power steering pump question

[alexanderJ]

2005 Dodge 2500 2wd. The power steering pump is starting to make a growling sound when turned from side to side. Most noticeable at slow speeds. Kind of surprises me at 52K miles. I've noticed in a search that some folks are not only having to replace the pump, but also the steering gear box and the brake booster.



Since my pump has not totally failed, and I assume not sending any debris through the system, will anything except pump have to be replaced? Is Dodge the only source that makes a non-remanufactured pump (new).

 

[DZink24]

have you checked your fluid level? i would start there. it is unfortunate, but with that few miles on a 7 or 8 year old truck, the seals and hoses might be dried out.

 

[jelag]

I have an 05, every 2-3 years I pull the return hose... let it run into a bucket and add back a gallon of ATF... . I than let it run through it and put it back together and recharge it with power steering fluid... I've done this on each of the trucks I've owned and never replaced a gear box or pump...

 

[alexanderJ]

Yes, checked fluid and it was a little low so added some with no improvement to the noise. I mostly use the truck to pull a 5th wheel and it does spend a lot of time in the garage, but I get it out at least every couple of weeks the wet the seals.

I admit I've been negligent in draining/changing the power steering fluid. I've never done this on a vehicle before and never had any problem. I'm sure after I spend what a repair is going to cost me I will be doing it in the future. Do all vehicles require this service or is this peculiar to medium/heavy duty trucks?

I just hope I can get away with replacing the pump and nothing else.

 

[Bob4x4]

The 05 pump supercedes to a pkg. Pump,resevoir and brackets.

 

[cerberusiam]

Since the system is using ATF+4 as the fluid they need to be changed. Add to that it is also running the braking system it gets a lot of use. I have flushed mine twice in 208k and it is due again. Still on the old pump even though it is starting to seep. Time to upgrade to the new pump package. Most of the steering box replacements are on the 4x4's. A lot more stress on those systems and the tendency to put bigger tires on accelerates the wear.

 

[DZink24]

i recently siphoned out about a QT of the old stuff and swapped it with fresh. i'll do that every so often to keep a fresh supply in the system. pulling a hose is the best way to do it, although you run a serious risk of never getting it back together like it was. .

 

[Bob4x4]

I have a dual pump set up I use. One to remove and one to refill with