I'm new to the site and have a problem. I have a '01 f150 5.4. I was leaving this A.M. and the power steering was not working. I first checked the fluid level and it was low so I added some fluid. This is the first problem as I picked up the wrong fluid and toped off with BRAKE fluid. I then restarted the engine and could hear noise. I ckecked under the front and saw a pink color fluid dripping from the very front under the shroud at the 2 lines going to the steering head. I pulled the shroud of to start the pump removal and thats when I realized the fluid mistake. I put everything back together except the top shroud. What do I do now?
Thanks for any help

 

I'd start with flushing out that brake fluid and refilling with power steering fluid. You should be fine, but flush it asap!

 

I ran 4 12oz cans thru the system. thats all i could get my hands on as I had to walk to the only store around my parts. I'm going to run another QT. thru in the morn and start all over. It appears to be leaking in the front part of the steering collumn so I'm going to replace the high pressure hose first. Does this sound ok?

 

sounds like you have a major leak. Gotta find that first. get under there and see if its comming from a hose or the pump. Power stearing issues can be no fun. Gotta take off that pully if its the pump or the pressure hose. Thats always a drag.

 

Will I need a special tool to remove the pully?

 

yes you will. autozone has it or you can buy one at harbor freight for about $10. Its PITA useing that tool.. Gotta have it. Worst part of pump repairs is removing the pully.

 

Thanks jethat, I'll get started in the morning.

 

yea, i replaced the PS pump on my 98 4.0 ranger...OMFG that was the worst thing ever..i HATE changing PS pumps that tool is, like jethat said a PITA

 

I may have gotten lucky but not sure yet. After flushing the system again this morning I pulled the lower valance off and low and behold I found 2 lines that went into a small radiator and one of the lines had a crack in it. I called Advanced Auto and was told that it was an aftermarket transmission cooler. I removed it and and connected the 2 hose together and no leak. Power steering is not making any noise and after a short drive i'm going to put everything back together and head to the auto parts store for a new cooler. I hope that is the problem.
Thanks for your help!

 

Do the lines go to the steering or the tranny?

 

I really can't tell but I went by a transmission shop and he first thought it was a transmission cooler but after explaining my symptoms he said it was probably a steering cooler. He suggestion was to cut the line past the slit and install a longer hose as the coil was not the leak source. Is there a cooler for the power steering on an '01 5.4? I ran the truck approx. 100 miles today with no leaks or noise, seems fine with the bypass.

 

It was a power steering cooler after all. I have never heard of one but my '01 F-150 ecab 5.4 has one. I put a new one on this morning and after disconnecting my bypass the fluid leaked out and the only fluids that were low was the power steering fluid. Toped it of with POWER STEERING FLUID, changed the oil for the first time ( always used Superlube) and away I go.
Thanks for all your help!