2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Power Steering Growl on Cold Starts

[HOCummins04]

I am seriously enjoying Cummins HO ownership, and am learning about taking care of it. I recently have had both the Power Steering pump and the Steering Gear replaced under warranty (I bought the truck used out of state and am taking it to my local dealer). This all started back in January with a startup after work in about 20 degree temps. I have had the truck since July of 2002, and have had it startup on colder mornings with no problems noted. Now, after 3 visits to the dealership I still have a growl loud enough to be heard over a cold Cummins. As the steering wheel is moved (sitting still) even just slightly left or right the growl is heard. The last time they bled the power steering lines and then wrote up that they could not reproduce the problem. For a couple days, it was fine - the overnight temps were not as low as they have been. This morning was 20 degrees, and it is still happening - though only about 30-40% (loudness) of what it was starting in January.



Question 1: Though I do not think so (because it operated without the noise/stiffness before January), am I being paranoid and this is just normal operation and I somehow missed it before?



Question 2: If it is not normal, what do I tell the dealership to get them to fix it?



Question 3: I have been reading about replacing the transmission fluid that is used in the power steering system with synthetic power streering fluid. When I asked the dealer why they put AT fluid vs PS fluid, they said the AT fluid had cleaners in it and PS fluid did not and that Dodge had gone with that in this truck. For those who have had cold weather growling in your steering and have gone to a fluid that is non-stock, what have you used and what are your results?



This is my first post, so if I messed up - be gentle

 

[78repowerwagon]

Welcome to the TDR.

Mine growls too on cold starts. I was told by another TDR member to draw out as much fluid from the resouvoir as possible with a suction gun and refill with valvoline Syn ps fluid. I have not tried it, but he did it on both his trucks and they don't growl.

Good luck,

Matt

 

[Big_Daddy_T]

I found the cure for the growl. I turn up the stereo.

 

[Steve Campbell]

Valvoline synthetic is not just a rumor....

it has worked for me and many others on this site.

 

[RichV]

My truck did that too since new. Had to be colder than 20 if I remember correctly. The colder it got the worse it was. I have checked fluid level and was fine. I just assumed that it was normal due to cold.

 

[LandShark]

The Valvoline Synthetic PS fluid worked for me. Suck out as much as you can and run a few minutes while turning steering wheel. Repeat about 3 more times to use the whole quart and you will have replaced most of the old fluid. I no longer have the cold temp. growl.

 

[TowPro]

My 98 started this after it was a couple years old, the Vavoline synethic fixed my problem. (make sure you pick up the full synethic, I think they also make a semi synethic. )



Now my 2002 only has 4000 miles in it and its already doing it. (but I think the 2002 has a different steering box?)

I guess I will switch it over to synethic before next winter. I will wait until I got a couple more miles on it this summer with all the towing I plan on doing.

 

[Adam]

Time for a new dealer

First let me reassure you... the cold-temp growl/whine/howl is normal. You don't have anything to worry about unless you intend to see how fast you can go wheel-lock to opposite lock while standing on the brakes! There IS a way to fix it. You suck out all the fluid in the pump and replace it with synthetic. Do this as many times as it takes to stop the noise. What concerns me more than the pump is your dealer. transmission fluid is significantly different than PS fluid, and is more than likely incompatible with numerous internal components. I'd find another dealer and ask them what happens if you put transmission fluid in the power steering box. Take their response back to the original dealer, make them correct their mistake, and never go back.



-Adam