Ford Repair: Power steering lines, drive belt tensioner, 1998 ford windstar


Question
Hello Tony,
I've come across one of those jobs that is a pain. It's a 1998 Ford Windstar 3.8L and I believe the power steering pressure line is leaking. It starts at the top fitting on the pump and goes back under and behind the engine to the rack. The problem area is the fitting at the rack. I took a quick look and there is barely clearance to see the fitting, much less get a wrench on there to turn it.Do you have any ideas on how to get that out? Thanks.

Answer
Hello Mike, This is per the service manual. Diffently not an easy task. Hope this helps. Thanks Tony                                                        Disconnect the battery ground cable (14301).

WARNING: THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT NECESSARY FOR SYSTEM DEPLOYMENT IS POWERED DIRECTLY FROM THE BATTERY (10653) . TO AVOID ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY, THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MUST BE DISCONNECTED PRIOR TO SERVICING OR INSTALLING NEW SYSTEM COMPONENTS.

Disconnect the positive battery cable and wait one minute for the backup power supply energy to be depleted.

Remove the power steering pressure hose fitting at the power steering pump (3A674) using a 5/8-inch flare nut wrench.

Remove the power steering return hose (3A713) at the power steering pump.

Loosen the four water pump pulley bolts.

Remove the drive belt. For additional information, refer to Section 03-05.

Remove the four water pump pulley bolts and the water pump pulley.

Remove the drive belt tensioner. For additional information, refer to Section 03-05.

Loosen the power steering hose retaining bracket screw mounted to the A/C compressor, and turn the retainer to allow the hoses freedom of movement.

Cut the tie strap retaining the heat shield to the power steering hose.

Cut the tie strap securing the power steering line to the power rack and pinion steering gear transfer tube.

Remove the power steering pressure hose fitting (gold) at the power rack and pinion steering gear, using an 18-mm open end wrench.

Remove the power steering return hose fitting (silver) at the power rack and pinion steering gear, using an 18-mm open end wrench.

Position the vehicle on a hoist. For additional information, refer to Section 00-02.

Raise the vehicle.

Remove the power steering return hose fittings at the power steering fluid cooler (3D746) .

Remove the two screws retaining the power steering fluid cooler to the transmission oil cooler.

Remove the power steering hose retaining clip located on the radiator support near the power steering fluid cooler .

Remove the power steering hose retaining clip screw located near the crankshaft dampener to free the hoses.

Remove the power steering return hoses from below.

Lower the vehicle.

Remove the power steering pressure hose (3A719) from above.

Unclip the power steering pressure hose from the return hose.

Installation

Clip the power steering pressure hose to the return hose.

Position the power steering pressure hose from above.

Position the power steering return hoses from below.

Install the power steering hose retaining clip to the radiator support located on the power steering fluid cooler .

Position the power steering fluid cooler and install one screw retaining the power steering fluid cooler to the transmission oil cooler.

Secure the power steering pressure hose fitting (gold) at the power rack and pinion steering gear and tighten to 34-46 Nm (25-33 lb-ft).

Secure the power steering return hose fitting (silver) at the power rack and pinion steering gear and tighten to 34-46 Nm (25-33 lb-ft).

NOTE: Make sure the protective sleeve is attached to the power steering pressure hose .



Secure the power steering pressure hose and the power steering return hose to the power rack and pinion steering gear transfer tubes with a nylon tie strap.

Correctly position the heat shield around the power rack and pinion steering gear and the power steering pressure and return hoses and secure with a nylon tie strap to the power steering pressure hose .

Raise the vehicle.

Connect the power steering return hose clamps at the power steering fluid cooler .

Install the power steering hose retaining clip screw near the crankshaft damper.

Lower the vehicle.

Install the power steering hoses in the power steering hose retaining bracket screw, mounted to the A/C compressor, and tighten the screw to retain the hoses.

Install the belt tensioner. For additional information, refer to Section 03-05.

Install the water pump pulley and the four bolts. Do not tighten the pulley bolts at this time.

Install the drive belt. For additional information, refer to Section 03-05.

Tighten the water pump pulley bolts to 20-30 Nm (15-22 lb-ft).

Connect the power steering hoses at the power steering pump and tighten the fittings to 14-20 Nm (10-14 lb-ft).

Fill the power steering system. For additional information, refer to Section 11-00.

Connect the battery ground cable. Connect the battery positive cable.

Prove out the air bag system. For additional information, refer to Section 01-20B.



Power Steering Hose Installation—3.8L Engine