2003 power steering help

[Firewalker]

I have a 2003 Ram 3500 dzl

Just installed the new and improved power steering pump from the dealer.

the new pump required a new updated tank bracket and a new tank.

the new style tank is white and round.



The problem i have is that now the radiator overflow tank will not fit back in.

The new power steering tank is canted forwardward from the original tank.



Note that i do have the Flex a Lite electric fan conversion.



I s there a new tank i should be loking for?



Also installed a Borgson gear box along with the new power steering pump.

I am more then happy the trusk will dry steer in 4wd with the brakes applied.

should have done this upgrade years ago!!!



Any help on the radiator overflow tank?

thanks

ken

 

[B.G. Smith]

You sure that's not the windshield washer tank? Still a problem if it won't go back where it's supposed to. bg

 

[retirednak]

Would you be kind enough to explain what the new and improved power steering pump is all about? I've been wanting to do something about my power steering system,but not sure what I need. What kind of issues were you having prior to the upgrade? Is there a TSB or is this a newer year truck upgrade?

Thanks-Casey

 

[Dieselnerd]

The new pump is the one now used on the newer trucks. I had mine replaced by my dealer last November when my original started leaking. It's very expensive and comes in four parts. The pump, a pulley, a new reservoir and new bracket to fasten the pump to the engine. I had the dealer do it because I was concerned about getting the bracket and pulley perfectly aligned since it came in pieces.



Total cost of parts, labor and taxes was $1074!



The worst part was when I towed my fifth wheel to AZ, I got as far as Texas and my serpentine belt started jumping grooves towards the engine and was shredding against the tone ring on the crank damper.



I changed the belt, in the rain, and since I have a fluid damper that must be removed to change the belt, it was a several hour job.



The next day the new belt did the same thing again! I limped into a Dodge dealer in Midland Texas. Long story but the power steering pulley was pressed too far onto the shaft. Dealer corrected the pulley alignment and I changed the belt myself again because of the damper. I didn't want all the extra labor charges.



Texas dealer charged $293 to diagnose and correct the problem with the pulley. My home dealer says he will pay the $293 and give me a couple of free belts but it was a real hassle while towing a big fifth wheel.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Wow Ron, that was a lousy adventure especially with the fiver in tow.
Any idea what went wrong with the pump? High miles?

 

[Dieselnerd]

Wow Ron, that was a lousy adventure especially with the fiver in tow.

Any idea what went wrong with the pump? High miles?

My original pump started leaking from the shaft at about 63,000. Not exactly high miles. It also had end play. You could move the shaft in and out about 1/16 of an inch. I never changed fluid, that might have made it last longer. I'll be changing fluid on the new pump.



The new pump works great, higher pressure shows on my BrakeSmart when I hit the brakes and the steering feels lighter. If they had put the pulley in the right place to start with all would have been fine.

 

[seafish]

The new pump is the one now used on the newer trucks. I had mine replaced by my dealer last November when my original started leaking. It's very expensive and comes in four parts. The pump, a pulley, a new reservoir and new bracket to fasten the pump to the engine. I had the dealer do it because I was concerned about getting the bracket and pulley perfectly aligned since it came in pieces.



Total cost of parts, labor and taxes was $1074!

Dieselnerd

Thnaks for the info... . the newer pump sounds like a solid upgrade given some of the problems people are experiencing with the older pumps--



Would it be possible for you to post the MOPAR Part#'s from your invoice??



That would save the rest of us ALOT of time trying to track them down.



TIA and Happy New Year!!!

 

[Dieselnerd]

Seafish, here are the numbers and retail prices. If you look at the Mopar wholesale parts places online, I'm sure you could get them for much less.



68034326AB Kit- pump and pulley $588. 00

68034303AB reservoir, PS pump $117. 70

68100252AA Bracket, PS pump $18. 90

 

[retirednak]

Thanks for letting us know about the new pump,I'll upgrade mine once it starts leaking or causes me more problems.

 

[seafish]

Seafish, here are the numbers and retail prices. If you look at the Mopar wholesale parts places online, I'm sure you could get them for much less.



68034326AB Kit- pump and pulley $588. 00

68034303AB reservoir, PS pump $117. 70

68100252AA Bracket, PS pump $18. 90

Dieselnerd, THANKS again for the info!!



FactoryMoparParts has always had pretty dam good prices--



Found it there for $386--

Mopar Part 68034326AB PUMP & PULLEY KIT



The res for $73. 50--

Mopar Part 68034303AB POWER STEERING PUMP RESERVOIR



The bracket for $10. 35--

Mopar Part 68100252AA POWER STEERING PUMP BRACKET



For a total of $470, not including shipping.



Did you find a way to fit the rad overflow tank back in??

How much interefrence is there anyhow??

 

[Firewalker]

Well decided to scrap the oem overflow tank and make my own.

the clearance issue was tracked back to the Flex-A-Light fan conversion.

the new fan shroud is thicker which pushes the radiator overflow tank rearward 1 inch.



I made a new tank from 3" pvc. i will try to attch a picture . it came out realy good.



ken

 

[Prairie Dog]

Nice work! I'm always impressed with my fellow TDR brethren's fabricating prowess.

 

[seafish]

NICE job... I particulary like the sight "glass" .

Thanks again for the info and update.

 

[Firewalker]

$25 in parts.

Sometimes it is not worth the phone calls. Just brake out the tools and hit the shop.

This conversion also cleans up under the hood leaving even more room to work.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

See TDR 73 p. 92 for a discussion of power steering replacemnt pumps for Third Generation Turbo Diesels.

 

[Dieselnerd]

See TDR 73 p. 92 for a discussion of power steering replacemnt pumps for Third Generation Turbo Diesels.

Joe, I tried to get the pump you used in your article so I could install it myself. I live in a major metro area and nobody had one of the older style. I was worried about the pulley alignment issue you mentioned so I had the dealer do the install of the new replacement.



I think I might have been able to do a better job myself after the bad job the dealer did.

 

[retirednak]

Joe, I tried to get the pump you used in your article so I could install it myself. I live in a major metro area and nobody had one of the older style. I was worried about the pulley alignment issue you mentioned so I had the dealer do the install of the new replacement.



Can you tell any difference with the new pump? If you had to do the pump all over again,would you use the Mopar pump again? I'm thankful I don't have any leaks,just tired of the slow speed struggles.

 

[Dieselnerd]

Can you tell any difference with the new pump? If you had to do the pump all over again,would you use the Mopar pump again? I'm thankful I don't have any leaks,just tired of the slow speed struggles.

Steering seems lighter. I would use the new style pump again. I've heard that it's a good pump from other reports on the Internet.

 

[retirednak]

Thanks for getting back to me,I was leaning towards Red Head upgrade but with the favorable results on Mopar parts,I'll kick this idea around. Just bought ball joints and the free wheel hub kit,so I'm tapped out at this point.

 

[brillmtb]

I think it is my steering box leaking and when I turn my wheel back and forth I hear a clunking coming from the box.



Question. Which replacement box and should I do the pump as well