[6.0DieselBro]

My buddy recently bought a 99 7.3, and it has way better steering than my 04 6.0. My buddy’s trucks steering is super light, and the steering wheel recoils quickly and all the way. My steering doesn’t have any play or rough spots, but it’s stiff, and doesn’t recoil hardly at all. We both have stock steering dampeners, stock leaf spring front suspensions, and almost same size tires. Wondering how I can isolate what the problem is, or if I need to upgrade the steering. Maybe install a smaller pulley on the pump?


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[matthewd11]

Did someone overtighten the ball joints when they were replaced or are any u joints hanging up on the front axle?

 

[6.0DieselBro]

Did someone overtighten the ball joints when they were replaced or are any u joints hanging up on the front axle?

To my knowledge, the only joints that have been replaced are the front right steering knuckle ball joints, wheel bearing, and axle stub u-joint. All of which were torqued to spec, and greased. And the steering was stiff even before that service.


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[cfherrman]

On a parked truck, press the brakes hard, then turn the steering wheel. If it's worse then without the brakes press, it's your power steering pump.

 

[6.0DieselBro]

On a parked truck, press the brakes hard, then turn the steering wheel. If it's worse then without the brakes press, it's your power steering pump.

I conducted that test, and indeed the wheel becomes almost impossible to turn whilst braking. What are good options for a replacement pump? I've heard reman is a no-go.

 

[cfherrman]

Idk, I've used a few remans from federated and they worked fine. A power steering pump is around a 150k affair on these trucks it seems. Mine needs to be replaced as well.

 

[matthewd11]

Buy a pump direct from the dealer that will be your best option.

 

[6.0DieselBro]

Idk, I've used a few remans from federated and they worked fine. A power steering pump is around a 150k affair on these trucks it seems. Mine needs to be replaced as well.

Another thing I noticed when driving the other truck, is the e-brake pedal goes down very smoothly. Meanwhile the e-brake on my truck hits two stiff spots. Is there a difference in the assemblies between 99 and 04? Or is my e-brake system just messed up?


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[cfherrman]

I don't have direct knowledge and there's a few different axles but the e brake general system should be the same.

Does the e brake pedal spring back up by itself when released or do you have to help it.

My guess is you have a cable hanging up and might be a good idea to get under the truck outside the frame on the driver side and see how it looks. E brake is a drum brake inside the rotors.

 

[6.0DieselBro]

I don't have direct knowledge and there's a few different axles but the e brake general system should be the same.

Does the e brake pedal spring back up by itself when released or do you have to help it.

My guess is you have a cable hanging up and might be a good idea to get under the truck outside the frame on the driver side and see how it looks. E brake is a drum brake inside the rotors.

It pops right up most of the time when I pull the handle. I’ll be doing a full brake job in a few thousand miles. I’ll let you know if I find anything.


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[cfherrman]

Yeah there's slack in the system somewhere then and the tight spots is probably pulling the cable tight. I think the spring return is from the brakes themselves and not the pedal.

 

[6.0DieselBro]

Yeah there's slack in the system somewhere then and the tight spots is probably pulling the cable tight. I think the spring return is from the brakes themselves and not the pedal.

would a faulty steering pump also make for sloppy/hard brakes?

 

[cfherrman]

Yeah in the hydraulic brakes as it's a hydro boost system but the e brake is a mechanical drum brake.

My power steering pump is weak and makes noise when you drive, you have to press my pedal much harder than a different truck to stop. At idle the wheel is hard to turn as well.

 

[6.0DieselBro]

Yeah in the hydraulic brakes as it's a hydro boost system but the e brake is a mechanical drum brake.

My power steering pump is weak and makes noise when you drive, you have to press my pedal much harder than a different truck to stop. At idle the wheel is hard to turn as well.

My truck was parked for a good while, then I started it cold and there was a terrible hydraulic whine that went away. I've got some Lucas oil in there in the meantime to limp it along.

 

[6.0DieselBro]

So an update to the thread:
I've ordered a remanufactured hydraulic pump, and new hoses from Rock Auto. I also bought a Diesel Site pulley, and hydraulic filter from XDP. Hopefully with some driveway time, and new parts the steering will be fixed. I paid roughly $250 for all those components after taxes and all. The pump also has an $8 core refund.

 

[cfherrman]

I've used Lucas power steering with great results. I've tossed it in every work truck I used except my own, I'd jack up the front tires drain the power steering, add in one Lucas and top up with mercon so or whatever the book said, turn the wheels left and right a bunch and carry on.