2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Steering groan: Pump, or something else?

[JGK]

In the last several weeks I've noticed a slight buzz develop that I can feel in the throttle pedal. Not consistently, but most of the time, and it varies a bit depending on the RPM.



Now in the last few weeks I occasionally feel a stronger buzz during a turn that reminds me of a tire rubbing the plastic fender liner. I've checked the liner and that doesn't appear to be the source. The stronger buzz doesn't happen all the time and only at a certain point in the turn, and more on left turns than right. There's no LOUD groan when turning the wheel, but sometimes just a quiet one. Its pretty quiet when sitting still and turning lock to lock in the driveway. Maybe just a little noise. I sucked out about 10 oz. of steering fluid and poured in some new Valvoline synthetic last Saturday, but that didn't help.



I've heard when a power steering pump is going bad and really groans. I suspect mine is going bad. But I'm asking if anyone knows of any other components might cause these symptoms before I spring for a new pump. And is there any way to easily test them?



Any thoughts?



Thanks,

-Jay

 

[JGK]

Anyone... ?



Hello... ?

 

[AKAMAC]

Make sure the exhaust is not rubbing aganist the frame or one of the carrier grommets have fallen apart.

 

[ASimpson]

Jgk If You Refer To One Of My Last Posts I Have The Same Exact Thing Happening Lately. Sounds Like A Tire Rubbing But It Is Not Turned Far Enough To Rub. Happens When Turning Left. I Notice Mine If Im On The Brakes Slowing And Turning Left At The Same Time. Here Is What I Have Tried Replaced Axle U-joint, Hub Bearing, Ball Joints Had Already Been Replaced. i Cant Find It Yet It Sounds Like The Whine Of A Mud Tire, And Its Driving Me Nuts.

 

[JGK]

ASimpson,



I did actually see your post on a search of this issue. Very interesting. I'm trying to avoid just what you've been through - replacing a lot of parts that didn't help. I hope you determine yours soon and can fill me in on the source and solution! In my case, it doesn't always occur when braking, but often it does. Sometimes it happens when turning right as well, but maybe not as often as left turns. Little by little it seems to be getting worse or more frequent.



Have you replaced your PS pump? I assume not since you didn't mention it.



I intend to jack the truck up this weekend and check all I can for something loose or out of whack.



-Jay

 

[ASimpson]

No Havent Replaced The Pump. I Did Put New Seals In It A Couple Years Back But Thats It. Id Swear Mine Is Not In The Pump It Sounds Like Its The Axle On The Left Side. You Can Feel It In The Steering Wheel When It Does It. I Even Checked The Fluid In The Front Axle To Make Sure It Wasnt Low. It Does Also Do It Going Straight Now But Not As Much As When Your Turning Left And Using The Brakes. It Does It Most When You Get To 20 Mph Or Slower. Im Not Sure Where To Look Next, But Im Still Looking.

 

[JGK]

Man, that sure sounds similar. Yes, feel it in the steering wheel. Yes, it seems to happen at slower speeds like turning into driveways or side streets. I'm still thinkin' its the pump. I can get a reman locally for $90. Front diff oil was changed recently and it was quite clean.



The only other thing I can think of is the steering box. I've had the DDS steering stabilizer on for a couple of years, and I don't run huge tires, so it should be in good shape, but maybe...



-Jay

 

[GAmes]

Jay,



Have you tried this?



https://www.turbodieselregister.com...7-possible-low-power-steering-assist-fix.html



I had nearly total loss of power steering and brakes three days ago. In two hours I was up and running again.



Gary

 

[JGK]

Hey, Gary!



Another fix on the road, eh? You're getting good at that!



Oh yeah, its done. I replaced the PS pump not too long after that thread appeared due to noticeable groaning. At that time I pulled this little valve and did the mod to increase the pressure. I've thought about pulling it out again and twiddling with it to see if it would make a difference on the current issue. I'm just thinking that if I take the time and trouble to drain the fluid and check/adjust this valve, then, after testing the results, decide to replace the pump anyway, I'd be doing the project twice. I'm weighing the pros and cons of that versus just doing it once and replacing the pump.



Thanks for the suggestion, though.



-Jay

 

[GAmes]

Jay,



O'Reilly and CarQuest both carry a reman kit. I think O"reilly's is more complete. Only about $14 if you decide to pull the pump off. My plan is to tear mine down when I get home and see if there is any thing inside that can wear out in a half million miles.



In your case I'd try the simple fix first. Only about a pint of fluid and a an hour lost if not fixed.



Either way I hope it is the fix overall.



