My recently acquired 93 w250 has no power steering. I pulled the pump off, and the gears between the vacuum pump and the ps pump are fine. Is it safe to assume that the pump is just shot, or is there a chance that it it something to do with the steering box? Thanks.

 

In 40,000 miles I'm on my second steering box and third pump.

Is the pump properly filled?
Did you bleed the system WITH THE ENGINE OFF after setting overnight by jacking up the front end and turn the steering wheel to the right, check the fluid, then turn to the left, check the fluid & repeating the process until the fluid stays topped off?
With the engine cold, does the power steering fluid heat up immediately while trying to turn the wheels? Does the steering box show any indications of leaking? If yes, suspect the steering box.

 

the pump was leaking. I didn't try bleeding it like that. When I changed the pump on my ford, I just put it on, filled it up, turned the wheels back and forth a couple times, and topped it off and it was good. I ordered a new pump, so hopefully that'll fix it.

 

[QUOTE=Trebor;2948191]In 40,000 miles I'm on my second steering box and third pump.


What were the symptoms when your steering boxes failed?

 

Update: I put the new pump on and bled it the best I could. When I turned the wheel to the left, the fluid level went down (expected), and when I turned it to the right, the fluid leven went up, and then gradually went back down without moving the wheel. Is that normal? Should the fluid level stay constant as long as the wheel doesn't move? Thanks for the help.

 

[QUOTE=dmill;2948312]The first one leaked at the steering input seal. The second one would only have power assist in one direction. First it had power to the feft only and then it switched to power only on the right direction.

When you disconnect the high pressure side you let air into the system. It depends on how much air got in and how the truck is setting as to what it takes to get the air bubble out.