Power steering Pump/rack???

[97explorersport]

I have recently noticed that the steering wheel has gotten somewhat harder to turn. I was wondering if anyone has had simular problems and if it could be the pump. My Explorer is a 1997 with 112G on the speedo. Is it worth just changing out the pump?? What type of job is it. The truck is a 4.0 OHC. Thanks in advance

[punmaster7]

I'm no expert, but I do know that I'd rather change a pump rather than a rack. If you are constantly adding fluid, check for leaks around the pump and the hoses and replace if necessary. If you don't find leaks there, most likely, your missing fluid is collecting in the dust boots on the rack. You can verify this if you like by carefully prying up the boot on the rack or tie-rod end enough to allow fluid to drain. If that's too invasive for you, you can have someone turn the steering wheel fully left to right repeatedly while you listen for fluid shifting back and forth through the air breather tube between the dust boots. If you still find no fluid, or you aren't losing any, you still have a mystery. I would recommend you get a used pump and try replacing that first. On the 4.0 SOHC, it's up on the top left and relatively easy to get to. I wouldn't recommend you fool with a used rack unless you already have one, and you may want to price a pump before buying one, used or new (reconditioned). If you still haven't resolved the problem, the rack is the last thing that can be bad. That's a job and a half until you get the right combination of turns and pulls to get it out of the frame. Swearing helps, but doesn't do anything to get the rack out!

Hope this helps.
Curt.

[97explorersport]

Took it to another place for a Frt End alignment........problem fixed !!!!!!!!