2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Hard Steering

[dom0621]

I have 2000 2500 4x4 quad automatic 170k srw and can not turn the steering wheel when the brake is applied and when the truck is not moving. I replaced almost everything on the front end ball joints steering box hub beerings power steering pump rebuilt the track bar. Can anyone help????

 

[mroodzant]

I have been dealing with a similar issue the past week. I have a 2003 3500 SRW quadcab I have found out a couple things about my truck this week. truck has 110,000 miles. truck has had 19. 5 vision wheels with michelins or toyo tires since near new. I too had hard steering for the first day, then after very minimal driving I developed a fast leak in the PS system. I did minimal investigating to see where the leak was coming from. I refilled the PS reservoir and drove to a local mechanic. I have found out that when the PS pump goes it will send "crud" through the PS gearbox and then into the Brake Hydroboost. Dealer want $2500 for parts and labor. Napa wants approx $500 for parts. I believe the spec shop time is about 6 hours to replace all these parts. The really bad news was that the aftermarket PS pump does not come with a pulley and my mechanic broke the pulley trying to remove it from my old pump. Apparently Dorman is the manufacturer for aftermarket pulley sold at all parts stores. The bad news is that the pulley listed for my Ram is the wrong pulley. and apparently the manufacterur has made a huge error and does not have the correct pulley in stock. So we have located a pulley at a wrecking yard, but the repair manual states specifically not to reuse a PS pump pulley. Truck has been down at shop for a week I will try to reuse this pulley!

 

[mroodzant]

Got truck back today!! wallet was $1500 lighter but they worked their tails off to get this thing back together.

 

[RCatalo]

I had a similar problem, Went through a lenghty process of checking over the front end found the left axle shaft ujoint dragging a bit when i turn the spindle left and right, i replaced it and the problem still continued but wasnt as bad, i decided to go with a ps pump as mine was original ( had 174,000 miles on it ) went with a napa reman with the filter option, that seem to solve the problem, then a couple of months later i noticed the same problem again, (hard steering when stopped and foot on brake pedal ) at this point i was about to lose my mind, My front end alignment shop advised me to check the air pressure in the tires only to find the fronts were at 55 psi i normally run 65, i adjusted the air pressure to 65 and so far so good.

I have also read were even the reman ps pumps can be low on pressure right out of the box. the dodge service manual describes how to test for correct flow and pressure on a ps pump/steer system,low ps pressure could cause this problem that your describing or possible problem with the hyd portion of the steer box.

If you need the ps specs let me know and i will look them up and post them, my truck is a 2000 cummins powered 3500,that i switched to a single wheel instead of the dually. Regards Rich

 

[FFL8N]

I have a question for you guys. My brother has an 06 dodge with the gasser engine. He called me this morning and told me his steering wheel locked up on him a couple of times. Once when he was just starting out from his home as he was just pulling out the driveway, then again in a parking lot. Do you guys know what would cause this??

 

[snappy]

I have a question for you guys. My brother has an 06 dodge with the gasser engine. He called me this morning and told me his steering wheel locked up on him a couple of times. Once when he was just starting out from his home as he was just pulling out the driveway, then again in a parking lot. Do you guys know what would cause this??

I have experienced this on a different brand. A new power steering box solved the lock-up.