I noticed what sounded like a vacuum hose leak under the dash on the driver's side. The sound would decrease dramatically if the steering wheel was turned slightly to one side or the other, or when brakes were applied. I took it to the dealer and they said a new hydro-assist pump needed to be ordered but the truck was "fine" to drive until the following Monday....when the new pump was expected to be delivered.
The following day I was headed south of town on the interstate, cruise set at 80mph with a merge coming up due to construction. A tractor-trailer ahead of me and one behind with a concrete barrier to the left and a bridge railing to the right, coming up. I tapped the brake to disengage the cruise only to have my foot go to the floor with a total loss of both braking and power steering. Fine to drive huh? ***!!?? I was able to keep the truck inside the lane and got it slowed enough with the parking brake and downshifting to 3rd to keep from hitting the semi in front of me before I was blessed with an exit off the interstate a few hundred yards ahead.
I got out of the truck, slipped off the running board coated with a pink, tranny-looking fluid and noticed the trucks driver's side covered with it as well as a puddle forming under the truck.
Long story short.... The dealer said the liner to the high pressure line feeding the hydro-assist pump came apart and threw a few pieces into the pump, killing it, my brakes and power steering.
NOT COOL FORD!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm just happy I was the one driving and not the wife and that I was alone without the kids. What a mess that could have been!
