2005 Power Steering Leak F250 6.0

[AA3NK]

Hard to believe that my '05 is out of warranty with only 23,000 miles on it but the dealer says the warranty ended in February of 2008. So, now I am at the hazard of dubious repair options everywhere.

The leak appears to be dripping from around the brake cylinder. There is substantial evidence of the amount of leakage and PS fluid is all over the place from blowby. The PS reservoir is low but has fluid moving through it.

Is there a user part that I can replace around the vacuum assist area off the Master Cylinder? If I cannot repair this myself, is the repair something that is ordinary for mechanics to work on?

I am near Gloucester, MA so anywhere I go for repair is quite a distance away, more than 20 miles to any dealer. I am concerned that the truck may not be safe to drive although it steers just fine. I could top up the PS fluid and maybe go to a repair shop in the area. Do you have any recommendations as to repair places in the Gloucester area?

How about any first hand experience with this problem? Have any of you had the same thing? What did you do to repair/replace the faulty components? Any idea about cost to repair?

I have to tell you, this is my last Ford and probably my last truck. I have had a lot of them over the years, 89, 91, 93, 97, 2000, now this 2005. What little ass I have left will never walk on a Ford lot again.

Thanks for any information, advice or recommendations,
Bob

[AA3NK]

Aha! As I suspected, there is a connection between the steering and the brakes. Check this article out--I got it from another reference here on the Dieselstop.com and am greatly appreciative for the link. (Power Steering Pump / Hydra Boost / Brakes)

Operation, Diagnosis and Repair of HYDRO-BOOST Power Assist Systems, Bill Williams, Brake & Front End, March 2005

Still not sure if I will venture into taking it apart in driveway since I have no access to parts, supplies or tools other than a real basic tool kit. But, now I know what to say to a mechanic when I find one and won't get tripped up with some new power steering pump replacement and such meanderings of diagnostic part swapping

Bob

[AA3NK]

Just to let y'all know the outcome of this problem. I drove the truck to Ernie's in Essex, MA. I told him what the problem seemed to be and left the rig overnight. He actually did what was necessary without ripping me off for all kinds of parts and foolishness.

Since the leak was on the high pressure side, he probably knew right away what was the likely problem. Anyway, what would probably have been a $700 repair job if I had taken it to Ford ended being $76 and $62 of that was for labor. I'd say it was a bargain for me and will earnestly recommend Ernie's Garage in Essex, MA to anyone needing repair work and in particular on diesel rigs.

[pennery]

Sorry to bring up an old thread here but I currently struck a Leak on my 03 F350 6.0L and I am not sure what the common problem with these are? There is ATF all over my driveway now and I ran it almost dry once already... It just started leaking really bad tonight...

What should I be letting the mechanic know what it possibly is when I talk to him?

Thanks