Power steering problem

[Bill Lins]

Woke up this morning to 33 degrees & 2" of snow- very unusual for SE Texas. Truck started fine on the grid heaters but, as I started off, the PS pump growled loudly whenever I moved the steering wheel or touched the brakes. I stopped at the end of the driveway, shut the engine off, & checked the PS fluid, which had foamed up & came out of the pump when I removed the cap. Not wanting to risk burning up the pump, I reparked the truck & drove another vehicle to work. Around 3pm it had warmed up into the low 50s. I checked the pump again & the fluid showed to be at the proper level. I started the truck and drove it around a bit & the steering & brakes worked normally with no complaint from the pump. Any idea why it acted up @ low temps? Does PS fluid get so thick that it won't flow @ low temps?

 

[Bill Lins]

Had to drive this one instead. :-(

 

[fest3er]

Yes, P/S fluid is known to growl at low temps. Even synthetic can growl under 10°F. Mine's been growling at low temps for years. My '88 F150, '87 Formula350, '84 Nissan all growled. For that matter, I don't recall owning a vehicle where the P/S didn't growl at very cold temps. The colder it gets, the louder they growl. (Come to think of it, the vehicles were probably just as unhappy about operating in those temps as I usually was.)

Now, that all said, 33°F *is* a little warm for it to growl. Jack up the front end, fire the engine, and turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock a few times, both slowly and quickly; this might work trapped air out of the fluid. Then check the P/S fluid level; it might be a little low.

 

[Bill Lins]

Thanks- I'll give it a try.

 

[GAmes]

When is the last time you flushed and replaced the fluid? A messy job that pays huge dividends. I use Redline synthetic, and even in -14 temps I don't recall any growling. Sat morning it was 30 in LaGrange when I cranked it up. No unusual noises.

 

[mwilson]

Bill, that's nowhere near cold enough for howls and growls....Below 0 at least before you should hear noises like that...-20 or lower and it's a real symphony of strange sounds when you start them up...

Send it up here with me for a month, I'll find and fix those weak spots....

The last time my '97 was doing that it was a bit low on fluid. The fluid change suggestion above is probably the best bet, maybe the fluid has broken down.......

 

[mwilson]

Or it was the first time the truck had ever seen snow and it panicked????

 

[Bill Lins]

When is the last time you flushed and replaced the fluid? A messy job that pays huge dividends.

It's been about 8-10 years- I did that when I replaced the vacuum pump seal. Apparently I'm losing fluid somewhere- just gotta find out where.

 

[Bill Lins]

Or it was the first time the truck had ever seen snow and it panicked????

Could be! :-laf

 

[Bill Lins]

Send it up here with me for a month, I'll find and fix those weak spots....

If I didn't need it for work, I'd take you up on that!

 

[GAmes]

If it is burping fluid out when you shut it off I would suspect the hydroboost if you have it.

 

[MMcCallie]

When ambient temps are down to around 40 degrees F. and lower my power steering fluid pukes out the cap. My system will growl louder with RPMs even before it pukes it out. No foam, just fluid. I've been running GM cold weather power steering fluid for over a decade to decrease the problem. Lots of shops have looked it over. Every other fluid I've tried pukes out more easily. Valvoline synthetic was second best. I've been told the big tires and additional weight make it an ongoing issue.

 

[Bill Lins]

I have hydroboost but the fluid didn't "burp" out, it just foamed up. When I have a spare moment, I'll go through & make sure all the fittings are tight & see if there are any obvious leaks. It's not "marking its territory" so the leak isn't that bad.

I didn't know there was a "cold weather" PS fluid- I might give that a try also.

 

[GAmes]

I'm assuming that a flush is in the future. Before you start I suggest you remove the pressure regulator, disassemble and clean. An oldy but a goody. Back then, in post #26 I referenced growling, so it might fix two problems. https://www.turbodieselregister.com...assist-fix/page6?highlight=low+power+steering

 

[jw3500Ram]

My truck has been doing that every year for as long as I have owned it (16 years). The first cold day every year I have to add a little fluid and I am good for all winter season. I use the Lucas power steering fluid. It may be the fluid reacting to the cold weather. I don’t have any leaks, flushed it a few times and everything works as normal after I top off the fluid.

 

[GAmes]

I found the pictures of the pressure regulator that go with the link.

View attachment Power steering parts 2.bmp

View attachment power steering parts 3.bmp

 

[Bluebird]

How do you flush the CTD 1st Gen. power steering system. No hydro boost. How do I know what type of fluid is in there now. See my signature for rig details.
Thank you to all replies/resources.
Happy Holiday Season . Patrick in San Bernardino, southern California.

 

[GAmes]

How do you flush the CTD 1st Gen. power steering system. No hydro boost. How do I know what type of fluid is in there now. See my signature for rig details.
Thank you to all replies/resources.
Happy Holiday Season . Patrick in San Bernardino, southern California.

More than likely it has regular power steering fluid. It should be in your owners manual or your factory service manual.

There are two ways to flush it. Sucking the fluid out of the reservoir, refilling, starting the engine to suck the new stuff into the system, then repeat about 6 or seven times. (turkey baster method). Or you can disconnect the return line to the reservoir (cap the fitting) and route the fluid to a bucket with the engine running while someone pours new fluid into the reservoir. Plan 4-6 qts. The return line is held on with a small clamp, the pressure line has a fitting. Either way, the job isn't finished until you remove the flow piston and clean it.