7 09-10-2011, 01:27 PM

Well that is good to know. I wonder why he would have put ATF in there...any thoughts?
I was lost when I cleaned the engine bay to find that. Considering I have a 5 speed and it was ATF...lol

losthillbilly73 · #8 09-10-2011, 01:57 PM

probly had it on the shelf and didnt know no better or some one who thinks they know what they are talkin bout told him to use it lol but yeah do not use atf on anything in your truck

bigboy5011 · #9 09-10-2011, 04:39 PM

Would having the wrong fluid put enough stress on the belt to make it squek at start up?

losthillbilly73 · #10 09-10-2011, 05:00 PM

hard to tell have someone else start the truck and see if the belt is slipping on the power steering pump. and/or take the belt off the pump and turn the pump by hand it should turn freely without binding stopping suddenly or feelin like its full of sand.

anouther thing that can make it squiel is the tenchener is losing its spring tenchen and when under start up load letting the belt slip

if thats the prob if u rev it up it should squiek but thencheners are easy and cheap one bolt n $40

russo2 · #11 09-10-2011, 05:10 PM

First off, you can use atf in the power steering pump, it comes from the factory with atf not actual power steering fluid.
And the 5 speed uses atf not gear oil like the old 4 speeds.
If you look in the chiltons guide it will tell you to use mercon v for the trans, that is atf.

bigboy5011 · #12 09-10-2011, 05:25 PM

Are you sure on that? I just need to know...I bought some powersteering fluid from walmart and was just going to drain the pump and replace with the new stuff and see what happens.
I took the belt off last night and it turns but not freely. It feels like it is getting caught every half turn or so...

losthillbilly73 · #13 09-10-2011, 07:03 PM

ive never seen a powersteering pump with atf in it ive herd of puting atf in the m5od but i personaly never dun it in mine i used 70-140. yes my m5od i use 80-90 in my t18

how bad is it getting caught is it stickin or just slowin down

losthillbilly73 · #14 09-10-2011, 07:06 PM

id just go to the junkyard find one thats still got fluid in it and spins freely and just swap it shouldnt cost that much

russo2 · #15 09-10-2011, 10:58 PM

I'm positive, but I use power steering fluid in mine.
The m5 calls for mercon v atf.