Is it time for PM & replace orig working Pwr Steering unit?

[WalterJ]

Getting towed today from a hospital parking garage because a coolant leak caused the serpentine belt to jump off pulleys. (orig wtr pmp replaced 8 yrs & 132K miles ago)

Wife is getting more anxious about the future reliability on the road. When asked "What else can break now!", I calmly responded the pwr steer unit is original & I probably could change out the hoses, etc.

As my sig reports, mayhaps 316K miles is enough to expect from such equipment? New truck is not an option, nor is it logical in my mind. It seems us people that repair vehicles are desensitized to "breaking down"? Don't know why I don't get emotional about such events. Ya buys your ticket & yus takes your chances. Whining over for now...

Wally

 

[jgillott]

I have lots and lots of miles on 3rd gen trucks. Not a single power steering failure. I don't think I would open up an otherwise working system unless a problem occurs. I'm not saying that you will not have a failure, but you could drive yourself crazy replacing parts on a what if.

 

[DavidC]

What He said ^^^^^^^^^

 

[WalterJ]

I have lots and lots of miles on 3rd gen trucks. Not a single power steering failure. I don't think I would open up an otherwise working system unless a problem occurs. I'm not saying that you will not have a failure, but you could drive yourself crazy replacing parts on a what if.

Psychologically, that's where I'm headed. My spousal unit requires more security than a 316K vehicle seems to offer. Thanks for responding, I'll try to close this stupid topic--just needed to vent amongst 'friends'.

 

[jgillott]

Not stupid at all and I can certainly understand where her concern is. However, as you know, it is incredibly difficult to predict future failures.

Grab a spare #4 injector line, a 19mm stubby wrench, and be prepared for a line failure. That is much more likely to get you on the road than steering component failure.

Show her this thread and hopefully it will make her feel better about the mechanical reliability of these units.

 

[seafish]

I am sure that you understand that it is unlikely that a coolant leak caused the serpentine let to jump off track but rather a failing water pump bearing caused BOTH the coolant leak and the serp belt failure.

IOW, at the very least you def need to inspect and also likely change the water pump.

While the belt is off, it is an excellent idea to spin check EACH and EVERY pulley/bearing for either axial and end play/looseness AND/OR roughness/tightness while turning by hand. The ONLY pulley that is allowed end play is in fact the PS pump pulley...fro some reason or another, Chrysler built that in and it is perfectly acceptable to have up to about 1/8" end play on the PS pump. Of course any axial play anywhere is unacceptable.

Also, FYI-- the spring on the belt tensioner can loose tension after many miles and there is no way to easily check this....if your belt tensioner is the original or otherwise high miles, it would be a good idea to install a new Cummins tensioner as a replacement.

Genos garage is the BEST place to get these parts if you dolt have ready and local access to a Cummins dealer, who can also get you poem parts for MUCH less then a Mopar dealership!!!!

Last note (LOL...sorry) if you DO need a new water pump, the Cummins oem is a better long term bet then ANY of the other aftermarket water pumps, including the Gates.

just my .02

 

[WalterJ]

Seafish: Thanks for helpful hints & your time to share'em. Just got home from visiting son after 2 days of cardiac procedures, transfers, etc...been a long 2 days.

Park garage lighting is minimal, no belt-no steering/brakes either 'cause it's a diesel; lucky to get it kittywampus into some handicap spots; security helped w/cones! Wife is beside herself w/embarrassment......there then at home. Total 4.5 hours & no small wreckers want to get me out of a parking garage, so #3 son & I are tooling up tomorrow to rinse belt/pulleys & get the belt back on & replace hoses/pump as needed. I've got 4 REAL can-do boys on my home team- GO AIR FORCE!

Side note: After 'interviewing' Mom, #3 reports it may be best if I just bit the bullet & bought a replacement. Suuure son, right away. He suggests looking away from Wisc & contact some dlrs in TX, GA. I'm thinkin'...dun rush me son.

Wally

 

[DavidC]

Nothing to be embarrassed about. Eventually unless lucky we are all on the side of the road at some time. It's all part of the game.

 

[Regcabguy]

You're a skilled driver to fit our trucks in a parking garage. I saw an older leaf sprung Ford four dr longbed being navigated by it's owner in a parking garage. He was making three-pt turns constantly. The fumes coming off that truck were pretty obnoxious.

