Archived HELP!! power steering pump dead after 2 mo's

[TMorris]

On january 1, 2002 my power steering & power brakes went out on my 2001 dodge ram. It was taken to the local dodge dealership (joliet dodge in illinois) to get fixed. On january 3, 2002 i paid $600 plus a $110 towing bill to get it fixed (ins. reimbursed me for towing costs). Not even 2 months later on march 2, 2002 the same exact thing is wrong again. I can not steer or brake my truck. It is not drivable.



My question is that since it was a DODGE dealership that did the work, would they warranty their parts & work for a certain period of time, like 12k & 1 year or longer? This is absolutely should not have happened again in less than 2 months. Hell, it shouldnt even happen in less than 2 years.



I am going to call the dealership first thing on monday and try to get them to fix it asap, and also see if i can get them to provide me with a loaner vehicle while it is getting fixed. Do you think they will do this repair for free, seeing that it obviously was either installed wrong, or it was a defective part they put in. I hope my insurance company will reimburse me for this second towing bill. Hopefully there isnt some stupid clause in it that says they wont cover towing bills for a reaccuring problem.



Anyone have any good info/advice for me?



Thanks,

Tim

 

[Shooter]

should have been covered under the 3/36. The problem happens ocasionaly though mostly in the 12v units. . ( steering fails and brakes don't, brakes fail and steering doesn't and both steering and brakes fail ) They operate off the same pump and hydrolic system. . some have had steering gear replacements, some master cy's, some pump's, and any and all combinations of the preceeding to remidy the problem. Most believe there is a bypass/ pressure relief valve that fails.



Dodge should ( but then again we are dealing with DC ) stand behind their parts and labor.

 

[TMorris]

My truck has 45,000 miles, so the factory warranty is over with.



Tim

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

My brother is on his 7th PS pump on his '92' :--)

He paid for the first one after the original failed, since then each successive one has been under warranty. Ok they don't seem to last more than a month or two but 7!! gimme a break!

DC can't seem to find the flaw. He's even had them send one which failed, out to be rebuilt and installed. NO LUCK!



Regards, Bob

 

[Diesel Boy]

Dead power steering and brakes.

Perhaps it's the oil you are using.

 

[TMorris]

Well, i guess that's a bit of good news to hear that each of the successive 7 pumps have been covered under warranty.



The dealership put in the factory recommended fluid, so that shouldnt be the culprit.



I just hope to got they dont try and tell me that the pump took something else out, like the hydroboost pump, or ... . then try to get me to pay for the repairs!



Tim

 

[Shooter]

You might call/ check with Cummins to see if the pump is a DC part or a Cummins part. If it is a Cummins part it might be better to have Cummins take care of it. Just a thought.

 

[THerman]

Originally posted by Shooter

( steering fails and brakes don't, brakes fail and steering doesn't and both steering and brakes fail ) They operate off the same pump and hydrolic system. .

Are you saying the brakes and powersteering use the same pump?



If so that my explain the hard steering AND braking I'm having some of these very cold mornings lately... . I definately notice the steering being hard(MUCH harder than last year or earlier this year) coupled with hard and touchy brakes... . right after start up... .



My pump is very loud @ 1000rpm... I'm wondering about belt slippage... .



Any thoughts? (this is new as of last week!)

 

[Dave MacArthur]

THerman-



The brakes use a hydraulic power assist instead of vacuum (diesels don't generate enough vacuum so you have to have either a vacuum pump or use hydraulic assist). That assist is provided by the power steering pump. Have you had a cold snap lately? Some of the guys have switched to a synthetic power steering fluid. They use a turkey baster to remove as much of the old fluid as possible. Do a search for power steering fluid and you should find lots of info. I know one of the complaints has been a very loud sound from the pump.

 

[EShaw]

Just went out to go to the store... ... Put it in Reverse... ... go to turn wheel... ... . hit brakes... ... ... Uh oh... ... . pull back in driveway... ... . P/S fluid... ... ... It's dark... ..... gonna try to find leak... ..... but after what I read... ..... crap!... ... ... ... . Better get ready to get jerked around ... ... crap!... ... ... . crap!

Eric

 

[wtrenholm]

One note on repeat pump failures. Make sure the whole system is flushed. If the failed pump contaminated the system with metallic debris, ALL contamiation must be removed or the replacment pump doesn't have a chance. I just remove a return line, plug the resivour and route the line into a drain pan. Fill the pump full and momentarily start the truck and purge the system. Repeat until the fluid comes clean. You also may have to look into somekind of an inline filter. That's how I do it, others may have different methods. Some shops have actual flushing machines.



Plenty of automatic transmissions and in tank electric fuel pumps (on gassers) fail from left over contamination. It takes time to do the job properly and time is money (sometimes lots).



My pump is real loud when cold out, nasty below zero. Am planning to switch to synthetic fluid at my next oil change.



HTH

Wayne