Intermittent power steering

[Zzed]

Just a quick question to see if anyone has had the same issue (and what the solution was).



2006 Ram 2500 TD



Three times in the past month or two, I've had this happen. While going under 10mph (in a parking lot or driveway), when I turn to the left, the power steering suddenly feels like it conks out and I'm back to manual steering (which feels like no steering with an 8000lb truck). A quick turn of the wheel to right and then back to the left "unlocks" it and all is well again. No funny sounds, no jerks, just a temporary loss of steering.



Anyone seen this? I've got it at the dealer right now, but I'd like to compare their diagnosis with anyone elses.



-=Zzed=-

 

[MMeier]

Did you check fluid level and condition? I run Amsoil ATF in mine and by doing that, got rid of an intermittent condition similar to yours when mine was cold. FWIW, I change mine out every other oil change, 20-25k miles.

 

[Zzed]

Good info, thanks. I got the truck back from the dealer (was 300 miles beyond the warranty), but because they were "having trouble with the test equipment", they had the truck all day and never got around to looking at it. They did say the fluid seemed "awfully black", whatever that might mean. I'll probably take it to a local shop that my dad recommended (a fellow TD owner).

I still find it odd that the Dodge service schedule makes absolutely no mention of any servicing of the power steering system, yet the dealer has it at 30,000 miles.

 

[Zzed]

To tie up this loose end, I'll finish the story.



I finally took it a different dealer, one that treated me a little better. They took a look at the steering system and couldn't find anything wrong. The Dodge tech support line attributed the issue to the hydrobooster putting brake pressure over power steering pressure when braking while steering, thus, causing the steering to become more difficult. I didn't really think this was the issue, but accepted it nonetheless.



Weeks passed... .



One day, when returning from an errand, I hopped back in the truck and found I had no steering at all. Actually, I should say, I had manual steering. But on an 8000 lbs truck, it might as well be zero. Called the tow truck, who towed me back to the dealer. Dealer checked it out and found that both the pump and the steering box needed replacement. He said the pump was totally disintegrated, which was nothing I, as a user, could have caused.



Thankfully, I was close enough to my warranty period that they covered the repair AND the tow. Even though I had to limp the truck back to the dealer a week later because of a loose hose, I'd still recommend them for repairs.



Well, it's fixed and it cost me $0. Couldn't get much better.



-=Zzed=-