2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Steering issues.

[drlabatomy]

Power Steering Pump Replaced. . Steering Shaft Replaced... Steering Box Replaced... and still have same problem with steering. It is almost impossible to turn wheel while stopped but once its moving (and warmed up) it seems to be almost normal. I talked with someone from usedcumminstrucks.com and figured if anyone would know it would be him... (they only work and repair 2nd gen diesels) he said without a doubt its the vacuum pump. I never got a response from anyone about this issue before and i am just wondering if thats a pretty good estimate of the issu i am having. Either a vacuum pump rebuild or replacement? CCan anyone enlighten me on this issue?



2001 Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab 5. 9L HO 6 Speed



Also the steering has been rough since i bought the truck and has gotten progressively worse over the years but its practicly unbearable now.



Thanks George

 

[cerberusiam]

What year of truck and configuration do you have?

How do your brakes work?

What do you mean the steering is rough and practically unbearable? Since you replaced all the parts it did not help the steering? Is it too tight, too loose, or ??

Offhand not sure what with the vacuum pump would cause the power steering to fail but not sure exactly what you are working on yet. As long as the pump is turning and building good pressure your steering should be working, at least as far as the pump and box is concerned. If you have binding in the axle assembly that is a different story.

Have you checked ball joints, tie rods, etc?

 

[Ram4Sam]

I don't think they are correct... . all the vacuum pump does on a 2001 is provide a vacuum source to operate the HVAC controls.



Sam

 

[nutter3]

Agree with Ram4Sam. Could it be something with the hydroboost braking system?

 

[GAmes]

Have you ever flushed the system? Did you get a new PS pump or a parts store rebuild? Saginaw pumps have been in service for a long time (I have one on my '67 Chev C20) so a rebuild may or may not be set up for a Dodge/Cummins pickup. I went thru 5 rebuild in a year before I saw the light and bought a new one. Have you read this? https://www.turbodieselregister.com...ering-assist-fix&highlight=low+power+steering

 

[drlabatomy]

What year of truck and configuration do you have?

How do your brakes work?

What do you mean the steering is rough and practically unbearable? Since you replaced all the parts it did not help the steering? Is it too tight, too loose, or ??

Offhand not sure what with the vacuum pump would cause the power steering to fail but not sure exactly what you are working on yet. As long as the pump is turning and building good pressure your steering should be working, at least as far as the pump and box is concerned. If you have binding in the axle assembly that is a different story.

Have you checked ball joints, tie rods, etc?

Brakes work fine. .

Steering is way too tight i can hardly turn the steering wheel till the truck is warmed up and even after that i can only turn the wheel when i am moving.

Tie rods, ball joints and and any other mechanical parts were not checked but i was thinking that may be the next step.

The tight steering has alway been an issue just not to this extreme. Don't get me wrong the truck is drivable just extremely tight i gotta be missing something in the equation thats why i was shocked when this guy told me its a vacuum pump which i never checked. I did change the oil yesterday and noticed a decent amount of leakage but i think it was from a fuel leak problem i had a while ago.

 

[drlabatomy]

Have you ever flushed the system? Did you get a new PS pump or a parts store rebuild? Saginaw pumps have been in service for a long time (I have one on my '67 Chev C20) so a rebuild may or may not be set up for a Dodge/Cummins pickup. I went thru 5 rebuild in a year before I saw the light and bought a new one. Have you read this? https://www.turbodieselregister.com...ering-assist-fix&highlight=low+power+steering

Brand new steering pump installed from Geno's all fluid drained flushed and new fluid installed. My mechanic even put a power steering fluid cooler in it and that didn't help. (he thought the fluid was heating up. )

 

[GAmes]

One of the members has started a garage business selling steering shaft bushings. He had too much play in the steering, but perhaps the thread will provide you with the instructions needed to investigate the shaft itself.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...Rattle-Solved-With-Column-Bushing-Fix-!&pp=15

 

[NIsaacs]

Have you checked to make sure the pump is even turning under pressure. Maybe the shop that told you it is the vacuum pump was indicating "it" is not turning the power steering pump, as in the output shaft has some sort of issue. Do you have vacuum? Maybe nothing is turning.

Nick

 

[tripl-e]

Steering is way too tight i can hardly turn the steering wheel till the truck is warmed up and even after that i can only turn the wheel when i am moving.





The tight steering has alway been an issue just not to this extreme. Don't get me wrong the truck is drivable just extremely tight i gotta be missing something in the equation thats why i was shocked when this guy told me its a vacuum pump which i never checked. I did change the oil yesterday and noticed a decent amount of leakage but i think it was from a fuel leak problem i had a while ago.

As noted, vacuum in used only for HVAC and front axle drive engage/disengage. The relationship between vacuum and power steering is that the ps pump is piggybacked on the vacuum pump. They are mechanically driven from engine front gearcase-they either drive or they don't.



