The ultimate power steering set up?

[stewwalker]

After having my truck in and out of ford service for power steering pump and rack failures, I am trying to come up with the "ultimate" solution to the Raptor's so so power steering system. I have been poking around and have come up with couple of ideas that I would like feedback on. WARNING, I am no power steering / hydraulic expert! The 3 issues I have had and have seen on other trucks is, 1 - power steering aeration/ foaming, 2 - power steering fluid over heating, and 3 - dirty power steering fluid after an unusually short amount of time. These issues have caused my truck to eat up 3 PS pumps and 2 steering racks.

The setup I'm researching and considering would include a larger cooler ,possibly with a fan, and an inline filter. I have some concerns about pressure drop, and reducing the flow rate to the reservoir and pump, but I'm not sure if that should be a problem. So far I have come up with the following component options.

Derail 24" cooler - http://derale.com/products/fluid-co...opper-aluminum-transmission-cooler-kit-detail

CBR 15" cooler - CBR Universal Cooler No Fans - Chassis Unlimited

Magnefine PS filter - Magnefine Performance Edition Transmission Power Steering Filter

Howe Recevoir with filter - https://www.kartek.com/parts/power-steering-reservoir-w-filter-reservoir-w-filter.html

If you've been down this road before or have any power steering knowledge, your input is welcome.

Thanks,
SW

 

[downforce137]

I read somewhere that the pump develops an internal crack in the housing which not only puts debris in the system but causes an internal pressure leak


Mine blew fluid all over when it went, been good on a motorcraft pump for about a year and a half

 

[stewwalker]

I read somewhere that the pump develops an internal crack in the housing which not only puts debris in the system but causes an internal pressure leak


Mine blew fluid all over when it went, been good on a motorcraft pump for about a year and a half

I never had the pump blow fluid, but the fluid was extremely dirty before every pump change. I know some have tried the Howe pump kit, but I have heard mixed reviews. Many go back to the Motorcraft pump.

 

[Deleted member 12951]

Troy @Hole Shot has been down this road lots of times. I think he re-designed his approach and happy with the outcome.

 

[stewwalker]

Troy @Hole Shot has been down this road lots of times. I think he re-designed his approach and happy with the outcome.

I like it. No need for an extra trans cooler yet...

---------- Post added at 07:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:49 PM ----------

@hole shot , what did you do with the brass "flow reducer" thing that is included in the OEM hose to the OEM reservoir? I cut mine out once, and the steering felt dangerously light.

 

[Hole Shot]

I threw it in the trash!!!! I also removed the stock cooler from the ps system. I believe these two things are the main causes of multiple ps pump failures.

---------- Post added at 09:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:36 PM ----------

Also it always better to have a little extra trans cooling than not have it. Especially for the price of this unit.

 

[SZDZMTR]

My PS started to make a slight wining noise when tuning the wheel. So I ended up getting an RPG PS reservoir, Derail PS cooler (can install any way you want, upside down sideways, whatever) and Alluminum Magnefine PS filter (brand new product good for 100k miles according the manufacturing company). NO issues, no noises, etc ... since 66k miles, currently at 74300. Hope this helps.

 

[stewwalker]

I threw it in the trash!!!! I also removed the stock cooler from the ps system. I believe these two things are the main causes of multiple ps pump failures.

---------- Post added at 09:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:36 PM ----------

Also it always better to have a little extra trans cooling than not have it. Especially for the price of this unit.

Not arguing, but what makes you think those 2 components cause issues? I can see the flow reducer being an issue, but why the factory cooler?

 

[ROCKETW19]

My PS started to make a slight wining noise when tuning the wheel. So I ended up getting an RPG PS reservoir, Derail PS cooler (can install any way you want, upside down sideways, whatever) and Alluminum Magnefine PS filter (brand new product good for 100k miles according the manufacturing company). NO issues, no noises, etc ... since 66k miles, currently at 74300. Hope this helps.

did your noise sound like you had gear drive or something ?

 

[SZDZMTR]

did your noise sound like you had gear drive or something ?

There were two symptoms: while turning the steering wheel I started hearing distinct wining (the pump) and secondly once in a while the steering would get stiff making it harder to turn the wheel when at stand still.