2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Power steering not working low RPM.

[KKunz]

I have a 2000 3500 6 speed. Truck seems to have desent power steering when driving or RPM's are up but when I slow to turn on a street or driveway I usually have to push the clutch in and rev the engine to get enough RPM so that I can turn. The PS fluid is good and it's not low. About a year ago the hydroboost was replaced with a rebuilt on from NAPA. IM guessing a new PS pump might be my next try but I really don't know. I get a noise when pressing on the brakes so I wander if it could be the hydroboost is no good. Correct me if I'm wrong but there is only 3 mechanical items that could be bad.
1) PS pump
2) steering gear box
3) hydroboost
Now I realize there could be other things like leaks or PS fluid level. Not saying I'm going to do it but wat is the proper break in or bleeding procedure if I decided to replace the PS pump, steering gear and hydroboost all at once. If the whole steering system was dry with no fluid after replacing all 3 parts how do you go about priming and bleeding it to not cause any damage to the new parts.
Is there any way to test to see if my hydroboost is still good? Any test for steering gear box or PS pump.

 

[fest3er]

Jack up the front end, turn the wheel lock-to-lock a few times. Fire it up and keep turning the wheel lock-to-lock. Not too fast, not too slow.

But even then you might not get all the air out; it might take a week or two for the last bubbles to wiggle out.

Then again, maybe not. The first time I had my steering gear replaced, the last of the air took a while to escape. The next time, I did it myself in my driveway. And had no troubles at all. But mayhap I didn't drain all the fluid out.

 

[DavidC]

When I had symptoms like yours I was in cold country ( Vermont). I replaced the power steering fluid with synthetic and did not have anymore problems. I replaced it a little at a time using a Turkey baster.

Dave

 

[MLee]

Have you cleaned the screen in the pump? There was a discussion a while back on this and how to do it. All who done it said it made a world of difference.

 

[GAmes]

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...ering-assist-fix?highlight=low power steering

Way back, maybe issue 50, Joe Donnelly explained how to flush the system without disconnecting a hose using a turkey baster.

Starting the engine to remove air after you replace a component could damage something. All that is required is to lift the front tires off the ground, then do the lock to lock thing 10-20 times, refilling the reservoir as needed.

 

[ed9824v]

When I had symptoms like yours I was in cold country ( Vermont). I replaced the power steering fluid with synthetic and did not have anymore problems. I replaced it a little at a time using a Turkey baster.

Dave

that has helped me a lot.

 

[Bob4x4]

There is a pressure flow test that can isolate your issue. DIY method to bleed is to cycle l to right Ellie tires are off the ground. I use a vacuum pump to bleed air out.

 

[KKunz]

this problem has been going on for probably several months. It's one of my truck but one of my employees drives it. About a year ago it was hot a puking PS fluid out of the fill plug. I pay for the parts but the drivers Do the maitance. The driver replaced the PS pump and all was good as far as I knew. Last week I used the truck to move a trailer and realized the steering and brakes were terrible. Making a noise when the breaks were pushed and no power steering unless I would push the clutch in and rev the RPMs to get any power steering. Driver said its been doing that ever since he replaced the PS pump. It's not low or over filled on PS fluid. My thoughts are that it was not done right. The truck is pretty loose in the steering so I'm going to replace the steering box trackbar and TRE and anything else that is worn or loose. Truck has almost 200k and I've owend it since new. What I'm wanting to do is replace the steering box and since the PS is not that expensive im going to do that again. I'm going to do the work over the holiday and have all the parts sitting in the shop. Im debating if I should or need to replace the hydraboost but would like to know if Theres a way to test the hydroboost? How do I know if the hydroboost is good? So after replacing the steering box and PS pump all I need to do to bleed it is just fill with fluid and cycle the steering with wheels off the ground?

 

[GAmes]

Just like the fan clutch, parts house PS pumps will let you down. I replaced five of them in one year and finally bit the bullet and bought one from Dodge. It has been on the truck for over 300k miles without a hick-up. Saginaw pumps have been around for decades, there is one on my '67 Chev. As a result, there isn't any way to determine which pressure fitting components are installed in a rebuild, or how close to maximum tolerance the bearings are in when it is put on the shelf. There are several pages about the hydroboost in the FSM, including a diagnostics chart. It is self bleeding, in other words, it bleeds while you are doing the other components. Yes, to bleed the system only requires taking the front tires off the ground and 20-30 lock to lock revolutions of the steering wheel. I just replaced my steering box and learned the hard way to reinstall the filler cap prior to turning the wheel, the steering fluid will puke out. I use Red Line synthetic PS fluid. ATF is the wrong fluid, BTW.

 

[Slow Six]

A steering box stabilizer will help too.

 

[The patriot]

When I had symptoms like yours I was in cold country ( Vermont). I replaced the power steering fluid with synthetic and did not have anymore problems. I replaced it a little at a time using a Turkey baster.

Dave

I do this annually. There is also a mod IIRC that involves drilling the hole in the pump by the screen to the next size larger. I did mine when I replaced my steering box. It's been several years, I dont remember the specifics....