You say the ps pump has now been changed and the problem is unchanged? Well, if the new pump is making specified pressure (you said the hydraulically boosted brakes are normal, right?) then either the steering box is not turning that pressurized fluid into mechanical assist internally or the forces within the steering linkage which the steering box is being asked to overcome are extreme. A rough evaluation of these forces could be made by comparing the steering effort of your truck with a similar vehicle with both in unboosted condition. Get the truck on a mild downgrade with some turns and switch the engine off. Roll ahead and steer (it will be VERY heavy and require lots of effort). Compare a truck with known good steering with yours. If your power assist is normal and your steering gear is so stiff that the OEM power assist can't overcome it then in the unboosted condition your truck will be mostly unsteerable at all. The difference should be clear. But, given the longevity of this symptom, my guess is that the steering box assist hydraulics are bad and that you've been driving unassisted steering for a while. The Borgeson (sp?) box is supposed to be a nice upgrade!



Good Luck!



EEE

 

[HHhuntitall]

I'm not sure about driving down a grade without power steering or power brakes... . I'd suggest a jack stand evaluation, setting the front axle on jack stands and checking everything. Ball joints would be suspect, as would a steering box, and then the new pump. As the situation didn't change with the addition of the new pump, I'd wager more on the steering box or ball joints... . Seeing how it turns without the engine running will tell you alot... . It should turn easily with the wheels off the ground. Also look for physical contact of the steering arms against other components, indicating something bent or out of alignment.

 

[Road Dog]

Like HHhuntitall, I'd put it on jack stands and spin the wheel. It sounds like something is binding -- either the steering column or the linkage or the steering stabilizer.

 

[cerberusiam]

Power Steering Pump Replaced. . Steering Shaft Replaced... Steering Box Replaced... and still have same problem with steering.

Looks like he replaced all the parts y'all are talking about with no change. If the brakes work the hydro boost works. If the pump was bad the brakes would not work well and the steering would be non-existent as the pump powers the box first. A bad steering stabilizer would make things pretty hinky in the steering department and dry ball joints would introduce some memory steer. The OP needs to weigh in with more info though.

 

[tripl-e]

The more I reflect on this the more I come to suspect the steering box's hydro assist. As noted, the brake boost appears normal so I infer normal pump output pressure/volume. The point of rolling the vehicle without steering assist is to keep the load bearing elements in the mix and under normal load but on further reflection it seems clear that if there was enough friction/drag in the steering gear to overcome the normal assist from the hydraulic system there would be no 'feel' in the steering at all. There would be no return-to-center from the normal caster thrust, the steering would just be bound up where ever it sat and would feel very abnormal above and beyond its higher-than-usual effort.

 

[cerberusiam]

The more I reflect on this the more I come to suspect the steering box's hydro assist.

One would think that replacing the box would fix that. Since it evidently did not change with a new box that doesn't make sense either. Now, if it is a bad box possibly but with no change... ... .

 

[JR]

It would be interesting to hear how the truck drives in a straight line. Any noises out of the ordinary, uneven tire wear, etc? Id like to hear some more about the truck besides the turning issue, could be indicative of other issues

 

[drlabatomy]

I'm not sure about driving down a grade without power steering or power brakes... . I'd suggest a jack stand evaluation, setting the front axle on jack stands and checking everything. Ball joints would be suspect, as would a steering box, and then the new pump. As the situation didn't change with the addition of the new pump, I'd wager more on the steering box or ball joints... . Seeing how it turns without the engine running will tell you alot... . It should turn easily with the wheels off the ground. Also look for physical contact of the steering arms against other components, indicating something bent or out of alignment.

Im thinking this sounds like a better assessment of the problem. With the truck facing downhill and full load on the front end it makes it tougher to turn the wheel almost unturnable just like if the truck was running but not in motion. Also i have installed a new steering box(borgeson), steering shaft(borgeson) and power steering pump. I want to redo the shocka and start changing parts of the front end anyway so i'll start with the ball joints and keep changing evrything with the steering associated parts till i find it. Anyone else have any ideas let me know. As for alignment issue i could believe that also because this set of tires on the front show heavy wear on the outside edges.

 

[drlabatomy]

It would be interesting to hear how the truck drives in a straight line. Any noises out of the ordinary, uneven tire wear, etc? Id like to hear some more about the truck besides the turning issue, could be indicative of other issues

Steering wheel is cocked a little but does drive straight. I did put the truck in a ditch 8 yrs ago but everything was repaired after that as far as i know. This really bad steering issue only started within the last 3yrs. But the truck was always tough to turn at a stand still but not as bad as in the last 3 yrs.

 

[cerberusiam]

Anyone else have any ideas let me know. As for alignment issue i could believe that also because this set of tires on the front show heavy wear on the outside edges.

Check the stabilizer shock 1st thing. If it goes bad and starts binding that will definitely cause problems.

Lot of weight on the front end of these trucks. Trying to turn the wheels while stopped is hard on all the components. If you can turn it easily just as you start to roll that is pretty normal.

Tire wear on the outside is usaully wheel bearings. If you haven't check them for slack lately that would a good place to start.

 

[tripl-e]

One would think that replacing the box would fix that.

Duh! Yes, I suppose it would. (laughing at myself)



Well, if a new box has not changed anything maybe the pump's hydraulic pressure isn't getting to the box where it can be put to use. I don't know the hose routing or pressure schematic by heart but I'll be looking at it this evening.



Stay tuned... .



EEE