2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Stiff Steering On 2000

[GCULP]

A friend of mine has a 2000 Dodge 2500, he rebuilt the power-steering pump last spring because it was leaking. He used the rebuild kit others on here have used and I believe is now available through Geno's. Anyway, the other day I drove his truck and noticed it was really tough to steer, and today he called to say he could no longer turn the wheels unless he was moving. He checked all the fluids and lines, they're fine, he also noticed when he tried to steer it, he could feel it in the brake pedal. I know the power steering also runs into the master cylinder, is his pump going bad?

 

[jelag]

If he's having brake problems as well, and it takes more pedal pressure to brake there's a good chance the pressure is low... Can we assume that he flushed the complete system with clean fluid before installing the new pump... . otherwise the dirt in the system would damage a rebuilt pump in a short amount of time...

All it takes is a pressure gauge to test it... .

I assume that the belt is not slipping... .

 

[DPrew]

Priming the pump is extremely important as well. I had a shop install a new pump in my truck and they f'd it up. They filled up the reservoir, started the truck, turned the wheel a few times and claimed it was ready to go. By not turning the wheel back and forth a bunch of times before they started the truck they immediately burned up the new pump. The truck was hard to steer when I picked it up and the problem only got worse. If you rev up the truck and it gets easier to steer it's the pump. The guys at AGR had me rev up my truck and sure enough it turned better.

I would recommend getting a PSC hi flow pump and steering cooler. PSC pumps come with the drive cog pressed on. AGR will sell you a pump with a drive cog but it costs extra. You do not want to try to remove and install the drive cog. I had multiple mechanics brake pullers trying to remove it and then screw up the pump trying to get the gear pressed back on again. The hi flow pumps make steering much easier at slow speeds or while at a stand still.

 

[GAmes]

The fix could be easy, but a little messy.



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

 

[BDaugherty]

I used to have a 2000 automatic that was hard to steer like that. Trying to steer while on the brakes was even worse. I sent my pump to PSC for a rebuild and upgrade. It was the best mod ever. I highly recommend doing the same. Also, while the pump is off, drain as much oil from the system as you can. After putting the new pump on, run it and change the oil a couple times to help get any trash or burned oil out of the system. Also, only use power steering fluid. Do not use ATF, regardless of what you may have heard.