Power Steering & Brakes

[laserbrn]

I have a 2000 Mustang GT 4.6L. All of the sudden my power steering and brakes are acting up. The belts are all turning, but I have no power steering and the brakes are hard as a rock. The brakes seem to stop the car but they don't have the natural feel. I was thinking vacuum leak, but I just can't seem to resolve this issue.

Does anyone know what might cause both of these systems to fail at the same time?

 

[Superhereaux]

Ford uses whats called hydro-boost instead of a conventional (vacuum) brake booster. the power steering pump creates the pressure needed to provide the brake assist as opposed to engine vacuum


check the power steering fluid level and check for leaks around the booster unit itself. you're looking for a red puddle since it uses ATF. have you had any work done to the vehicle lately?

 

[laserbrn]

No. No work done to the car recently. I will check on it tomorrow and see if I see any fluid leaking. Would replacing the power steering pump solve this problem? I suspected it was a hydroboost system for the brakes after reading some more info online, but don't quite understand this type of system.

 

[Mustang5L5]

Yes if the power steering fluid is low due to a leak, it would cause both problems.