2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission slow power steering

[Turley]

This is my maiden voyage here at the website, and I'm computer Illiterate, so I hope I'm doing this right. My 98. 5 has been giving me intermitent power steering trouble. The truck is used to plow snow so I wander if the wieght has anything to do with it? From what I've seen and read so far you guy's sure know alot about these trucks. If the ps pump just acts like its not spinning fast enough is there a trick to perform, or is it going bad.

 

[Dave M]

This is my maiden voyage here at the website, and I'm computer Illiterate, so I hope I'm doing this right. My 98. 5 has been giving me intermitent power steering trouble. The truck is used to plow snow so I wander if the wieght has anything to do with it? From what I've seen and read so far you guy's sure know alot about these trucks. If the ps pump just acts like its not spinning fast enough is there a trick to perform, or is it going bad.

The power steering is attached to the vacuum pump so they are difficult to remove and fix . I have't done it yet . Just going by what I've read. If you need to rebuild or fix a leak between the two, here is a good $60 rebuild kit. They may have power steering units also.



www.fixinrams.com



That should get you started. I replaced the Hydroboost unit which supplies power steering boost to the brakes so thats another source of problems. Got a new boost unit from www.hydroboost.com for $275.



Maybe someone else can help with troubleshooting your problem.



Good luck and welcome to TDR. This site is great! Lot of people full of knowledge and helpfull.



Dave



Edit(12-5/05): I paid about $275 for the hydroboost unit from Hydratech Braking but you will not find the OEM replacement on the site. You must call or email and explain you have hydroboost and need a replacement. The $500+ price you will find is for replacing the vacuum booster with a hydroboost unit, so contact them first. I have had mine on for about a year and am pleased to get a brand new unit for the cost of a rebuilt one. Only problem is you need to send your old one in so they can re-use the OEM Dodge mounting bracket and control rods and put them in your new unit. Dodge won't sell them those OEM parts.

 

[KWentling]

I would start by changing out the power steering fluid with a synthetic such as the Valvoline and see if that makes a difference. I just replaced my steering box with one from PSC. Made a huge difference is steering effort, not that the old box was hard to steer (just loose and leaking). The fluid was very dark when I drained it, and I had changed it once in the 104,000 miles on the truck. How many miles on the truck? I'm sure the plow has some effect.



Kim

 

[Dave M]

I would start by changing out the power steering fluid with a synthetic such as the Valvoline and see if that makes a difference. I just replaced my steering box with one from PSC. Made a huge difference is steering effort, not that the old box was hard to steer (just loose and leaking). The fluid was very dark when I drained it, and I had changed it once in the 104,000 miles on the truck. How many miles on the truck? I'm sure the plow has some effect.



Kim

I replaced my power steering fluid with synthetic Redline when I replaced my hydroboost unit. It only takes a quart or two so its not too expensive anyhow... not like 12 quarts of oil!



I'm thinking of replacing my leaking ps box with PSC also. I have a small leak onto the pitman arm and its making a mess under there. How much was yours and where did you order from?



Thanks,

Dave

 

[DMcLeod]

My shop manual describes a pressure/flow test procedure that will tell you the condition of your power steering pump. My pump is acting similar to yours and I believe my brakes are also being affected (hydrobooster). I'm still looking into it.

 

[DKarvwnaris]

Change the fluid out in it first before giving up on the pump, and make sure you get it all out. I would fill the reservoir up a few times and cycle the steering to make sure. Drain the return line into a bucket so you can see the color of the fluid change back to normal again. With the plow hooked up on the steering pump, you're guaranteed to have contaminates in it as well.

An inline filter on the return line would be a wise addition of you don't have one already on it. Napa sells cartridge filter for about $2. 00 that will slide into the return line. The steel canister type filters are my preferred choice, but you'll need to modify the hydraulic lines to accept it. If you already have the typical spaghetti mess of hoses from installing the plow hydraulics on the truck it may be a tight fit. At the least, intall one on the plow's valve body return line. It will eventually capture contaminates as they circulate throughout the overall system.

Next step after that is to R/R the pump. Not cheap, and not fun. It's a tight fit to say the least.

I installed a PTO hydraulic kit on my dodge to run things like this. It works well and keeps the steering pump from being over tasked. I can also run hydraulic tampers/jack hammers and light duty dump trailers off of it, nice for ranch work. It will cost you around $1200. 00 to convert to this setup, but its money well spent if you consider the high cost of the pumps on these diesel model trucks.

