Replaced the power steering pump, again!

[EB]

I had to replace the power steering pump again, this is the third pump on this truck. This time the shaft that holds the pulley broke back inside the pump causing a loss of fluid, and of course no steering, braking, and rapid overheating.

Since the first of the year I have replaced the power steering pump, the rack and pinion, and the hydro booster. Is anyone else having problems like this? There has to be something in the system wrong. I have replaced everything in the steering system and still am having problems. It is bad enough that I have spent over $2000 since Jan. but every time I go in the shop I lose work. Today, I was just starting off on a 400 mile run and didn't make it 25 miles. Besides the $534 the repair cost me, I lost around $600 on the run. I'm to the point that I'm going to start looking for another truck and as much as I hate it, it won't be a Dodge. I'm going to look for a heavier truck like a 4500 or 5500 series truck and Dodge doesn't make one. If this was the only repairs I was looking at I wouldn't be so upset, but it isn't. I need both upper ball joints, a fan clutch, for the second time, and the ring and pinion gears need to be replaced. Someone figure out a way to talk me out of changing trucks.

 

[JThiessen]

I'm taking mine in this afternoon for loss of power steering. Appears to be a hose (just by the way the fluid loss looked underneath). But i'll post back with results. I was going to ask why yours wasnt under warranty - but then I saw the 199,350 at the end of your signature..... dang thats rackin' 'em up! ANd I bet they werent unloaded miles either?!?!?!?

 

[rbattelle]

Wow, with all that mileage I'm inclined to think maybe you're just plain wearing out the steering parts! I guess that's what I have to look forward to when I get up to 200k miles.



I notice you have a milemarker. Any chance that could be shedding contaminants into your P/S system, causing premature failure of the rack/pinion and pump [your truck is 2wd, right]? What size tires are you running?



Rather than trying to convince you not to change trucks, I think that in your case it might really be better to go to a 4500-5500 series truck as you suggest.



-Ryan

 

[ropinfool2]

why not go to a single axle tractor like the Volvo 600? You can pick these up off lease, still under warranty for under 30K. That's my NEXT tow rig. John

 

[yogibear]

Damn EB, thats some terrible luck your having!! I've got 210K on mine and haven't had near the prob's you've had. Ryan might have something there, with your hyd. winch. Good Luck,



Larry

 

[GCross]

II'm going to look for a heavier truck like a 4500 or 5500 series truck and Dodge doesn't make one.

Check out the class 6 Pete 335 with the 8. 3 Cummins. Air brakes, Bostrom air-ride seats, choice of trans including 9 speed Fuller or 6sp Allison. I looked at one but the $98000 MSRP was a bit to steep for me, and is probably more than an F550 or C5500 but if you're making a living with the truck it might be worth looking into.



-George-

 

[JThiessen]

Just got the call... . new pump required. $458 - they located a pump (after he mentioned the nationwide backorder on them). 37,754 tics on the ODO. sucks..... 1754 miles out of warranty. Guess thats as good as 160K over, huh?

 

[EB]

I believe the problem was the hydro-boost, the shaft on the pump looked like it had been cracked for a while, probably because of the kick-back from the plug up in the hydro-boost. I was having problems before I put the Milemarker winch on, so I don't believe it is the problem, besides I have a Magnefine filter on the power steering system. It is magnetic plus filtration, shouldn't have anything floating around in the system. Some of the other websites agree it was the hydroboost, Fords had a problem with it. I haven't had anymore problems in the last 7000 miles, I'm over 206k now, so I believe it is fixed. (Knock on wood)

 

[JThiessen]

Well, DC kicked in for 250 of my bill, so it "only" cost me 200 for the pump. After you guys had your replaced, did your steering still feel heavy? It just doesnt feel quite right to me..... wondering if I have a bad cylinder down there also... ...