Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Power Steering/Brake problem

[R-N-R]

About three weeks ago I siphoned out the factory power steering fluid and replaced it with synthetic. I went for a test ride and had no power assist in the steering or brakes. I had inadvertently overfilled the tank, so I used a turkey baster to suck out some fluid to the proper level. This worked fine for the next three weeks. The temp dropped a few times and I heard the infamous growl, but it was significantly better than before. A few days ago the temp dropped well below 20* and I did not have the heater plugged in. Once again I did not have any power assist, and the PS pump puked a fair sized pool of fluid. I again sucked out some more fluid, however I still have an annoying sound and lack of power assist. Before attempting to fix the infamous growl, it would make the noise predominately when steering and somewhat during braking, experiencing limited power assist during those events until the truck warmed up and they went away. Now the noise is a much higher pitch, it happens while I hold the truck with the brake, and the steering resistance is intermittent (grabby). I have not yet driven a distance that I would consider the truck warmed up, but I have plugged it in a few times, and the outside temps are upwards of 30*. The feel and sound is similar to when it had stock fluid and cold temps, but noticeably different and does not seem inclined to go away. I also notice considerably foaming in the PS pump while checking the fluid level. Naturally I am worried about the first overfilling/short drive episode having caused damage that showed up three weeks later. Any suggestions???

 

[JFaughn]

I would first look at your power asist, being that both your steering and brakes are at a loss, I notice when working on cars and trucks and manualy turning the wheels, engine not running more to the point pump not pumping,the turning of the wheels acts like a pump and pushes the fluid out the filler hole, even with the cap on , so if you lost your assist or some its possable your blowing out fluid , low fluid , noise,air bubles,little or no power.

 

[R-N-R]

John, thank you for your fast response! Is there anything to actually check on the power assist, or were you referring to swapping it out?



I took it out at lunch today, pushing 40* outside, drove around until the the motor was warmed up and this is definately a full time problem. The noise is more of a groan than a growl, and I can feel a slight vibration in the steering wheel and brake pedal. The groan and vibration is definately worse at full steering wheel lock. I noticed that one of the lines from the brake booster attaches to the the side of the PS pump via a rubber "sleeve" and ends in the back of the pump. The other day the portion of hose coming out the rear of the rubber piece was clean, so I pushed it back in. Today I noticed that the tube coming out of both the front and rear of the rubber piece were clean and shiny. Is this just sliding back and forth? I think I would have noticed this before.

 

[Diesel Dick]

I just installed a new power steering box from PSC. I asked if there was a better fluid to use in the new box. I was told not to use the synthetic type but to use the regular fluid used by Dodge. I guess the synthetic fluids don't work well in our Dodges. Try taking the new fluid out and putting in some Dodge recomended fluid.

 

[R-N-R]

Hhhmmm, perhaps I shouldn't post in the "Other" forum for a while :-laf :-laf



This is the first I've heard of synthetic not being good with our trucks. There are many threads here recommending the fluid swap to decrease the low outdoor temp growl. I don't recall any of them recommending to overfill the pump though.



Where is PSC?

 

[JFaughn]

John here again , on my sugestions , they are a guess becouse of not seeing any of these CDTs in my shop , I'm not sure how your yr. & mod. is plumped, yours being a 02 and mine a 94 I don't want to assoom there the same and now that I think about it I think your power asst is the P. S. and goes to the brakes,I have seen some posts say that they have had problums with the return hose on the back of P. S. res. sucking air and making foam. as to replacing stuff I try to never replace anything without testing to make sure a part is bad, sometimes even the shop manuals will say replace with known good part and continue testing but usally thats electrical parts.

 

[rkressg]

This might be a dumb question, but did you run the wheels from stop to stop a couple of times to get any air out of the system (and check the fluid level)? Any air in the system could possibly cause a break problem with the hydraulic brake booster.



-Rich

 

[R-N-R]

This might be a dumb question, but did you run the wheels from stop to stop a couple of times to get any air out of the system (and check the fluid level)? Any air in the system could possibly cause a break problem with the hydraulic brake booster.

But is was the right question! After wading though more of the archives yesterday morning, I took the truck for a short drive and rechecked the fluid. It was low so I added more synthetic. The wheels turned a bit easier, so I turned them from lock to lock several times with the PS pump cap off. When I checked the fluid again, the dipstick came back dry! I refilled and now everything is working great.



Whew! I thought I might have to start looking for a hot rod power steering pump :-laf