Disconnecting power steering?

[69rangerman]

My PS pump is really irritating with the noise, and leaks. I don't have money to put into it right now. Question is: If I disconnect is it just a matter of removing the belt, pump, and lines? Tell me what I'm missing (I always miss something).


Thanks

[fordman]

you could just take off the belt and leave the rest alone. you could also try draining the entire system and refilling it with fresh fluid that could fix the noise problem.

[69rangerman]

Thanks. Unlike most of the other posts the noise mine makes is a constant ticking noise instead of a whine especially noticeable at idle or when turning slow and hard. It stops when I remove the belt so I know it's not a lifter, also I can't hear when accelerating although that's probably just a function of wind noise, and straight pipes.

If I decide to remove the pump, cooler, and hoses and go manual all the way will I have to change boxes, or cap off fittings?

Thanks

[cjs_72f250]

The former owner of my truck probably had a problem with the pump like you have because he ripped it out and threw way the lines, the pump, bracket, etc.

I've still got the Saginaw box, but the truck is a pain in the a-- to drive. I've been told that it's a bigger pain to drive because since it was never meant to be manual steering, the previous owner making it "manual" steering makes it tougher to drive. Personally, I am absolutely fed up with this make-shift manual steering and as soon as I get my headers on my engine, I'm putting a pump and lines on that I got from a junkyard. No more manual steering for me.

But I completely understand not having the money to deal with the problem right now. just my

[fordman]

i have power steering on mine and i took the pump off to put a kit in it. it is a pia to drive with the pump off. but i drove it like that for several years. i left the lines on the gear and just drove it. mine is a bendix box.

[68F250]

Here's some steering gear specs. for comparison:

Ford power steering gear
17:1 ratio
4 turns lock-to-lock

Bendix power steering gear
17.5:1 ratio
3.88 turns lock-to-lock

Manual steering gear
24:1 ratio
6 turns lock-to-lock

[69rangerman]

See...all I needed was a good scare. The power steering stays. Next question: If you're looking at the pump there is a mashed in spot at 10 oclock, could this be causing the tick? Is there a bearing or anything that can be tightened/loosened? Thanks again guys.

[fordman]

how bad is it mashed? it could cause it if its mashed in enough. you can remove the can from those and bend the mashed area back out.

[Leadfoot]

I personally drove around with a micky mouse power steering box with no pump for 3 months while tracking down brackets. I wouldn't recommend it unless your rag joint is in top shape. also you can mess the collum up trust me they do not like the forces put on them, the bottom bearing will not like it. and nor will your arms.

[69rangerman]

It looks like somebody got a good lick with a wood baseball bat. I can see the bolt that hold the pump to the swivel bracket but they look like they can't come out unless the pulley is removed. Probably better just to get a replacement from NPD when fortunes change huh?

Thanks again. I wanted to feel better about the pump so I took off the pump engine bracket and the alt. brackets and painted them rustoleum hammered finish-that stuffs cool for small parts and brackets. I'll post pics sometime.