Power Steering Problem?

[Patriot_RAM]

Hey guys,



I have a couple of mods that could affect the amount of power steering power and I have a question regarding my truck. I have 315/70/17 tires and a 220lb Road Armor bumper hanging off the front of the truck. I'm assuming I'm still under the axle weight rating, right?



My problem is that the power steering while doing parking lot maneuvers is poor. If the truck is stopped, often times I cannot even steer the truck until it begins moving again.



I wouldn't think these mods would have THAT much of an affect on the steering. Back a few thousand miles ago the dealer performed the power steering hose TSB and replaced the upper line. It blew an o-ring and was run with low/no power steering fluid for about 15 minutes or so.



Not knowing much about the hydraulics, what do you think the culprit would be? The mods, or that the dealer mis-assembled the line causing it to run out of fluid? I'm taking it in to the dealer in a week to get this and a couple of other things checked out since I'm at 35,634 on the odometer.



I've talked to a couple of people that seem to have differing opinions on this.



Thanks!

 

[DPKetchum]

My guess would be a binding steering box. Some have posted this. Try putting stock size tires and wheels on the front and see if it still occurs.

 

[Patriot_RAM]

Seems like I sold those a while back. :|

 

[Patriot_RAM]

I talked to the dealer yesterday. I took the service manager out in my truck. Sitting in the parking lot I showed him that it wouldn't steer sitting still. He said "You know that adding the oversize tires can void your steering and suspension warranty dont you?" I just gave him this look. I've been very straightforward with my power upgrades, etc.



He continued on that if the power steering pump had any problem at all it would be making a whining noise. Now -- remember I ran it dry due to a line they installed incorrectly several thousand miles ago. I don't know anything about these pumps, but with similar type of equipment I've worked with, it seems to me that the pump COULD be weak (putting out 1400psi instead of 1600psi) and not make whining sounds. I finally convinced him to check the pressure. They're going to do that for me next Wednesday. Odometer sitting on 35,791.



What do the rest of you think about the "whining noise" claim he made? Valid, or dealer bs?

 

[Kry226]

My truck had the poor steering in parking lots stock and brand new. The only solution I've noticed is to get the rpms up a little to get some decent pressure built in the system.

 

[Prairie Dog]

The whining thing isn't true. I once rebuilt a pump myself and installed the impeller backwards by mistake. It overheated (blued impeller) and worn but when I put it back together properly it made no noise at all - just chattered when I put it under a load.

 

[DPKetchum]

Powersteering pumps don't have to make noise to be bad or putting out poor pressure. But I bet its not the pump(could be wrong)I bet its the steering box.

 

[PGoble]

Power Steering Issues

PATRIOT_Ram,



I've got 25k on the clock, and have had the exact same problems with the truck sitting still that you describe. It feels like there is no power assist sometimes when the truck isn't moving. It does it with my stock tires, my 315/70R17 winter tires, as well as the 325/65R18 summer tires, so I don't think it is an issue of oversize tires being the culprit. As soon as the truck starts rolling, everything is fine. I've tried revving up the engine rpm to see if that helps, and it hasn't. The odd thing is that it doesn't do it 100% of the time, maybe 50%. I've had it checked out, and everything checks out normal. Any ideas would be appreciated.



Peter

 

[Patriot_RAM]

DPKetchum -- can you expand on why you think it might be the steering box? I want to get this checked and documented since my warranty will be out the same day the appointment is.



PGoble -- Thanks for the info on having the issue with the stock tires as well. I sold mine so I have no way to check that. Increasing the engine rpm doesn't help at all when sitting still and like you, it doesn't happen 100% of the time.



I'm not looking forward to this appointment!

 

[DPKetchum]

Thats were the valving is for left to right etc. The pump puts out a fairly constant pressure. It does epp up and down in pressure bit the steering box is what controls movement. Thats what also has the ability to hang or bind. I've just seen more issues over the years with complaints like this that were steering sector releated then a pump issue. The oversize tires do take a toll on the sector also. Not really the pump.

 

[JCleary]

With my 285 BFG's, my truck wouldn't turn very well if the tires were inflated at less than 50 PSI. It seems they really have a lot of dry weather traction.



I now have 35x12. 5 Toyos, and steering is not a problem at all, even with tire pressures as low as 42.



My guess: I think the BFG's have too much traction for the steering box to overcome, and the Toyos fewer edges to bite the pavement plus harder rubber making the truck steer easier at a standstill.



I also think if you have wheels that stick out (anything other than Kore Welds, I'm told) the steering box has less of a mechanical advantage because now it has to swing the tire in an arc, instead of pivoting in the center.

 

[sag2]

JCleary is right on. There is nothing wrong with your power steering system. The second gens were worse than the thirds, but they will all do it. The hydroboost does not have enough power to steer the truck when stopped when stepping on the brake. If you let the truck roll slightly it will steer fine. It is made worse by adding larger tires or changing the offset.

 

[DPKetchum]

Thats kinda why I mentioned trying it with the stock tires/wheels on the front. Wonder if any one makes a slightly smaller pully. Anyhow another "poster' somewhere had same problem and he put the stock wheels back on and he still had a problem. But I think his was "binding" turning in one direction.

 

[_Hyde]

Smaller pulley? That is a good idea but are these driven directly off the gearing on the front cover like the 2nd gens were or they drive off the belt? I'll have to go look when I get out here in a bit.



Hyde

 

[DPKetchum]

I think first it needs to be diagnoised if its a sector,pump or just to much tire. Would be nice to mount some stock tires,wheels on it for just a few minutes to see. Then if its a tire/wheel thing I think I'd get in touch with a pro 4x4 shop and ask them what they do in these situations. Might suggest to the dealer to put a stock/tire wheel combo on the front and see. Would be the easiest way to make a quick check.

 

[rbattelle]

Could it be the system needs to be bled? Don't know how you'd bleed a P/S system.



-Ryan

 

[rbattelle]

Just in case it might help, here's the tips from the '03 service manual for "Binding and Sticking":



Possible causes:

-Low fluid level

-Tire pressure

-Steering components (ball joints/tie rod ends)

-Loose belt

-Low pump pressure

-Column shaft coupler binding

-Steering gear worn

-Pump seized / stuck valve



And for "Insufficient Assist or Poor Return to Center":

Possible causes:

-Tire pressure

-Low fluid level

-Loose belt

-Low pump pressure

-Internal gear leak



-Ryan

 

[DPKetchum]

Turning complete lock to lock bleeds the system.