 

[TJany]

unless your pump is leaking, i would try this first as some have had success with it

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69047&page=1&pp=15



note that if you want to increase the pressure you can do that as well, by placing a small washer behind the spring. i believe that is all written up in the thread i have above. soon as i get some time this is on my to do list



Tim

 

[Nate]

I haven't seen a plow that ran off the power steering system... did I miss something where Turley said that?? I just see that he has a plow.



The old plows (that'd I've dealt with) had a seperate pump... and the new stuff is mainly an electric pump.

 

[DKarvwnaris]

I haven't seen a plow that ran off the power steering system... did I miss something where Turley said that?? I just see that he has a plow.



The old plows (that'd I've dealt with) had a seperate pump... and the new stuff is mainly an electric pump.

There are numerous companies that sold plows for pickups that utilized the existing power steering pumps. Most new ones are electric/hydraulic, but not all. Several of the 3 way power angle plows use the power steering pumps to power them. Dodge trucks with the Cummins option are difficult to mount a second pump on to them, which is why alot of the dodges I have seen use the factory pumps for hydraulic power, unless they have PTO driven pumps like my dodge had before.

I didn't read anything about the truck having the power steering tapped into it for the plow either, I just offered it as a cause and gave a solution for it if it was.

 

[KWentling]

Dave, I got mine direct from direct from PSC Motorsports. It was $300. I put the DSS steering stabilizer on it also so it should last a long time.



Kim

 

[Dave M]

Dave, I got mine direct from direct from PSC Motorsports. It was $300. I put the DSS steering stabilizer on it also so it should last a long time.



Kim

Thanks for replying. I plan to do both. Are you happy with DSS? Where did you get it from? Did you notice any difference in the feel of the steering, response on the road, etc. . ?



Thanks,



Dave

 

[nps]

Thanks for replying. I plan to do both. Are you happy with DSS? Where did you get it from? Did you notice any difference in the feel of the steering, response on the road, etc. . ?



Thanks,



Dave

I bought my DSS and 3rd gen track bar + bracket used from another TDR member that was trading in his 2nd gen on a new truck - both parts were low mileage and in very good shape. I put the DSS on first and also adjusted the steering box preload and overcenter, then took it for a drive. Not much difference.



Next I put on the 3rd gen track bar and WOW - took the play right out of the wheel. Finally I did the PS pump screen clean and spring stretch and could turn my steering from lock to lock with one finger at idle with the truck stationary (prior to this 2 hands could not turn the wheels without moving).



The DSS is good no doubt and will definitely make sure my steering box never fails, and I wouldn't take it off for anything. So yes I am happy. But it really didn't change the 'feel' as much as the track bar did. My truck had 40,000 miles at the time.

 

[Dave M]

I put the DSS on first and also adjusted the steering box preload and overcenter, then took it for a drive. Not much difference.



Next I put on the 3rd gen track bar and WOW - took the play right out of the wheel. Finally I did the PS pump screen clean and spring stretch and could turn my steering from lock to lock with one finger at idle with the truck stationary (prior to this 2 hands could not turn the wheels without moving).



But it really didn't change the 'feel' as much as the track bar did.

The track bar really seems to make a big difference in the feel of the steering tightness. I have a Luke's Link on the track bar and when it loosened up I noticed a big difference after I tightened it up. Thinking bout going to 3rd gen TB to see if it makes a difference.



Thanks for the info.



Dave

 

[KWentling]

Dave, I'm happy with the PSC. Took a little getting used to the much easier steering. I used Lindstad's kit on my track bar so it was already tight. Like was said above, you can take one finger and go lock to lock sitting still. It's that easy. I don't have a link for you but if you Google PSC Motorsports I think you'll find their sight. You can order online. They also sell the DSS but I got mine from Darin earlier. That took the last of my play out of the steering.



Kim

 

[Dave M]

Dave, I'm happy with the PSC. Took a little getting used to the much easier steering. I used Lindstad's kit on my track bar so it was already tight. Like was said above, you can take one finger and go lock to lock sitting still. It's that easy. I don't have a link for you but if you Google PSC Motorsports I think you'll find their sight. You can order online. They also sell the DSS but I got mine from Darin earlier. That took the last of my play out of the steering.



Kim

Kim,



Good too see your satisfied with PSC and it actually made a difference. "Took a little getting used to the much easier steering"... Now that's what I'm talking about! That's the kind of problem I want! :-laf