P/S pump quit?

[fest3er]

'98 12V 2500, 325k miles, original vacuum and P/S pumps.

Out of the blue, I lost power steering and brakes. Since then, I heard/felt an occasional 'thump' or 'click/tick' as though the pump was trying to work. Fluid level is OK, and fluid doesn't seem to 'move'. One poster here said his vacuum pump to P/S pump connection (dogs?) was munged. Could it be that? Or maybe the pump just quit? Ideas?

If nothing else, I'll improve my upper body strength 'til I get it fixed. And I'll be a busy as a one-armed paper hanger driving it: two arms to steer and a third to shift in and out of neutral when stopping and starting. And figures, the next three days I'll be too busy to get it looked at (and I have to drive it, in-town).

Sigh. They just don't make things the way they used to.

 

[DavidC]

Check the screen at the return line and see if it is plugged. I believe you can see those dogs from above where the Vac. pump mates to power steering. You may have to rotate engine without starting to inspect both dogs

 

[BoeingDiesel]

I'm not sure if the 98 12V is configured the same as a '99 2nd Gen 24V but if it is the screen that David is referring to is in the body of the pump behind the high pressure line that goes to the hydro boost body. Follow that line to the H/B start the truck and loosen the nut. You'll know quick enough if it's getting fluid. Could be the screen or pump failure. You'll probably need a magnet to remove the screen assembly.
FWIW...I'm going through the same with my '99.

 

[Woodenhead]

You may have sheared the key driving the pump. Are your hydra boost brakes working? Do you still have vacuum (4wd and heater controls working)?

 

[fest3er]

Apparently the P/S pump was dead. The gears driving it were toast. And the oil line to the vacuum pump was 'seized' to the pump.

Fixing it is still cheaper than buying another truck. I might get it back tomorrow. Been driving neighbor's 'antique' little Chevy P/U in the meantime.