Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Power steering Problem?

[Diesel_5.9L]

Lately I have noticed when sitting still like in a parking lot and getting ready to leave when I turn the wheel I have no P. S at all even really hard and jerky to turn period. Could it have something do do with the vacuum. Oil in pump is not foamy,milky or even low.

 

[CrewCabDiesel]

Had the same problems long time ago, usually when cold, try replacing/ flushing your power steering fluid with Valvoline Synthetic Power Steering Fluid. Makes a real difference in cold pump wine and power steering and power brakes.

 

[BCronk]

mine did the same thing when it was new, I couldn't budge the steering wheel when it was stopped but as soon as I moved the truck and moved the wheel just a little I had power steering again. First they replaced the steering stabilizer then the ps pump then the ps gear. The new ps gear finally fixed it. I think it was the Gear that fixed it anyway, maybe it was the pump, I know they replaced both before they got it right though. Good luck

 

[KKlingbeil]

I have the same trouble. Have put three different pumps on, and now a different gear. none have helped, but i still think its the pump.

 

[Diesel_5.9L]

Thanks for the replys never even considered the gear worth a shot to check out.

 

[hackengineering]

What did your pump cost, i want to try to replace mine and see if that helps. Any thing to watch for when you replace?

 

[RamSport01]

My 01 is doing the same thing. I changed the PS pump, cause it was pretty cheap, didn't help. Took it to the dealer they said that the brake booster was bad. Didn't think this was the problem, but if it solved it, it was worth it, so I bought one and installed it, no luck. I spoke with another member he thought that the gear on the vacuum pump was stripped, so I bought a vacuum pump and installed that, still no luck. I spoke with a guy that said he thinks that the problem is actually the ball joints (they are fine when on a lift, and have never been replaced 155K), but he thinks that when they get a load on them, (weight of the truck on the ground) that it hits a sticky spot that cannot be overcome when at idle on dry pavement. Not sure about that, but I may try it, since the ball joints have some miles on them. I've been leaning towards the steering gear, but I'm hearing that isn't fixing alot of trucks either. I'm kinda at a loss here.

 

[RDBuck]

I could not turn my wheels on my 02 with the truck sitting still. I changed the pump and the box but got little improvement. I then read on a post some time back about adding a shim behind the pressure relief valve. That did the trick, I can now turn the wheel without the truck moving. You can take out the valve without removing the pump. Do a search on this issue.