The day before yesterday, I noticed a noise. After opening the hood when I got home last night, it sounds like the power steering pump is starting to go. That sort of quiet whining sound and a bit of push-back when you hold the steering wheel far one way or the other. Anyway, how difficult is replacing the power steering pump on my 88 F150 5.0 4wd? 1 hour job? 4 hours? All day? Just curious.

 

1.4 Hrs. is industry standard.

 

You only need one special tool, a power steering pump pulley remover/installer.

 

Named "José".

 

Dup

 

Its been said that holding the steering wheel all the way left or right for more then a few seconds can cause severe damage quickly to the power steering components. Can anyone confirm this?

 

It certainly ain't thrilled about it!

 

Holding the wheel at the stops will quickly overheat the fluid. The other problems are caused by the hot fluid.

 

Also causes cavitation which distributes air bubbles into the system which are a PITA to remove.

 

I didnt communicate very well...I didnt literally mean all the way left or right. But it's obvious that the power steering pump was struggling when the wheel was turned.