Here I am

Power Steering Pump died 9-17-05

Attention: TDR Forum Junkies
To the point: Click this link and check out the Front Page News story(ies) where we are tracking the introduction of the 2025 Ram HD trucks.

Thanks, TDR Staff

Magnetic drain plug for an 04

ATS trans and Lockup Commander install

Status
Not open for further replies.
Stopped to grab a bite to eat before going to Wally-World, started up the truck and turned the steering wheel. Vibrated and made a horrible shuddering noise. Got out the truck and had the wife turn the steering wheel so I could locate the source, more shudder and horrible sound.



Jumped back in the truck and drove to dealer about 2 miles away. I noticed when I stepped on the brakes the brake pedal would shudder and vibrate along with the steering wheel.



Pulled in the service drive and showed my new sound to the service writter. He told me congrats, you get a new power steering pump. I asked why the brake pedal made the same noise/ vibration as the steering? He said because the power steering pump creates the vacuum needed to operate the brakes. Cummins changed it to the power steering pump instead of a separate belt driven pump.



3 hours later I had new power steering pump for free, I only have 22,654 miles on the 04. 5. I was just thankful it happened when it did and not last weekend when I was in Port Aransas, Texas catching beer out the ice chest :-laf



Service writer said it was the first one he had seen or heard of doing that??? I haven't seen any other post about it so I thought I would pass it on. It gave no warning it was going out, I had driven it about 60 miles(stop and shop driving) before lunch and then wham :confused:
 
DJs600 said:
I asked why the brake pedal made the same noise/ vibration as the steering? He said because the power steering pump creates the vacuum needed to operate the brakes. Cummins changed it to the power steering pump instead of a separate belt driven pump.



Service writer said it was the first one he had seen or heard of doing that???



I wouldn't put much stock in this service writer, since he is completely wrong about the P/S pump. Unless you have a 2003 automatic-equipped truck there is NO vacuum system on it. If you have a 2003 automatic, then you have a small electric vacuum pump for the cruise control. Your P/S pump is NOT making vacuum for the brakes (or anything else). Rather, the brakes use a hydroboost unit, which uses P/S pressure to provide hydraulic assist instead of vacuum.



I *think* the 2nd gen engines might have had their vacuum pumps mounted on the backside of the P/S pump... that might be where he got the idea.



-Ryan
 
As far as the brakes I have no idea, but I'm driving a rental right now because mine's in getting a new p/s pump with 18,000 miles on it.
 
I had my power steering pump replaced at 1400 miles after the truck ate the first serpentine belt at 680 miles and the second 1400. Now I'm at 3600 miles with no problems.
 
On my '03 the fitting to my P/S pump burst with about 3K on the truck. Later, at around 24K the P/S pump was replaced because it was leaking. At 36K just before the "full" warrantee coverage expired the rear ring & pinion was replaced because of noise.



OTOH, the engine runs like a scalded dog and combined with the NV5600 six speed transmission the truck chews up hills and spits them out.



My '05 with the auto is a nice truck, but slower up the hills. I'm afraid to power it up and damage the transmission so it is going to stay stock. After pulling hills at 65 MPH with my '03, the '05 at 45 MPH seems really slow. I guess I can't complain too much. The hills are steep, and pulling 14K is a bit of a load. :--)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top