Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Power Steering/Hydra-Booste Noise

[BHerndon]

Hi:: In very cold weather, my truck has started to make a bad growling noise/ The steering don't seem to work exactly right and the brakes feel differant. It is a 99 1 ton duelly with the diesel engine. It only does this in very cold weather. It did not do it when we bought it new. Does anyone know what I can do to fix the problem? If so, please get back with me.



Many Thanks:: Barry

 

[DEdwards]

Do a search on power steering pumps. There is a screen that is in the pump that gets clogged. Clean it out, chenge the fluid and you are good to go.

 

[bromano676]

Ever since my truck was new, the pump made the same whine when it was real cold. drive for a few minutes warm it up, good to go.



this year when it got cold, it started it again. Thought nothing of it, until I went away for christmas. after 2 and a half hours, it still made the whine at idle.



oh no, must be a bad pump, hope I can make it home after the weekend.



guess what my wife asked me if it could be short on fluid? Oh no, I told her, I've never seen just short on fluid fix a PS problem. And it has only done it since it's cold out, It needs a new pump. but I will check it anyway.



sure enough bone dry. filled it up, haven't had to add any in 2 weeks, and 600 miles.



I know I have to figure out where the leak is when it warms up.

 

[Big John]

My '96 and '99 have both done thisat intervals of evry three years or so. I have never had to clean the screen. I just suck all the fluid I can out of the housing, add new fluid and run for a while to mix. I then suck all I can out again and add new to the full mark. Has worked every time so far.

 

[BHerndon]

Thanks for all the replies. I have changed the fluid as best I could and so far the noise is gone and the steering seems to work easier now. I quess the fluid just gets old and thickins up when very cold.

Thanks Again::Barry

 

[BigPapa]

Was it low on fluid?



I'm with Bro Man, mine made "the growl" one very cold morning. Checked the fluid and it was bone dry. Evidently in my engine swap I did not check the PS fluid before driving. Added fluid to proper level and it has been fine since, @ 5K miles.

 

[Fireman Dave]

Switching over to synthetic PS fluid makes a big difference.