 

[WalterJ]

You're a skilled driver to fit our trucks in a parking garage. I saw an older leaf sprung Ford four dr longbed being navigated by it's owner in a parking garage. He was making three-pt turns constantly. The fumes coming off that truck were pretty obnoxious.

LOL...thanks.

Nothing to be embarrassed about. Eventually unless lucky we are all on the side of the road at some time. It's all part of the game.

Thanks for the ego boost/support, not to be cornfused with ecoboost!

 

[CBari]

Not trying to jack your thread but I have a power steering pump question. I had noticed a leak on mine on my 03 for sometime. I thought it was the Oring between reservoir and the pump. While I had it in the shop having a transmission pan leak fixed. I had them look at the power steering leak as you couldn't remove my reservoir without removing the pump. They determined that it was a fitting that was loose and leaking. They tightened it and said it was all better. I drove it home and noticed it had a little catch in wheel when turning seemed more pronounced if my foot was on the brake. I checked the fluid which was a little low but not by much I added a little and drove it again same issue. Could it have air in it and is it bleed able and if so how do I bleed it.

 

[WalterJ]

Not trying to jack your thread but I have a power steering pump question. I had noticed a leak on mine on my 03 for sometime. I thought it was the Oring between reservoir and the pump. While I had it in the shop having a transmission pan leak fixed. I had them look at the power steering leak as you couldn't remove my reservoir without removing the pump. They determined that it was a fitting that was loose and leaking. They tightened it and said it was all better. I drove it home and noticed it had a little catch in wheel when turning seemed more pronounced if my foot was on the brake. I checked the fluid which was a little low but not by much I added a little and drove it again same issue. Could it have air in it and is it bleed able and if so how do I bleed it.

CBari: Your 1st thought is accurate...me thinks you'll have more success creating a New Thread, mayhaps titled: "Can PS Units get air bound?"

 

[WalterJ]

Seafish: Thanks for helpful hints & your time to share'em. Just got home from visiting son after 2 days of cardiac procedures, transfers, etc...been a long 2 days.

Park garage lighting is minimal, no belt-no steering/brakes either 'cause it's a diesel; lucky to get it kittywampus into some handicap spots; security helped w/cones! Wife is beside herself w/embarrassment......there then at home. Total 4.5 hours & no small wreckers want to get me out of a parking garage, so #3 son & I are tooling up tomorrow to rinse belt/pulleys & get the belt back on & replace hoses/pump as needed. I've got 4 REAL can-do boys on my home team- GO AIR FORCE!

Side note: After 'interviewing' Mom, #3 reports it may be best if I just bit the bullet & bought a replacement. Suuure son, right away. He suggests looking away from Wisc & contact some dlrs in TX, GA. I'm thinkin'...dun rush me son.

Wally

UPDATE-FINAL RESOLUTION
NO joy - no joy. Constant coolant leak directly above my "target" for attaching the belt

, the tensioner pulley, couldn't block it nor divert it. Arrrgh. Still no one willing to come get me out to the street, so wrapped up our stuff, and I drove it with emergency brake @ 80% and horsed it 'round corners, foot by foot, to the street, whilst #3 son's truck was traffic blocker. NOTE: Our Diesel must use the Pwr Steering Pmp for "hydrostatic" assist for steering & brakes, as there is no 'engine vacuum'. Parked it against the far curb & had a Pastrami sandwich on the tailgate waiting for the flatbed. We still had a good time & a few laughs. Rather be fishing, but hey.... Truck delivered Sat. to my diesel repair shop 30 miles South & picked it up today, Tuesday the 9th.

The water pump bearing was severely worn, its shaft drooped & eventually breached the water seal, dowsing the belt in slippery coolant, etc. NOTE: Granted, driving a Focus or Prius or Kia Soul, I might have heard the bearing issue. Since I had previously purchased: upper & lower rad. hoses, tensioner pulley assy., water pump & 4 gal. Xerex GO-5 coolant, the truck came complete with repair parts for shop opening Monday following July 4th wkend. NOTE: Shop owner was totally OK with my parts supply; said it actually helped him get my "small" job out of the way so the money jobs could move in.

All the above were installed & spousal unit's confidence level rose from 2 to 6; mine is back to 10 where it belongs, eh. For those without carnal knowledge of our RAM water pump, I enclose pics of it & one of the roller bearing elements that fell onto my hand. Thanks everyone for your support & interest.

P.S. Mechanic Mike confirmed what I thought, that the Cummins Water Pump design & placement is the easiest to replace among our competitors. The V-8's are costly labor items.