Sam VH

Dear fellow F-150 drivers.
I know there are a lot of Power steering topics so I did my homework before posting but I didn’t find a similar case.
Therefore my question in a new topic.

My problem is that I’m loosing power at steering at idle.
I will give a detailed timeline :

1. Car is cold, I start it in Park, engine runs fine.
2. Still in park and engine getting warmed up,
3. I turn the steering wheel left and right, even to the full max
4. result : works fine, no problem, still idle
5. whining noise is normal as all other F-150’s
6. …………………………………………………..
7. after a few min, I get in my car and put it in drive, foot on the break
8. try the steering wheel left & right
9. immediately I feel the steering getting HEAVY
10. makes a louder whining noise
11. at this point, still at idle, foot still on the break.
12. from now on, very heavy steering.
13. ………………………………………………………………………..
14. I take my foot of the break and drive a bit (about 50 ft) with very low rpm
15. steering gets lighter
16. but as I come to a stop, steering gets heavy again.
17. engine is now running in D, at idle
18. BUT…………………………………………………………………………………..
19. I put the car in N or P
20. rev the engine just a little bit
21. power steering comes to life, almost normal power
22. makes a whining noise (louder then normal)
23. ………………………………………………………
24. now when I rev the engine a bit more,
25. power steering has normal power,
26. whining gets again, louder
27. but steering also makes (sometimes) a squeaky rattling noise for a short sec If I turn bute force
28. …………………………
29. I put in D
30. Drive off,
31. Power steering runs fine
32. no noise, just normal whine
33. I drive about 10 miles
34. so the engine is at normal temp now
35. everything still normal.
36. ………………………………………….
37. I come to a stop, let’s say a red light
38. EXACLY the same symptoms beginning a point 9
39. I rev the engine again, as I would get a green light
40. steering back to normal as in point 30

SO, the problem is,
- No power steering at idle,
- Funny noise when I have power but turn the wheel brute


Is there anyone who can advise me what to do.

The problem is, I live in Belgium & my car is an import from the US (Texas) so parts are a bit difficult to order (but I can) and no real F150 dealer,
Need to get the part right on first order.

Do you think I need to fill the fluids ? or do I need to grease a part ?

Please help, I really need the advice.


Many Many thanks & hope to return the favour soon !!!!!!



Sam

86 WV_F150

I have an 1986 F150 and I experience very similar problems. My is manual tranny and I lose power steering at low speeds or moving from stopping position or moving to stopping position. I haven't noticed the whinning noise though. I'm interested in hearing what this problem is as well.

86 WV_F150

I just looked in my haynes manual and this is what they say for troubleshooting:

1-Steering pump drivebelt faulty or not adjusted properly
2-Fluid Level low
3-Hoses or lines restricted, inspect and replace as necessary
4-Air in power steering system. Bleed the system.