'11 power steering ?

[rschap1]

Well, I have had my '11 for 6-7 months now.
A few times when cold starting I have noticed the PS hard at idle when setting.
Then...
last night I put the truck DEEP in the ditch.
I live on a lake and a section of the road is MUCK deep and filled with cat tails.
On my way home from putting deposit on a "winter beater MKX" slid off the road into the lake.
Was going to take pics since I probably won't ever be getting it so covered in $hi+ and dirty on purpose again.
It did leave one heck of a hole.
Took a tractor lifting the @$$ end up and pulling to get back on the road.
Most of the morning at the car wash and all cleaned up.
Still stinks like burning swamp muck, but better than last night.
BUT...
the steering is a LOT worse after giving the poor truck the berries getting out last night.
Overnight was near zero and I thought maybe just defrosting would help.
But now above freezing and still nearly no power assist at an idle and stand still.
A few rpms or rolling a couple miles an hour helps quite a bit.
Hear more moaning and groaning all the time from the power steering pump.
Knew I should not have been driving the Raptor with the MT tires in any snow.
Knew something wasn't going to be good even if it was just the chloride and salt.
Just wondering if there is anything besides rack replacement to look at...?
Fluid full and belt seems OK.
Wondered if any ideas or something to look at.
Appreciate it !!!
Drive safe. Winter $uck$

 

[Gryphon313]

It sounds like the power steering pump is shot.

 

[rschap1]

Was thinking it would probably end up being one or the other, rack or pump.
Wondered if there was a valve, filter, or anything else in between that was a common issue.
Brought the winter ride home tonight, so maybe I will get a chance to work on a few of the bugs the Raptor has if temperatures don't get too chilly.
Appreciate the tip.

 

[Dane]

Sounds like the pump to me. I've gone through two of them in my 2012. I'm going to assume the fluid is properly filled?

 

[rschap1]

I'll have to look closer at the pump then.
I have never had any go bad, but...could be.
Fluid is good.
Checked and double checked that.
Was hoping for something easy like that, but reservoir right where it should be.
Thanks again

 

[rschap1]

Been doing my internet research and have a couple things to look at.
I see filters listed, but guessing those are add ons, not stock and if nothing there, probably not my issue.
But going to take a look and see if anything added in the line set.
Don't recall ever seeing anything like that, but never made a point to look.
Also found quite a few cases of, videos showing, and replacing the steering shaft.
Saw a lot of bound up, rusty, hard to turn u-joints.
Not sure if that might be the case either, but will look at that once sun comes up and hopefully gets a little warmer.
Did search pumps too. Doesn't look that bad if I have to replace.
Been told Mercon LV is the fluid to use.
Thanks once more

 

[Sozzy12]

I replied to you on another forum.... Search this forum for upgrade ideas. If/ when mine goes, I plan to upgrade.

 

[rschap1]

Thanks for both replies stephen.osbourne1
Went out to the truck yesterday, started in the garage and all was fine.
10-12 trips lock to lock got it to make some noise and wheel got harder to turn at the end.
It was night and day different from the day before.
With it getting put away for winter, I will have to figure some out.
Did use some aero-kroil on the steering shaft u-joints.
And got underneath to see how much access there was.
Looks like the skid plate is coming off for sure.
Then I got as far as wondering about the oil filter mount/cooler below pump.
Right now, on to the "winter beater".
2009 MKX and it showed a mis-fire on my 2nd day of owning it.
At least front of the motor.
Found a broken coil connector, 3 different coils and 3 different plugs in the front side.
Going to try and get that going and order 6 new each.
Time to start seeing what I gotta do to get at the rears.
Probably post at the other site with question of how terrible is this going to be
Never know, just like here, may be a tip or trick that save me from skinning all my knuckles and back ache from bending too much.
Hoping weather stays nice until I get a chance.
Always something.

 

[rschap1]

Oh yeh, HAPPY THANKSGIVING

 

[rschap1]

Emptied out the fluid yesterday.
Used son's cordless ratchet to spin the pump and jacked up the front end to take weight off.
I did video after and took some pics of what came out.
I will just say that the old fluid stunk, looked burnt, and had a lot of debris in it.
Didn't really help.
Actually sounded much worse at first start up.
A few cranks back and forth even with weight off, sounded pitiful.
Drove it a little after and pretty stiff w/o any rpms above idle.
Going to look at getting and getting ready for new pump soon.
Again, appreciate the sharing of knowledge and help here THANKS