Archived No Power Steering or Brakes

[jdross440]

This is on my 2000 2500. I have lost both power steering and brakes. I was coming back from a trip. I got it home by being very careful. I figured the pump had quit again so I replaced it (one I replaced was only 6 months old but have had trouble with rebuilds). When I started truck it pumped some for about 15 seconds then quit. I thought maybe the hydroboost had gone out and was blocking fluid flow. Before removing it I disconnected the pressure line from pump at hydroboost. I started truck and nothing came out. So I took that pump back and swapped it. I went ahead and replaced hydroboost unit as it was warranted. Put back together and left return line from steering gear disconnected and end in a bottle to flush old fluid and bleed air. After about 15-30 seconds same thing. Quart bottle was about half full(I didn't let pump run dry) but no more flow. Could there be something in vacuum pump causing this? I need the truck going for work.

 

[GAmes]

I'm assuming you remove the two pumps as a unit, then mate the drive gear form the PS pump to the cross washer? If you are, then no, the VP isn't causing your problem. Saving money on reman pumps isn't always a saving.

 

[jdross440]

I had only removed the steering pump by itself and looked inside the vacuum pump with a mirror. The coupler looked good but I found the problem. It was the vacuum pump. The coupler inside the pump was slipping on the shaft. There was just enough friction to spin the pump until it started making pressure then it would stop turning. After removing the vacuum pump I held the gear with my hand and put a wrench into the coupler (one that fit in the groove) and could hold it while turning the gear easily by hand.