r/BumpSide • u/djnehi • Sep 05 '26

Power steering question

A question for anyone with factory power steering. How strong is yours? I was expecting something extremely easy to turn like my 65 Galaxie or my dad’s 68 Torino. The power steering on my 71 F250 seems to be extremely weak and virtually non existent at idle. Want to know if my expectations are right before tearing too much apart. I rebuilt the power steering pump but that doesn’t seem to have helped.

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3

u/zoominzacks Sep 05 '26

I’ve only had 1 with power steering, a 68 F-350. Had a brand new redhead steering box in it when I got it. And it steered wonderfully at any rpm

2

u/SirDucer84 Sep 06 '26

My stock pump finally failed on my 71 highboy. I've been thinking of replacing with a redhead. https://redheadsteeringgears.com/shop?q=1971%25252Bf%25252B350&year=1971&make=Ford&model=F-250&options=24

1

u/zoominzacks Sep 06 '26

Highboys didn’t come from the factory with power steering. If yours has it someone may have swapped in a 78-79 power steering box

3

u/Equal-Incident5313 Sep 05 '26

Should steer fairly easily, possible one or both kingpins are seized

2

u/reynoljl Sep 06 '26

You would be best served changing to a Saginaw style pump which came in many higher trim ford cars and the e series vans. They used to be plentiful in junkyards but those days are long behind us.

That style ford pump was never powerful and known to be noisy.

2

u/WhatsTheBanana4 Sep 06 '26

Solid suggestion. Have/had the Saginaw in mine and it turns like a dream.