power steering??

[2shus]

I have a 95 Ram and the power steering stinks. It is hard to turn with one hand, you can't use your palm and you better not be holding a cup of coffee when you turn the corner. It is full of fluid and the belt is tight. It is not a catchy spot or drag on the steering, it is consistently harder to turn than you can safely do with one hand. Does anyone else have this problem or know if it is just a trait that dodge rams have? I have had truck a couple of months and always associated (older) mopar power steering as easy enough to steer with your pinky finger??????

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1995 Dodge 2500 SLT Reg. cab 4x4 Auto,Long Bed 12 valve, 3. 5 rears, K&N Air filter 112,000 miles Anti lock brk sys, 305/70-16/Mickey Thompson Alum. wheels,Leer cap, Nerf Bars, Black/Black C/D Player Overload springs, Reese Hitch, T. C. Lockup switch, Cats dead, straight pipe.

 

[illflem]

It doesn't sound right,I have the same truck as you and can turn the wheels with one finger even while stopped. Try changing your fluid first. Valvoline synthetic power steering fluid is a very good replacement. You can use a turkey baster or suction gun to remove the fluid from the reservoir,don't worry about getting it all,the Valvoline is compatible with the Dodge fluid. If that doesn't solve the problem you could have a bad pump that isn't putting out enough pressure,there are tests for this,but if there is a problem all you can do is replace the pump.
Sometimes oversized tires or damaged steering components can also cause hard turning.

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95' 25004X4,AT,Driftwood,Banks Stinger,Warn fender flairs and running boards(work truck)
95 3500,5 speed 3:54,BD E-brake,Driftwood,Banks&Psycotty,34,000 GCVW apple and tractor hauler(works harder truck)

 

[pcorssmit]

Hey Bill, is the Valvoline fluid you are useing a full synthetic, or is it blended? I looked at Checkers (yuck) last week, and all they had was a blended Valvoline.

2shus, this may be an indication that your pump is going bad. Or your front tires are getting low (air). Aftermarket wheels that are wide (10" +) or have less backspacing than stock can also make the problem worse. There is also a pressure valve that can go bad that screws into the back of the pump, where the line goes in. I had to drive my Blazer back from a four wheeling trip with no power steering, and 39. 5" tall x 15 wide Swampers on 15 x 10s. Even at 50-60 mph, it took a lot of force with both hands to steer it. With stock wheels and tires, most vehicles are fairly easy to steer at speed with no assist, but this changes when you increase the track width.

Pete



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'97 2500 CC 4X4 5spd Sport
'83 K5 Blazer 350 TBI (ex 6. 2), 39. 5 TSLs, 3" lift, Dana 60/GM 14 blt, Detroits

 

[pcorssmit]

Thanks, sounds like the stuff I picked up, will have to give it a try. Running empty all the time with a 5 spd, the brakes (Hydro-boost) are really touchy when its cold out, and it takes a while for them to warm up.

Pete

 

[1tuffram]

The Valvoline PS fluid is a synthetic blend.

 

[2shus]

I picked some up today, its called valvoline synpower and its a synthetic blend.

I changed the fluid in it and it seemed to improve somewhat but still to hard to turn, must be the larger and wider tires??
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1995 Dodge 2500 SLT Reg. cab 4x4 Auto,Long Bed 12 valve, 3. 5 rears, K&N Air filter 112,000 miles Anti lock brk sys, 305/70-16/Mickey Thompson Alum. wheels,Leer cap, Nerf Bars, Black/Black C/D Player Overload springs, Reese Hitch, T. C. Lockup switch, Cats dead, straight pipe.

[This message has been edited by 2shus (edited 03-07-2001). ]

 

[HEMI®Dart]

2shus

You remember the old mopar powersteerinng too? It was ALL POWER and no road feel. They tighened it up over the years. It and much better road input & feel now.

I would flush & change your Power Steering system. Look for metal shavings or other junk. Take the in & out lines right off the steering chuck. Flush it with cheap power steering fluid. Than fill it with a good synthetic like valvoline synpower. If its no better, you powersteering pump could be on its way out.

[This message has been edited by HEMI®Dart (edited 03-07-2001). ]