Gary

 

[CCahill]

I had the same symptoms recently myself... tried some synthetic PS fluid, after sucking all my stock fluid out... sounds and feels like a new pump... no noise, no growl...

 

[JGK]

Ran out of weekend before I got to this. So no changes or fixes yet.



CCahill,



I've been using synthetic fluid since I replace the pump the first time about 4 years ago. So I don't think that's the issue. I just sucked about 10 oz out and replaced it with fresh. No change.



Gary,



I looked up O'Reilly and found the rebuild kit. Any idea what is included in it? Their site doesn't give any details. Do you know anyone that's done this and found it really "refreshes" the pump?



-Jay

 

[GAmes]

Jay,



I know that Hot Rod Diesel in Hitchcock, Tx uses them frequently, but not sure of their source. HotRodDiesels, Your Houston/Galveston Diesel Performance Headquarters That is where I had my PDR cam installed.



I have what is left of one of their kits, it is mainly o-rings and a metal tube. The part number from O'Reilly is the same. Not sure where the tube goes but I'll find out pretty soon. I'm thinking if you tear it down, clean all the parts and reassemble it, you will have the equivalent of a reman pump. That is based on my theory that there is not much inside to actually wear out.



Gary

 

[JGK]

Finally got a chance to install the rebuild kit from O'Reilly's yesterday. Kind of a pain in the butt. It took a lot longer to do than I had hoped. My opinion on it is, if you're ambitious, have a really long afternoon available, are a competent wrench turner (do most of your own maintenace and mods) and access to a few special tools, you can do this. On the other hand, if not, it may ultimately be cheaper to just buy a reman pump (about $90 locally from parts shop - less on-line - vs. $20 with shipping for the kit) and put it in.



The main special tool you'll find handy is a shop press to press in the metal sleeve GAmes mentioned above. You can use it to press out the old one, but we just hammered it out with an appropriate deep socket and a dead blow hammer.



The kit is, as Gary said, just various o-rings, a shaft seal and the metal sleeve. The instructions included in the kit are marginally useful. They are generic since the kit covers a number of variations on pump design.



I had to pull the vacuum pump as well as the PS pump to get the PS pump out. Also, since I had a spare vacuum pump oil seal replacement kit, I chose to rebuild it. I figured it would probably leak anyway after R&R'ing the PS pump from the vacuum pump.



The pump is fairly simple and it doesn't take a lot of brain power to remember how put it back together correctly. There are 2 ornery spring steel retainer rings to remove and reinstall. The big one is pretty easy after you discover there's a hole in the housing to push it out of its recess. And that is mentioned in the instructions. The other, tiny one is a pain to get back on the shaft unless you have a special spreader tool for it (we didn't - that's the other special tool that would be handy).



So far, the power steering and brakes work fine (whew!). I haven't driven it enough to see if it fixed the problem. That will take a few days.



-Jay

 

[ASimpson]

Please Keep Us Informed As My Growling Is Getting Worse All The Time.

 

[JGK]

I'm thinkin' this fixed the problem. I haven't had the slightest groan or growl since Sunday night.



One symptom I'd been experiencing for several months has been a slight buzz or vibration I could feel through the floor with my left foot, or sometimes through the throttle pedal. Usually in 3rd or 4th gear just cruising down the street at 35 to 40 mph. That is gone. The engine seems to run smoother. I'm attributing that to a fixed PS pump.



I'll let you know if things change, but for now I think this one's fixed.



-Jay

 

[GAmes]

Thanks Jay, now I know what I have to look forward to. The trick now is to get home long enough to do the rebuild.



Gary

 

[ASimpson]

Just a follow up I changed my p/s pump and put a filter in the return line. This did not help my groan problem so I am gonna take a couple people a ride in it to see if we can diagnose the problem. Adam

 

[HEMI®Dart]

If it feels like its coming from the column or steering linkage, try spraying done the black pre-load spring you see coming out of the firewall w/ WD-40. This is what makes noise on my truck.

 

[ASimpson]

Ok after the pump I also changed the sway bar end link bushings they were cracked and needed changed anyway although I had changed them a couple years ago. Yesterday i notice that now i dont have to be turning to make this noise anymore actually dont have to even be moving. Slowing down coming to a stop it started doing it so after I stoped I kept the brake pushed down and let go of the wheel no pressure on it and it continued to do it. I sat there probably 10 to 15 seconds it did it the entire time. It sounds like a loud humming noise and vibrated enough to feel it in the floor board. It still does it most often slowing and turning to the left but dont know how it could be suspension or axles since it does it sitting still. Hope to find it soon or its gonna drive me nuts.