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

[NoSeeUm]

Watching this thread.



I have also noticed a groan at slower speeds while turning left. I had originally thought that this was mud tire groan as well. But now I am not so sure as it does not happen on right turns.



Jim

 

[ASimpson]

It almost sounds like a pump whine but Im not sure. I rebuilt my vac. pump a couple years ago and notice no leaks and now have a new p/s pump. Next thing may be a bullet or a blow torch.

 

[ASimpson]

Some new things from this weekend. I was pulling an empty cattle trailer and noticed one time coming to a stop the truck was making this sound louder than normal while setting still with the wheels pointing straight forward with my foot on the brakes holding the truck and trailer still. So while im setting there I do something I hadnt done before while the truck is making this sound. I popped the shift lever up into neutral as soon as i did noise was gone drop it back down in drive noise comes back instantly just as loud. When you are setting at a stop the truck is pulling against the brakes all the time not ungodly hard but there is a pull there just like there has always been. Now I just need to find out if it is a transmission issue or what. And as always any info. is appreciated. Thanks Adam

 

[GAmes]

ASimpson,



If you start a new thread in the eng/trans forum you might get better response.

 

[NoSeeUm]

Follow-up:



I took my truck in today, mostly for an A/C problem. I also asked them to check my front suspension due to the groan on low speed left turns.



Keep in mind this is all under warranty. The verdict was new upper and lower ball joints as well as u-joints for both sides. I guess I will wait to see if this fixes my problem.



Still in the back of my mind I am wondering WTH causes this? Just a progression of the track bar issue or something else or just tottaly common?



Thanks;

Jim

 

[JGK]

NoSeeUm,



If you end up getting the ball joints and/or u-joints replaced, let us know how that affected the groan. Mine never did completely go away forever. Last fall I had to replace the track bar and as the weather got colder the groan sort of disappeared and I quit paying attention to it. But the temps have warmed up to about 50* the last few days and I've noticed the groan on left turns is back.



If it turns out replacing the ball joints and/or u-joints fixes the problem, then maybe I'll have to start planning for a spring project. Mine have never been replaced and I have about 150K miles on the truck. A friend with a '98 auto replaced his ball joints last summer with Luke's Links and I think has been pretty satisfied with those.



Anyway, let us know.



Thanks,

-Jay

 

[NoSeeUm]

Yeah, will do...



I got the truck back today, let my drive it a few days and I will let you know.



Jim

 

[NoSeeUm]

Yeah, will do...



I got the truck back today, let my drive it a few days and I will let you know.



Jim

Well I finnally get back to this thread. The ball joint / U joint replacement did nothing. I seem to notice it more that the weather is a bit warmer.



As I am still under warrantee, I will take it back to the dealer and see what they do next.



Jim

 

[GAmes]

Jay,



You prolly don't want to hear this, but I had a little PS groan with two different rebuilt pumps. When the second one failed I bought a new one from mopar4less (it cost less than a rebuild and what I payed a mech in Oregon, a whole different story). I also finally broke down and replaced my steering gear box. No more groan. I'm sure it is because of the NEW pump, altho the combo may have done it.



Gary

 

[JGK]

Gary,



I've already begun to suspect its the steeing box. Like everything else, they don't last forever. Another spring/summer project, I guess.



So what box did you go with, OEM or aftermarket?



-Jay

 

[GAmes]

I went with a reman OEM from mopar4less. I figured if the original lasted nearly 600k, a reman should get me to 1 million. Remans are all that Dodge sells anyway. The biggest reason I changed it out was because it leaked from both seals, second reason was it had a little play in it. I had to relearn how to drive with the new one. :-laf

 

[NoSeeUm]

Jay,



You prolly don't want to hear this, but I had a little PS groan with two different rebuilt pumps. When the second one failed I bought a new one from mopar4less (it cost less than a rebuild and what I payed a mech in Oregon, a whole different story). I also finally broke down and replaced my steering gear box. No more groan. I'm sure it is because of the NEW pump, altho the combo may have done it.



Gary

Was your groan only during left turns?



Jim

 

[GAmes]

Was your groan only during left turns?



Jim

Come to think about it, yes I believe so.

 

[JGK]

Yep, that's pretty much the case with mine. Can't say I've noticed it with right turns, only left.



I was looking at it last night and there's quite a coating of PS fluid (I presume) and dirt all over it like it has been repeatedly sprayed over time. I'm going to the carwash to clean it all off and watch it for a few days to see where it's coming from.



-Jay