Rich's F-150

Raptors kept the hydraulic power steering after the other f-150s went to electric so there are some upgrades available.  Howe sells a performance pump and RPG (raptor performance group) sells a larger reservoir to prevent aeration.  In reading it looks like raptors had an issue with the power steering fluid getting hot and aerating which would lead to pump failure.

In your case a similar issue with hot fluid leading to pump failure could have caused issues with some of the valving and internal seals in the rack causing it to fail.  The other possibility is that you are simply seeing the limits of a rack and pinion steering.  Your truck has only been lifted for a little less than a year so if you have another similar failure it might be time to consider a solid axle swap.

kris_olof said  Your truck has only been lifted for a little less than a year so if you have another similar failure it might be time to consider a solid axle swap.  

Now that's what I'm talking about forget smooth ride ifs it's all about articulation

kris_olof said Raptors kept the hydraulic power steering after the other f-150s went to electric so there are some upgrades available.  Howe sells a performance pump and RPG (raptor performance group) sells a larger reservoir to prevent aeration.  In reading it looks like raptors had an issue with the power steering fluid getting hot and aerating which would lead to pump failure.   In your case a similar issue with hot fluid leading to pump failure could have caused issues with some of the valving and internal seals in the rack causing it to fail.  The other possibility is that you are simply seeing the limits of a rack and pinion steering.  Your truck has only been lifted for a little less than a year so if you have another similar failure it might be time to consider a solid axle swap.  

The Raptors have a different engine than I do. I only have the 4.6 liter. The pump is different, but I'm not sure what is different.

I believe my pump started to fail long before the Expedition. I had noticed the fluid had gotten brown and burnt, but I never got around to flushing the system and adding new fluid. I'm guessing the metal and debris from the pump has clogged the passages in the control valve in the rack.

Yes the fluid does get hot. My truck has a power steering cooler that is integral to the A/C condenser.

Maybe the reservoir upgrade would still work.  Look at the video below. Does the reservoir appear the same?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8L6BeLRKk40

My truck steering is finally fixed! A rebuilt rack and pinion fixed the problem.

richfroh said My truck steering is finally fixed! A rebuilt rack and pinion fixed the problem.  

Great, glad to it was an easy fix &  no complication.

I wouldn't call it easy. At least it was not really difficult, but it was a little pricy. I'd rather spend that $1,000 on fun or functional upgrades not repairs. The most complicated part was getting parts!

Glad to see you got it fixed

I think you could have bought a built, used TJ by the time you add up the cost of all the repairs to your F150. Do I hear Craigslist calling? 💡

My truck has been out of commission since last Friday and is dead with no known repair date. I started by replacing a broken left exhaust manifold stud on the head. This involved removing the transmission crossmember, transmission isolation mount, exhaust y-pipe, left engine mount and the air filter box with duct. That allowed access to remove the manifold, and the broken stud was extracted fairly easily. Since the engine mount was covered in surface rust (Ford must have left these bare steel), I beadblasted and painted it before reinstalling it. I had previously put a severe dent in the exhaust crossover pipe while wheeling so I decided to fix it while the pipe was out. I cut the pipe next to the dent and used a pipe expander to straighten the dent. Then I welded the pipe back together. It fits great now. The rubber transmission isolator was sheared so now was the time to replace it while it was out.

Finally, I get to the reason the truck is dead. I recently discovered a intermittent transmission leak. While the exhaust was out, I got a good look and determined the leak was coming from the electrical bulkhead connector in the transmission case. There is a TSB on this problem. The fix is to drop the transmission pan, release the locking tab for the connector sleeve, pull it out from the outside and replace the o-rings and seal (Ford changed the material). When it went back together, one of the electrical pins in the transmission side of the connector broke off. This connector is part of the transmission control module (TCM) mounted inside the transmission. No problem, I'll just order a new one. Problem...there are none in stock...anywhere. Ford has it on National back order with no estimated date. Every transmission shop and transmission supply store I called said they can't get one. A new TCM lists for $160 if you could find one. I ended up buying a refurbished TCM from E-Bay. It arrived today and is the wrong part. My TCM was only made from 2010 to 2011. In 2012 they moved the TCM out of the transmission, so the part looks almost the same but does not have the TCM on it. They sent the one without the TCM on it. I'm out of luck and out of a truck until I can find a TCM. The truck won't even start as it throws 9 computer codes and prevents it from starting.

