2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Power Steering Issue

[JGamble]

Ladies and Gents of TDR,



Finally got the gumpture to take the truck out mudding last night for the first time..... now I remember why I dont like to go off road unless needed. Long story short, after about 2 hours of offroading, I got back on the road, only to discover at the first asphalt turn, I had to put my rear end into turning the truck. This was at low speed. I stopped the truck, got out to see if there was fluid leaking, there wasnt. So then I get back into the truck, drive to where I was going. At high speed, the truck steers a little less then normal... . anything under 10mph, I need to fight to get the steer tires to turn even 1/2 way. Had to do a 14 pt turn just to get into a parking spot... lol. #@$%! Let the truck sit overnight, and when I got into her this morning, it worked like nothing had gone wrong... . for about a mile. Then it started again... . any ideas as to what I might have did to the truck and how to fix it?



Thanks All,

John

 

[CumminsPower98]

Maybe the drive tangs have broken off of either the p/s pump or the vacuum pump side. Not sure why it would work a little bit though unless something in there caught just right for a bit. Just a guess, not sure what else might cause this. You sure its full of fluid and no leaks anywhere? Maybe the nitrogen boost canister leaked a bunch of bubbles into the fluid? I don't know.

 

[MFrenchek]

You might have an internal collapse of the power steering hose. When cold, the rubber is still stiff and will permit the high pressure oil to flow, but when it warms up, it becomes more pliable and can collapse internally. It looks OK out side, but it is the inner liner having the problem. I had this happen on an old Imperial of mine. A new hose fixed it up. Mine was on the pressure side, but the same can happen on the suction side. I can tell you that you're under pressure when there ain't no pressure. Those beasts are tough to turn!

 

[JGamble]

***UPDATE****



Well last night and today, the truck now won't turn unless the RPMS are at 2000 or higher..... Now I AM lost. Guess I might need to go to AAMCO and have this thing looked at. Fluid is full and belts are tight. Where exactly do I find the P/S pump? Maybe I can look for this thing and see if I have a hose... . or just pay the man and have it fixed on their time... oh well... Thanks for everything y'all

 

[kenny61]

Drivers side of the engine about midway up just behind the timing case just follow the hoses from the steering gear box

 

[WilsonF]

Try this post. It worked for a friend of mine.
https://www.turbodieselregister.com...7-possible-low-power-steering-assist-fix.html
Good luck
Floyd

 

[DieselDoghouse]

Possibly did you aerate the fluid in your off-road romp?? that could account for poor pump performance??

 

[JGamble]

***UPDATE******

took a looksee today and saw the splined side going to the steering pitman arm had a little fluid (barely any) dripping off the spline..... so I am wondering if ruined the seal there. If not, still going with a collapsed hose. Going to AAMCO tomorrow (the guys in my town are AWESOME) and maybe get some answers... . too much rain to lay in the mud and find out about this... . will keep informed. Thanks guys



Regards,

John

 

[JGamble]

Well final update,



Nobody in town has a immediate opening so I took it to the local dealer. Now comes the insult to injury. Turns out they said I need a new steering pump and a reman'd steering gear box. 2435. 00 #@$%!#@$%!#@$%!#@$%! Its too bad they dont make a smiley face on hear that shows exactly how I'm feeling. I am NEVER EVER going off road again... ... ok, well not till next month... . :-laf But thanks again guys for all the input.



Regards,

John

 

[GAmes]

I replaced both the pump and the gear box on mine with OEM for way less than that. Give Save Big @ Mopar4Less.com!! - Full Line Of Mopar Parts - a call. Be sure to ask for internet parts. Before you buy them you really ought to try the power steering fix link that was posted. My original pump lasted well over 400k because of that post.

 

[kenny61]

I don't know hoew tehy could tell the sterring box went if the pump was no good or vice bersa... get a 2nd opinion

 

[Joe Mc]

$2435!!!! That's a crime I rebuilt my whole front suspension for less than that: upper & lower tubular control arms, 3rd gen adj track bar, all rod ends, DSS Steering Stabilizer, 2" leveling kit, 4 new yellow/blue Bilsteins and alignment. That's insane I hope this wasn't your only option and if it was I hope it works and lasts for you. Man that stinks!

 

[lpmarkman]

No way... I just replaced the steering box for $250 and I can't imagine the pump would be more than &100.

 

[DFerverda]

I bet the valve in the ps pump is stuck. Take the pressure hose off the back of the pump and take a long thin punch and push it in till you feel it bottom out, then push just a little harder. You should feel a spring push back against the punch. Push in and out 4-5 times, put the hose back on and put about a pint of ps fluid back in and start the truck.
Look at the link Wilson gave you in post#6.
On post 4 of that link is a picture. The valve i mentioned you will be pushing against is on the right side of the picture. When mine stuck, you could not turn the truck under 2 thousand rpm and the brakes didn't work worth a crap.

////Edit, I replaced my steering box (3 turn pss) new hydroboost, and new ps pump, put a seal kit in vacuum pump and didn't have 8-9 hundred in parts total.
Dirk