How does the power steering return line attach to the steering gear?
10-02-2017, 10:12 AM
#31
The two lines to the left are part of the rack itself (if you were to buy a new one). The other two are the hi pressure and low pressure supply and return lines. This thread is the best (and the only one I've found) that covers this problem with pretty good detail. Many people have had a lot of trouble getting one of the lines out of the rack. There are three or four different ways described in this post that people have used to get the line out. I did finally go back and replace my other line and I used a combination of a pair of small vice grips and a small forked pry bar trim tool, to finally get mine out (the key is to get some pretty good force pulling straight out). There may be parts of this thread that are a bit confusing but if you re-read it a few times and keep looking at your rack you will understand the routing of the lines and how to get them off. When I worked on mine the second time the only thing I removed was the oil filter and the plastic drip tray to get more room, but removing the fan/shroud, moving the radiator hose and the drivers tire will all give you more room to work.
And yes your are right the engine compartment area is a rust bucket, one of the worst, if not the worst I have ever seen as it is so open to the elements from below. Dont get me wrong I love my truck but I only have 69k miles on it and the rust is forcing me to sell it long before I would have. I am tired of dealing with rust related problems already. I will probably get another F150 as soon as this one sells but I will take better steps this time to protect it from the rust.
And yes your are right the engine compartment area is a rust bucket, one of the worst, if not the worst I have ever seen as it is so open to the elements from below. Dont get me wrong I love my truck but I only have 69k miles on it and the rust is forcing me to sell it long before I would have. I am tired of dealing with rust related problems already. I will probably get another F150 as soon as this one sells but I will take better steps this time to protect it from the rust.
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o6S1D9e (03-07-2021)
11-13-2017, 06:19 PM
#33
Posting in this thread too for more visibility.
Unfortunately, I am doing this too. Although we now live in Texas, my truck spent the first 5-6 years of its life in the elements and salty roadways of Maryland. I bought my truck brand new in February of 2006 with 19 miles. It now has 175k miles and the only thing I've ever had to replace are spark plugs and a fuel pump.
I've known they were leaking but I wanted to wait to replace them. I just had hand surgery in mid September (severed tendons in my L thumb at work) and I'm finally getting a little bit of mobility and decided enough is enough and I'm going to get this done because I'm tired of it leaving drips everywhere. I'm usually very proactive and take care of things when they need attention, but the lack of movement in my thumb made me wait a few months.
I still played hell getting it all apart with most of the work being done from the engine bay. I expected the pump to be a real pain from the look of the bolts but it actually wasn't that bad. I didn't know exactly which line was leaking until I got into it and the low pressure return line was the culprit for me. The upper high pressure line came out with ease, the lower however broke off about an inch from the rack. So, after working on it most of the afternoon yesterday, I called it quits about 8pm last night. I started doing some research on here and some people said to tap it from above and from the driver side wheel well, which I did. And, apparently I was a little over zealous with the hammer. I gave it a couple good wacks with the hammer from above and the side and it pulled right out. However, it looks like I chipped off the recessed lip area that the piece fits into. I don't think this will be a huge issue since it has an ID o-ring and sealing surface. But I wanted to gauge y'alls thoughts too. I'm waiting on parts that will arrive mid-late week. I really don't want to replace the rack, but if I need to I will. Maybe I'll reassemble it and see if it holds. Again, I think it will but wanted to check if anyone has any experience with this happening.
Before anyone calls me a cheap ***, I'm not. I purchased all OEM Motorcraft parts because I didn't want to take a chance and have something I can get off the shelf at Autozone or O'reilly's leak. I will replace the rack if I need to. I may try to source one locally. A friend has an 05 Expedition that he's parting out, maybe the rack is the same?
https://imgur.com/r6Jenoc
https://imgur.com/n9EXVGR
https://imgur.com/rp8PeDM
Can't figure out how to embed pictures, so follow the links to see.
I will also be treating everything with Ospho.
Cliffs: Power steering lines severely corroded almost in two, removed lines, broke recessed port on rack.
Unfortunately, I am doing this too. Although we now live in Texas, my truck spent the first 5-6 years of its life in the elements and salty roadways of Maryland. I bought my truck brand new in February of 2006 with 19 miles. It now has 175k miles and the only thing I've ever had to replace are spark plugs and a fuel pump.
I've known they were leaking but I wanted to wait to replace them. I just had hand surgery in mid September (severed tendons in my L thumb at work) and I'm finally getting a little bit of mobility and decided enough is enough and I'm going to get this done because I'm tired of it leaving drips everywhere. I'm usually very proactive and take care of things when they need attention, but the lack of movement in my thumb made me wait a few months.
I still played hell getting it all apart with most of the work being done from the engine bay. I expected the pump to be a real pain from the look of the bolts but it actually wasn't that bad. I didn't know exactly which line was leaking until I got into it and the low pressure return line was the culprit for me. The upper high pressure line came out with ease, the lower however broke off about an inch from the rack. So, after working on it most of the afternoon yesterday, I called it quits about 8pm last night. I started doing some research on here and some people said to tap it from above and from the driver side wheel well, which I did. And, apparently I was a little over zealous with the hammer. I gave it a couple good wacks with the hammer from above and the side and it pulled right out. However, it looks like I chipped off the recessed lip area that the piece fits into. I don't think this will be a huge issue since it has an ID o-ring and sealing surface. But I wanted to gauge y'alls thoughts too. I'm waiting on parts that will arrive mid-late week. I really don't want to replace the rack, but if I need to I will. Maybe I'll reassemble it and see if it holds. Again, I think it will but wanted to check if anyone has any experience with this happening.
Before anyone calls me a cheap ***, I'm not. I purchased all OEM Motorcraft parts because I didn't want to take a chance and have something I can get off the shelf at Autozone or O'reilly's leak. I will replace the rack if I need to. I may try to source one locally. A friend has an 05 Expedition that he's parting out, maybe the rack is the same?
https://imgur.com/r6Jenoc
https://imgur.com/n9EXVGR
https://imgur.com/rp8PeDM
Can't figure out how to embed pictures, so follow the links to see.
I will also be treating everything with Ospho.
Cliffs: Power steering lines severely corroded almost in two, removed lines, broke recessed port on rack.