Well that's quite the lame - did you try the scrap yards on sunrise?

That sounds like a heck of a lot of work Rich. How frustrating to not be able to get the part you need after so much work.

what a headache.  sorry rich

scoped said Well that's quite the lame - did you try the scrap yards on sunrise?  

The salvage yards will only sell the entire transmission at $2,500.

What about getting the wrecking yard tranny n put it in. Then install the part on your tranny when it comes in?  Then you can sell your repaired tranny for 2500 or put it back in and re sell the wrecking one?

richfroh said 

My truck has been out of commission since last Friday and is dead with no known repair date. I started by replacing a broken left exhaust manifold stud on the head. This involved removing the transmission crossmember, transmission isolation mount, exhaust y-pipe, left engine mount and the air filter box with duct. That allowed access to remove the manifold, and the broken stud was extracted fairly easily. Since the engine mount was covered in surface rust (Ford must have left these bare steel), I beadblasted and painted it before reinstalling it. I had previously put a severe dent in the exhaust crossover pipe while wheeling so I decided to fix it while the pipe was out. I cut the pipe next to the dent and used a pipe expander to straighten the dent. Then I welded the pipe back together. It fits great now. The rubber transmission isolator was sheared so now was the time to replace it while it was out.

Finally, I get to the reason the truck is dead. I recently discovered a intermittent transmission leak. While the exhaust was out, I got a good look and determined the leak was coming from the electrical bulkhead connector in the transmission case. There is a TSB on this problem. The fix is to drop the transmission pan, release the locking tab for the connector sleeve, pull it out from the outside and replace the o-rings and seal (Ford changed the material). When it went back together, one of the electrical pins in the transmission side of the connector broke off. This connector is part of the transmission control module (TCM) mounted inside the transmission. No problem, I'll just order a new one. Problem...there are none in stock...anywhere. Ford has it on National back order with no estimated date. Every transmission shop and transmission supply store I called said they can't get one. A new TCM lists for $160 if you could find one. I ended up buying a refurbished TCM from E-Bay. It arrived today and is the wrong part. My TCM was only made from 2010 to 2011. In 2012 they moved the TCM out of the transmission, so the part looks almost the same but does not have the TCM on it. They sent the one without the TCM on it. I'm out of luck and out of a truck until I can find a TCM. The truck won't even start as it throws 9 computer codes and prevents it from starting.

Damn dude... And I thought I was having issues with my cold start issues haha... If it's just one of the pins inside the connector... I might be able to rebuild it for you. Can you bring it to the next meeting on Thursday?

I should have the correct remanufactured unit coming this week.

Tyler- I thought about replacing the pin myself, but I can't figure out how to separate the housing shell.

richfroh said I should have the correct remanufactured unit coming this week.  Tyler- I thought about replacing the pin myself, but I can't figure out how to separate the housing shell.  

You need a bigger hammer 😉

If the part doesn't work, a mechanic at my work recommended a shop that is good at manufacturing what you may need.  Mobile Transmissions in Folsom.

Transmission is back together and it is not throwing codes regarding no communication with the transmission, so that is good. The truck starts now. However, it runs rough, throttle does not function and is throwing a code for incompatible software. This is probably because I re-tuned the computers and the new trans TCM does not have the matching software. I hooked up my tool to reprogram the computers and it won't allow it. It shows an error code saying the ECU has insufficient voltage and to charge the battery and try again. The battery has a full charge and voltage is at 14 volts with engine running. I guess it is back into research mode to figure this out.

To make matters worse, my motorcycle got a flat tire on the way home from work today, so now both of my vehicles are out of commission. I will be commandeering Terri's car tomorrow to get to work and the meeting.

Dang Rich your just not having any luck are you

My motorcycle tire is fixed and the truck is fixed !!!!!!!!!!!!! 👏🕺🎉🍻

After the TCM was replaced, I found that there was a problem with the fuse feeding power to the ECU. Replaced the fuse and everything is as good as new! I guess I don't need to put a lift on the wife's Subaru after all.

Glad to see you finally turned the corner into the good luck alley🎉

Yippie!👏