power steering behavior

[DLeno]

hey guys i need a reality check. Are the 03-04 trucks capable of a full stop-to-stop wheel turn while standing still? I find that mine is very hard to turn without rolling just a bit. I have 285s.

 

[CJ8Rockcrawler]

I've never tried stop to stop while sitting still, but I can turn it a little in place. I generally try to be at least rolling a little bit because it is so much easier on the various components.

 

[SSlevin]

It seems easier if you pick up the rpms a bit. I take mine in some places you shouldnt take a truck this long and often have to steer with no moving room

 

[DLeno]

I notice it on dry pavement in a parking lot, when I have to do a 3 or 4 pt turn. not even stop-to-stop; sometimes the wheel is so hard to turn I can't move it unless I roll a tiny bit.

 

[Chris Thom]

I am able to stop to stop with out problems, However I have a leak on the steering box, it is slow seep that has covered the box. The truck is less than 2 months old. Could I have extra pressure that is causing the leak?

 

[DLeno]

I dunno about that. sounds like you're in need of a trip to the dealer and they can check out all that. I may do the same. today I tried increasing rpm and that didn't work.

 

[JRG]

I too have often wondered this as I CAN NOT turn the wheel when stopped either. It's that time when you are in a tight place where moving is not an option, you need the wheel to turn.



JRG

 

[bighammer]

Mine was the same. I had the truck in for other items as well and mentioned it to the service manager. (as well as the vertical play in the steering gear output shaft) The steering gear was replaced and is MUCH improved. Oo.

 

[JRG]

Did they say what was wrong with the steering gear? Power valve? Did they say anything about bigger tires?



JRG

 

[Bertram65]

I noticed it hard to turn the wheel a couple times when I had the 315s on the truck, I have never felt it with the 265s on the truck.

 

[sag2]

The third gen's are not as bad as 2nd's, but basically are the same system. The hydroboost favors brakes first, then steering. If you are on the brakes, the system uses up most of the pressure/flow on brake assist. What's left over is for steering. It gets worse with bigger/offset tires and wheels. It is the nature of the beast. Same system on Ford and Chevy.

If you are in a tight spot, especially backing a trailer slowly, it will sometimes be hard to impossible to steer, depending on how hard you are on the brakes, and angle of wheels.

 

[BRuppel]

i just think i keep hearing the power steering box whine when i make turns. i checked the fluid and it is right where it needs to be. i don't get it.

 

[jelag]

I have an 04 and my sons is an 04. 5 and there is a difference in the steering between the 2 trucks... . the 04. 5 is easier it turn when its not rolling and seems easier to turn when its on the road... I raised the hood and looked at the 2 pumps thinking that the 04. 5 might have a smaller pully, that would speed the pump up... and couldn't see a difference but there is something there... ... .

 

[DLeno]

sag2 -- thanks for that excellent information. time to do more experiments...