2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Lossed Power Steering (Felt pop in steering wheel)

[rkapperman]

I was driving straight and I felt a pop in the steering wheel. Obviously I noticed that on the next turn it was extremely diffucult to turn the truck (Dodge 3500 2001. 5 4x4). It appears that there is no fluid leaks and the main belt appears fine. I have read a few articals refering to the Vacumn pump might have a coupler that could of broke, does any one know of an artical with better descriptions of how the steering and vacumn pump interconnect. Any direction on how to diagnose this would be great but I will try to gather more information and add to this note.

 

[KWentling]

Eliminate the belt as a possible problem, the pump gear drives off the front timing gears. No vacuum involved in the power steering system. The vacuum pump does drive off the rear of the power steering pump though. Do the vacuum powered systems work? (Vent/defrost settings, cruise control, 4WD CAD, etc? If not, maybe the shaft or gear has failed on the pump. You have checked the fluid level? Do the brakes act normal? They use the power steering pump for hydraulic boost. If they act normal the pump is probably not the problem. Other posibilities would be a problem with the power steering gearbox or other steering componets binding (ball joints, tie rod ends,etc).



Kim

 

[GAmes]

Eliminate the belt as a possible problem, the pump gear drives off the front timing gears. No vacuum involved in the power steering system. The vacuum pump does drive off the rear of the power steering pump though.

That's backward. The pwr steering pump drives off the back of the vacuum pump, so it is possible to have vacuum and no pwr steering. I've had mine apart, but I can't picture in my mind how they connect. Cummins sells a seal kit and removing the assembly isnt't too hard, at least on a 2WD.

 

[KWentling]

Right you are. I knew that too. I wonder if he has determined anything yet?

Kim

 

[rkapperman]

P/S Pump Problems

After looking more into the problem I found this information. I do have vacuum in the vent system to switch the air output to different posistions. So that helps rule out the vacuum pump. Fluid levels are fine with no apparent loss of fluid so hopefully the the nitrogen canister is still functioning. Brakes are extremely hard to press so obviously the Power Steering pumps assist to the brakes hydroboost are not functioning properly. I have not pulled the P/S Pump yet because when I went to AutoZone (the only place open) to get a pump they say to use part number 7108 which should be for my engine (8th digit in VIN is 7) it is obviously wrong because it does not have the same number of tubes etc. configures and it also appears to be for a pulley drive system. I found the Part at NAPA ($107) the next day and it apears to be the correct one. The connection is a coupler much like you would find on electric drive motors. There are two fingers on the couple that could break but highly unlikely and I wont be able to tell until I remove the old pump. My brother has the same truck but 2001 instead of 2001. 5 and we both experience the noise coming out of the steering pump during cold weather. It was only 23 degrees on the day it broke so I wonder if the extra stress caused the problem? My brother also worked for a Dodge dealership and saw many (5+) trucks come in for problems and replacing the P/S pump would fix the problem, but he never had feedback what actually broke in the pump. Our best guess is the filter in the High pressure relief valve is getting clogged up. So we might do a to a little investigating before we return the old pump. I will update with more later. Thanks so much for the input...



2001. 5 2500 QC HO 6SPD 4X4

 

[rkapperman]

Well I started to fix the problem. I removed the pump first (its easy but I can see that it will be difficult to put back on because of the coupler!) and found that the problem is not the fingers on the pump that engage the coupler and the fingers on the Vacuum pump were found to be sheared :{ off. After removing the vacuum pump (easy by the way!) I found a coupler the looks like a 1/4 inch washer with 4 notches, that was intact and the fingers that are on the vacuum pump were sheared off. I think the piece that the fingers extend from is pressed on the shaft of the vacuum pump. So it looks like I need to replace the vacuum pump. Since I have the P/S Pump also I will replace both just in case some of the extra pressure that sheared the fingers was caused by the pump. Does any one have any Ideas what might have caused the extra stress so as to avoid future problems? Also turning the Steering Wheel (although difficult) expells fluid out of the open lines so it doesnt seem to have a clog in the lines. Any suggestions!!



I have attached some pictures of the situation... .

 

[JGK]

You are correct in your assessment, the fingers on the vacuum pump have sheared off! Very unusual.



If you can turn the PS pump by hand, I would think that would indicate it is OK.



I would not normally think you could get just the replacement drive shaft for the vacuum pump. I was about to suggest you contact www.fixinrams.com for a replacement, but I just looked up the site and it appears he is now also selling just the part you need for your pump. This is new. Contact him tomorrow!



-Jay

 

[rkapperman]

The Truck is fixed!! It was -5 degrees last night when we were fixing the vacuum pump even though I had the front of the truck in the garage and a tarp over the garage door with a salamander heater it was about 15 degrees in the garage. I replaced both the P/S and Vacuum pump since the P/S Pump seems to be a common part to replace with this engine. I also used the senthetic fluid and I dont get the whine like I used too even in this cold. After starting up the truck we tried turning the wheels a few turns and no power steering. So we jacked up the front end and turned the wheels left to right about 10 time until we heard the air belch out then started the truck again and every things seems to be running fine. Thanks for all the feed back and all the previous articals it really helps.



P. S. My brothers truck (2001 Dodge HO/4x4/Dually/Diesel) is having trouble supplying fuel from the Lift Pump. I think maybe water in the fuel freezing up at the LP so will just wait until the weather warms up to maybe 32 not -6. !!!!