Power Steering Maint.

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My friend has a 97 2500 4x4 that is having problems with the power steering being hard and when it does this stiff stter thing, the brakes dont work, has almost hit a tree backing out of his garage twice, had to put it in drive to stop it??

Is ther a schedule for changing the power steering fluid? It seems to be a non discussed item. ??




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95-2500-ExtCab-LB-4x4-Auto-AMSoil Air Filter, Bypass Oil Filter by others, AMSOIL and Mobil Synthetics, TST 255HP and TransGO Shift kit .

 

[Archive]

Hi Randy,
I know what you mean about the hard steering. I have a '96 3500, 2wd, ext cab that almost feels like non-power steering. It doesn't really bother me, in fact I kind of like it. If you,ve ever driven a vehicle with rack and pinion steering, it kinda feels like that. I've never had trouble with the brakes not working, though. It almost sounds like something is being pinched and not letting fluid through. Just my 2cents. Hope it's nothing serious and easy to fix. Good luck.

Wayne

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'96 3500, 2wd, ext cab, auto, slt laramie pkg, no mods, all black

 

[Archive]

The power steering pump and the vacuum pump that provides vacuum to the brake booster are both driven off of the same gear on your engine. I have never seen a problem with that unit but perhaps the gear is slipping on the shaft or something is loose. It's the first thing I would inspect and the only common link between steering and brakes.

 

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I think in 97 they changed to hydraulic assist brakes instead of vacuum. The power steering pump provides the pressure. There is also a little accumulator that is suppost to maintain some pressure for one or two stops.
You might chect that or you might be low on fluid

Don #ad


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The Shadow" 1999 Dodge Ram SLT 2500 QC 5spd 3. 55lsd, Short Bed, Sport, Black, Camel/Tan Interior, Trailer tow package, Camper package, Infinity sound.

Elba Twp, Michigan

 

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Don is right, that's why Wayne says he hasn't had a brake problem like Randy's describing. Before '97, the trucks had vacuum brakes, from '97-up, hydraulic using the power steering pump. So if a '97+ is having power steering problems, the brakes could be affected.
I owned a '96 and I presently own a '97. I could tell an improvement in the braking the first time I drove the '97. I've experienced no P/S or brake problems.
Andy


[This message has been edited by Andy Perreault (edited 12-09-1999). ]

 

[Archive]

Andy & Don,

Why then would my steering be stiff? Is it just characteristic to a long wheel base coupled with the extra weight of the diesel engine? As I mentioned earlier, I really kind of like it, but if it isn't supposed to be that way, I need to get it fixed.

Wayne
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'96 3500 ext cab, 2wd, auto,slt laramie, stock, all black

 

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Randy,

I have noticed this problem with my '96 4x4 as well. The stiff steering and lack of vacuum assist to the breaks seams to occur more in the cold weather with my truck (lower rpms when it is started) I was curious so I tapped into the vacuum line and installed a vacuum guage. The vacuum reading is extremely slow to build (and I have no power steering assist during this time. If I increase my idle speed to about 900 rpm the vacuum comes up to normal and the power steering begins to work. If I let the rpms return to normal (+/-) 500 rpm in the cold, the vacuum remains constant even with multiple applications of the brake pedal and the power steering does not quit working. Just my input... Mine has done this since it was new. As far as I can tell, it is all a factor of the rpm.

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1996 Black 4x4 2500 SLT Laramie CC, Auto, 4. 10, Ranch Hand Double 3" Pipe Front Bumper, Ranch Hand Rear Bumper,
K&N Filter, Boost & Trans Temp Gauges, Trimble 10x GPS, Silencer Ring removed.

 

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Don't know, Don, sorry I can't be of more help. My truck ('97 2500 4x4 with 285 tires) steers without any effort, even when not moving.
Andy

 

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Andy, Don
I have a 99 4x4 qc with all symptoms of the tsb on steering, the dealer has made all changes and done every thing we can think of, no help now I am looking for help? any answers?
thanks
don

 

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My friend just had his truck in the Dodge Repair shop today, they replaced a rear wheel bearing they had replaced about 5 months ago again. (Free this time) and the Shop Service Mgr. remembered ( or experienced ) the brake and power steering problem.
He suggested a fix to my friend, a new type of "POWER Steering fluid", said they have been experiencing this problem with the fluid that is stock.
Now how do you get all the fluid out and the new stuff in???? the Manual doesnt have this info, or i cant find it??

Thanks for the help guys, This site is neat.



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95-2500-ExtCab-LB-4x4-Auto-AMSoil Air Filter, Bypass Oil Filter by others, AMSOIL and Mobil Synthetics, TST 255HP and TransGO Shift kit .

 

[Archive]

Stiff steering is not as bad as it sounds. If anyone has ever driven a Dodge/Plymouth muscle car that had power steering can relate to a firm feel wheel. The muscle cars had ALL POWER steering and NO ROAD FEEL.

Any Mopar Muscle Car owners agree? #ad


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1994 Dodge Ram SLT Cummins 5 speed 4x4,3. 54 gears, Scotty Air System,PIAA Platnum Super Whites,Optima red top batteries, manual trans filter,Turbo&Exhaust blanket,Magnaguard rear diff cover,Edelbrock IAS shocks,muffler removed,Borgeson steering shaft,Trailmaster steering stabilizers,Rancho upper & lower links,Polyurethane sway bar bushings,Skyjacker 2" leveling springs(front),Fabritech Stage II Traction Bars,Denman Coyote A/P LT305/85R16(36" Tall) tires on Stock Dodge Chrome 16x6. 5 wheels,Bushwacker Street Flares,Back-off saftey brake light,Bugflector II bug shield, Royal Purple ,Amsoil& Red line lubes throughout.

1970 Plymouth Cuda (under construction)
1968 Hurst HEMI® Dart , Nah its just a screen name ;-)

 

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Don't know about the "muscle" cars, but the police package cars were that way- at least until the second or third hard turn during a chase. Then the power would disappear from the steering- real exciting until you learned to anticipate it!

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Bill Lins Wharton, TX
98 2500 QC 12v NV4500 3. 54 LSD Manik grill guard Reading aluminum utility body & rear bumper
PHI RAMMA JAMMA