Power steering prob 91 4X4

[EZGZ]

Been gone for a long time my friends.

I had this weird electrical problem where my brake lights and turn sigs were acting up and I refused to pay someone else to fix it. So since I have several other things to drive I just let it sit and waited till I was in the mood.

Turned out it was a broken trailer connector shorting out.



Anyway, now that winter is here again I wanted to drive the truck and get that old summer fuel out etc. Nice to have 4X4 in the winter just in case.



So I jumps in and the trusty sled fires right up and off I go down the road. I notice the steering a bit twitchy and make a mental note to check the tire pressure.



On my way back from the toy store I get a couple more good jerks on the steering wheel and the nightmare starts creeping back into my memory.



About 4 years ago my steering pump started sticking and jerking so bad I had to get help or park the darn thing. I took it to a shop and they wanted $600 for a rebuilt unit. Plus install. "NO WAY" So I called a buddy and we decided to just get a battery filler sqeeze bulb and suck out everything I could from the resavoir and put in some conditioner. " It worked " It never ran dry and worked great untill now when I want to start using it again.



Same symptoms but not as bad. She was only a tad low and still showing on the stick. So I goes to the local Auto Zone and a couple others to look for this high dollar steering pump conditioner and all I see is leak fixer and standard stuff.



I ended up getting the Valvoline semi synthetic fluid/conditioner/leak magic.

Sounded like a lot of contradiction to me... ... .



So I suck out the old and dump in the new. Drive it for a while and do some extra turns. Suck as much of that out as I can and add some more. I figure I have replaced about 1/2 quart in this mannor.



As I recall it took sometime for things to loosen up the last time.



I thought I would drop this post and see what you guys think. We all know that if this thing takes a dump it will be when I need it most. So would just as soon be proactive if our poll so dictates.



Like I say it isn't a leak problem just a sticking valve and it cleared up ounce before. It's just that the truck has sat for 6 months. I wonder if anyone else has had similar problems or good results or if there is some other liquid magic to try. I really don't want to tear it apart unless I have to.



Thanks in advance for your input or experience.

 

[MFalkinham]

There was a thread on this within the past year if I remember correctly. Several of us had symptoms of "twitchy" power steering. Mine happened after I started replacing the old fluid with new using the turkey baster method (actually, I used a fluid suction gun which worked even better). There is some little port inside of the pump that can get plugged with debris and cause these symptoms. I suspect that the new Valvoline SynPower PS fluid loosened up some debris, which temporarily caused twitching problems. I just continued replacing the fluid until the final color was light, and the problem hasn't been back since.



- Mike

 

[EZGZ]

Hey thanks, thats what I was hoping for. I wish I could remember the name of that conditioner we used the last time. I seem to remember a yellow 8oz can. It was almost a $20 bill and worth it. My mechanic friend said he sometimes changed it out but it would be ok to just leave it in there. Made it four years..... I need to drive this thing more. With the 5 speed getrag and 4:11 gears it is like driving a cement truck.

She really shines pulling my trailer in the Rocky Mountains though.

Life seems to be mostly trade offs huh?



Any other comments are sure welcome..... Any bleed ports or something else I can do to help it?

 

[MFalkinham]

I'm not sure what conditioner you used before, but as soon as I can find it I'm going to add some LubeGard Power Steering additive to my truck. Napa carries the LubeGard line, although my local store didn't have this particular item when I looked. I believe it comes in a blue bottle, and yes it is expensive, but very good stuff! The Valvoline SynPower PS fluid is very good stuff as well, but the LubeGard should help with cold weather operation and noise.



- Mike

 

[WashingtonFLHTRider]

Lube Gard Power Steering fluid is a gold bottle, the Lube Gard Power Steering Protectaint is a Blue bottle, and the flush is a white jug. Lube Gard make some fantastic products.

 

[TKingsbury]

My truck has a small issue as well. When I first start it after sitting, it has no power assist to the right. Once I start to roll and saw on the wheel, it will work from there on out. The colder it is when I start, the worse the problem. I figure it is a valve in the box since it is a directional problem. I haven't had a serious problem yet, so I will most likely live with it until I get some other things taken care of first.

Travis. .

 

[AlK]

Back in 1998 I had the stearing box replaced and the shop that did the replacement used automatic transmission fluid (Type F). When I asked why not power steering fluid the mechanic said that they will only issue a guarantee (I got two years) if the auto transmission fluid (Type F) is used. I have had absolutely no problems with the power steering on my truck.

 

[CBottomley]

Powersteering Filter

Anyone Thought Of Installing A Powersteering Filter? Anyone Done This? I Just Research One For My 1991 Truck. This Is A Add On By Napa. I Found It On There Web Sight. Part No. Is Nsp20flt1 Now Get This It's Only Less Than 3 Dollars. Take Care All.





1991 250 Cummins Diesel Dodge Truck Le 3/4 Ton. Early Year. Non-intercooled. A/c, Rebuilt Torque Converter By Hughes Performance. Graves Pro Shop (san Antonio) Tx Rebuilt Heavy-duty 727 Torque Flite 3-speed Automatic For Towing With A Brand New Gear Vendor. Wow! 3. 07 Diff. Rancho Adjustable Rear, Bilstein Front, K&n Filter, Aux-combo Toolbox With 40 Diesel Gallon Tank. This Truck Has A Grand Total Of 85,000 Miles.

 

[Paychk]

A better one is the big brother to the one you list, it is more like a fuel filter. It is 2. 25" X 5" in size and is magnetic, the # for it is 20FLT-2. Napa doesn't list it but www.rockauto.com does, $ 24. 79 + shipping.