Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) power steering/brakes, HELP

[DWalts02]

I had posted this yesterday in the 911 column. Today I filled the power steering reservoir up and started the truck. I had a little pit of power boost to both the power steering and the brakes but there was very little of it. There was also a humming noise coming from the pump area. Then when I shut the truck down the fluid was spilling out of the top of the resevoir and was very foamy. I am almost positive the I did not overfill it so I am stumped on what I should do. I am thinking about taking it to the dealership and just hoping for the best. Please I need some help.





2000 QC 2500 111,000 miles on it. No other major problems.

 

[csutton7]

fluid spilling out after truck is turned off---to much fluid or something is toast----little power assist---turn it back on and see what happens--do you have power assist or not--if you have some then maybe the vacuum pump is ok and it's just a bad power steering pump---the two are removed together and then you can separate them on the bench---the vacuum pump drives the power steering pump and sometimes when the power steering pump goes it takes the vacuum pump with it---the vacuum pump is not cheap--you can probably get a power steering pump at a parts store cheaper that the dealer, but take your's with you and make sure it matches up--there's a drive dog on the pump shaft that goes into the vacuum pump---I don't think it can be removed(I couldn't remove mine) and putting a new drive dog on is a whole lot tuffer than it looks, so make sure it comes on the shaft--if not the dealer will sell you one for about $90 and then you need to put it on--good luck---chris

 

[Mundgyver]

The vacuum pump can be rebuilt for about $24. With fluid coming out of the reservoir and being foamy and very little braking power, your nitrogen reservoir might have bit the dust. The power steering pump provides the pressure to re-compress the nitrogen reservoir during the braking cycle if I am not mistaken. If the nitrogen reservoir bites the big one and breaks on the piston side, the nitrogen has to go somewhere, and that somewhere is into the power steering system. If I am wrong, someone will correct me, but that would be my starting point for trouble shooting. Is the nitrogen reservoir OK



Good luck.

 

[DWalts02]

Thanks for the help guys, I am going to check it out tomorrow.

 

[David_VT]

rebuilt vac pump for $24 ... where?

Mundgyver

Tell me more about that rebuild.

I have a good vacuum pump with no output drive due to a seized ps pump.



I had to replace the pump ($1040) from a spare cummins and would love to put the pump back on the spare engine for just $24... ??



I've had the foam when my level was too low. I had to let it set for a half hour and then top off the tank properly... .

 

[Mundgyver]

David_VT,



I responded to your PM. -Wally-