2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission power steering leak

[ebezdek]

Observed a leak under the beast. Power steering it seems. Its late and dark so I will look in the am. Are these pumps prone to failure or seals failing.

This is on the back of my fuel pump, right ?



2001 2500, 6spd ,4x4, suspension upgrades, 4" exhaust, new air filter kit and a lovely lady sitting on the passenger side.

Eddie New Truck

 

[SHobbs]

The power steering pump is piggy backed to the vacuum pump. The vacuum pump is connected to the front of the engine and the ps steering pump is on the rear of it. You can find both below the VP44 injection pump. Look just below the pump you will see a cap with a yellow center, or at least mine is that way. One place that is prone to leaking is where the ps steering pump is attached to the vacuum pump. Once you locate the ps steering pump crawl under the truck and look up toward it. You will see where both pumps are connected together and if they are leaking you will see oil dripping from the connection. You can get new seals from Genos Garage.

 

[ebezdek]

my power steering

Thank you SHobbs, I will check it out in the morning. Thankfully I have some spare time.

You are right about the vacumn pump, I mis-spoke earlier. Over the years I have had to add fluid to the power steering... normal wear and tear ?

Is the power steering pump a Cummins product or a Dodge product ?

I have seen all the add ons fail, but not the engine or the geartrain.

Where does Cummins stop and Dodge start.

My experience is that Cummins is dependable and Dodge is not.

Again, Thank you

Eddie New Truck

 

[SHobbs]

Far as I know I don't think there are alot of places the pump can leak from with the exception of the hoses, fill cap or maybe the shaft that fits into the vacuum pump. The seal around that shaft could be worn and leaking. If you are adding fluid every so often and there is no visible leak where the hoses attach then I would think the pump shaft may be leaking. Not sure if that seal can be replaced or not never attempted it before. The pump it is not a Cummins part and can be found almost everywhere.



If you take the pump out you are better off to remove the vacumm and power steering pumps together. It is easier to get the two pumps back together correctly when they are not under the hood. The power steering pumps are like anything else, one may last many years and another may not.



Scott

 

[GAmes]

The pump can also leak where the pump itself is mounted into the reservoir. If you look at the front of the reservoir you will see a circle that is the pump portion. It has an O-ring around it that will fail over time. O'Reilly's and other parts houses sell a rebuild kit for Saginaw pumps that includes the O-ring. If you like to do that sort of thing it is a good fix. My original pump lasted about a half million miles after doing that fix just once. If you do it be sure to clean all the removable parts. https://www.turbodieselregister.com...7-possible-low-power-steering-assist-fix.html