Great steering, finally!

[Superdawg]

Over the years, I have replaced many parts (Carli ball joints and track bar, O8 upgrade, steering boxes). All have helped but I still had wander and more steering effort to turn the wheel than others with the same type of truck. I would describe it as almost manual steering, where you have to turn it, it builds resistance then moves. Not good.

My truck is an 04. 5 4wd, stock wheels and tires.

I sourced a steering pump from an LKQ salvage yard in the midwest. I was able to get the pump, reservoir and pulley (all intact) and brackets and bolts, off a 2011 2wd w/ 8,000 miles on it. All for $125 shipped to my door.

According to the local Dodge dealer, the 2wd and 4wd pumps are the same.

I needed the updated brackets. The newer pump is about 2 1/2 inches wide and the old one is 2 1/4 inches wide. The brackets sandwich the pump. Turns out, the front bracket appears to be the same as what I had so I left it attached to the engine. I replaced the rear bracket which opens the space up to 2 1/2 inches.

I had removed the drivers side front tire, wheel well liner and intake air tube. I still feel like I played twister for about 8 hours. It is darn hard to reach with my limited assortment of fancy tools. A day later, I still feel like I was hit by a car.

Putting it back together, the power in the steering was immediately apparent. The tracking still could be better. I had a new (rebuilt) Redhead steering gear in the garage and decided to put that in next.

All I can say is this is how steering should be. Crisp, responsive, easy to turn, I sorry it took this long to get here. I think that steering pump was a low output pump almost since I bought the truck. Most people looked at me like I was crazy to think about switching out the pump. I'm looking forward to my next trailer pulling trip.

 

[seafish]

Superdawg,that's great to know...



Lately more then several people on different forums have posted how the newer Mopar power steering pumps are helping solve their steering issues. Like other important front end and suspension parts, it seems that the engineers at Chrysler did not really consider the engineering effects of putting in the much heavier Cummins motor in a front suspension that was meant for a lighter gas engine. Pretty much the weight of the cummins maxed out the design parameters of the entire front end and left little room for actually hauling weight or even putting on even slightly larger tires. :-laf



In any xase, I understand the the newer PS pump has superseded the 5. 9 PS pump at the parts counter, though as you pinted out, you also need to buy the brackets and resorvoir. Sourcing it used at a wrecking yard was a GREAT idea!!

 

[TSPowell]

Is there a specific model year they started using this "new" pump?

 

[Superdawg]

I think the newer design came in 2009. Just make sure the pump is for the diesel engine. I'm pretty sure the gas engine lists a different pump. This may not work for everyone but apparently my pump was in bad shape.

 

[algonaman]

As far as pumps go, would this one from PSC be an upgrade to our trucks?



Dodge Cummins 1400 Series Pump and Reservoir Kit-PK1490 : Pump Systems and Components, Dodge | PSC Motorsports - performance steering components



Any one tried any other aftermarket pump upgrade or this PSC?

TIA.

-Eric

 

[Yo Hoot]

This is something I'm considering also except the cost is astronomical. My steering box is shot after 117,000 miles steering 35" 10 plies and pushing a Western V-plow. The output shaft knocks up and down when I cycle the steering and it's dripping fluid. If I'm going to replace the box I sure want to replace the entire system but it looks like close to $1000 to do it and that's on my labor.

Steering effort has always been hard when turning while not moving. With the plow on I can't steer unless I roll or am on snow.