I have an 03 SD with 7.3, 6.5" lift 37" Mickey FC/II tires. Some days the truck turns easily (5mph and less), one palm on the wheel and other days I have to revert back to two hands on the wheel pulling as hard as I can to turn the wheel. It has a new Ford box, and pump but the problem was the same before the new parts. I broke the sector shaft on the box after kindly removing the back half of a honda accord that stoped in the middle of the road (the Hansen Bumper saved my truck) Anyone having the same problem, any suggestions?

My stock SD with 285's is hard to turn, and you're complaning about 37's??

SD's boxes have always been a bit weak.

Upgrade?

Since the hard steering is random it seems like something is wrong with the system and that its not just a large tire issue. I can accept the steering being heavy but practically getting stuck in a parking spot because you cannot turn the wheel really sucks.

We have a similar problem with our 03. If you rev it up it isn't bad. I often think the hydraboost is not up to the task. We are planning at some point to put on the ORU ram assist steering kit.

Of course this needs to wait for the new motor to be installed:mad3:

Btw our 03 runs 37" BFG AT's on an RE 6.5" lift.

We have a similar problem with our 03. If you rev it up it isn't bad. I often think the hydraboost is not up to the task.

My first thought was if it was lagging at low rpm and an issue of the pump not keeping up....with your experiences that sounds likely.

my o2 psd cc with 37 did the same thing. parking lots at low rpm were almoast impossible.

2 solutions:

upgrade to a ram assist from Howe or others.

drive in 1st gear and raise the rpm in parking lots. ( worked for me )

note. my 06 seems to be much better. perhaps there are better parts that can be swaped. but I would still go with a aftermarket ram assist. mainly because I know it would work great where as upgrading to newer oem stuff will still only give marginal performance and would probally still be pretty expensive.

Although the ram assist would certainly take care of it, I'm wondering if a simple pulley change to bring the pump speed up at lower rpm's is an option as well.

I have an 04 superduty on 38x14.5 Nitto Mud Grapplers and it is damn near impossible to turn it while staying still. As soon as I start to move it is ok, but a little stiff until the RPM's come up a little. Sounds like we have the same problem.

How bout a smaller pulley to speed it up a bit for low speeds?

If you guys notice it is worse if you have your foot on the brake. There are upgraded PS pumps out there. They are under $500.

Mine had 37"s and as long as i had my foot off the brake it wasn't as bad. Even try giving it a little throttle while on the brake, that works too.

How bout a smaller pulley to speed it up a bit for low speeds?

Sheer genius! I can't believe nobody else thought of that. Oh wait, look a couple posts before yours. :flipoff2:

Sheer genius! I can't believe nobody else thought of that. Oh wait, look a couple posts before yours. :flipoff2:

Hahaha :shaking:

There are upgraded PS pumps out there. They are under $500.


Ditto. I've liked my stuff from www.PSCmotorsports.com , and I think they sponsor Pirate4x4 too. Never tried their pumps, But I'm sure they are top quality...

Also, its not hard or uneconomical (IMO) or difficult to add hydro-assist to a truck w/ large tires that sees pavement.

Also, its not hard or uneconomical (IMO) or difficult to add hydro-assist to a truck w/ large tires that sees pavement.

This is both 100% true and the way to go IF the person knows basic fabrication. I think sometimes we forget some folks don't know how to weld :)

Sheer genius! I can't believe nobody else thought of that. Oh wait, look a couple posts before yours. :flipoff2: Oh I see that now, thats what I did on my truck and it helped. I usually skim the posts but I missed yours.. It was a great idea though.. :D

This is both 100% true and the way to go IF the person knows basic fabrication. I think sometimes we forget some folks don't know how to weld :)

Welding, basic fabrication, I got that part down then some. I guess time to start looking at ram assist. Like I said, I have a new steering box from after my accident. Who ports them? Who sells a good ram? I dont really need a kit since I have access to hoses and fittings. Thanks

Most people port the boxes themselves, or West Texas Offroad can do it for you, and I think PSC does as well. I did it at my own pace (super-slow) and had it ported in 2 or 3 days.
AGR makes good cylinders, I bought my stuff from PSC and they are great too.
I'll edit this in a minute for a write up on hydro assist from FSB...

Edit to do it yourself:
http://www.fullsizebronco.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10413&highlight=hydro+assist

ORU has a nice kit. Or you can call Lee Mfg direct as they make it for ORU. In my experience Lee Mfg. builds the best quality steering parts.

ORU Steering (http://www.offroadunlimited.com/ProductCart/PC/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=1585)

http://www.leepowersteering.com/ Worst website ever, best steering ever.

Welding, basic fabrication, I got that part down then some. I guess time to start looking at ram assist. Like I said, I have a new steering box from after my accident. Who ports them?

If you have basic fabrication down then porting the box yourself should be a breeze. Hey, if I can throw hydro-assist together from scratch a monkey can do it :D

My 02 PSD (leveling kit and 285s) has this issue when on the brake or low RPM/cold motor=cold/thick PS oil.. I chaulk it up to the PS pump not being able to handle pressure required to boost the brakes and turn the box. I am going to try and get a new pump while under extended warranty cuase it has obviously been taxed.

Where can I get a smaller pulley? That sounds like a great idea for those of us not running huge tires and lift. Any real downside?

My 02 PSD (leveling kit and 285s) has this issue when on the brake or low RPM/cold motor=cold/thick PS oil.. I chaulk it up to the PS pump not being able to handle pressure required to boost the brakes and turn the box. I am going to try and get a new pump while under extended warranty cuase it has obviously been taxed.

Where can I get a smaller pulley? That sounds like a great idea for those of us not running huge tires and lift. Any real downside?

I would get one if you can, even if yours is in good condition.

Most auto parts stores should carry the right one for you, you just need to know the input shaft diameter and belt width so that they swap correctly. You don't want to go too small though... you could possibly cook the pump. The only downside is risking cooking the motor from too many RPM's, but thats not likely on a diesel, as the RPM's stay low.

As for what diameter you need, I have no idea...

I called Lee Power steering as recommended by Beat95yj, they can set me up with all the stuff needed. The interesting part is that they can actually calibrate the pump and increase the volume and pressure for the application. They said this may help with the stock components but would definatly benefit if I added the assist ram since the ram is now drawing more fluid away from the steering box. In addition to that they said that they get a ton of Ford boxes in that have cracks in the sector shaft and need to be replaced. After hearing that having the ram seems like the way to go since it would not only help in low speed steering but take a lot of the load off of the steering box and frame.

I like a company that magnafluxes the oem parts don't you?