Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Bad hydraulic booster??

[tblb0900]

This is a power steering nightmare. It started out in a parking lot when I locked the steering wheel to the right. System started growling immediatley and steering was at about 50%. I nursed it home and replaced the ps pump. With the new pump I had no steering and no brakes so I put the old pump back on and brakes came back but ps was still at 50%. Then i replaced the steering gear and return lines and nothing changed. So I got another pump and everything worked great for a ride around the block. When I went to park the truck the brakes self applied and the steering went out completely. The only thing my service manual says about brakes self applying is contaminated fluid or bad dump valve in booster. Does anyone know how to completely flush system with brakes self applying or do I just need to replace booster? Can the booster be rebuilt or do I have to buy a new one. NAPA wants 240$ for a booster, is there a better place to buy one? TIA for any help.

 

[DieselDoghouse]

Unfortunately the booster would be my first suspect. Your price isn't bad since under the gun I paid $400 + from the ******* (when we finally found one) My understanding is that the HB functions like power-beyond on an open-center tractor hydraulic: applying the brake would deprive flow from the steering so that fits. Hydro arrives from the pump and is then:



1. bypassed entirely to the return from the HB + steering gear

2. activates the brake assist and returned from the HB

3. passed thru the HB to operate the steering gear and returned from the gear.



When mine failed it finally began leaking (blown seal) but was also wicked hot preceding. Subsequently I added a rail-mount cooler on the return line to soak out some of the heat and preserve the unit.

 

[tblb0900]

Thank you for the tip. Where did you get the cooler? That sounds like a real good idea. I haven't changed mine yet. Just got the part and disconnected the lines. I'm worried about the booster discharging while i'm taking it off the truck. I hear that accumilator holds alot of pressure. I cant discharge it The way the service manual says because even after i disconnected the lines the brake pedal is still stuck on the floor.

 

[tblb0900]

Thanks again for your help DieselDoghouse. Just finished up changing booster. Everything works good so far. That's a big load off my back. It was much easier job than I thought it would be. I would still like some info on that cooler whenever you get time.

 

[DieselDoghouse]

Sorry for the delay - I got the booster from my local Western Performance Guy here in Hanover MA. Its called a rail cooler since its profile (1 folded coil) will fit along a frame rail. The old Dodges had these but they were inexplicably dropped (???). Most of what he gets is from the Key automotive distributer-I'll search through my files from the brand - thnk its thermo-cool??

 

[DieselDoghouse]

Brain fog has cleared - it was:



Perma-cool power-steering cooler 1200 series 1. 5 • 3. 5 • 18 inches - the real guys call it 2-pass not folded…Hope this helps.

 

[tblb0900]

Thank you. I will do some looking and see what I can find.