Weak Power Steering?

[LStanphill]

MY POWER STEERING WONT WORK UNLESS IM MOVING. . I'VE RECENTLY PUT 35X12. 50X16. 5 BFG A/T TIRES ON, BUT MY OLD FORD NEVER HAD A PROBLEM. . IS THIS A COMMON PROBLEM OR WHAT? 01' QUAD CAB 4X4 6SPEED

 

[jkern]

i have the same problem... but first you should never turn the wheels sitting still. that is the fastest way to tear up a steering system and cause excessive play and wear in the componets.



my power steering is very weak at an idle, like backing in and out of parking spaces, etc. it is really hard to turn.

 

[kbond]

powersteering

I have the same problem and was going to post today about it. With mine though it is off and on. Seems when its cold out it may be worse. I had a 2000 1500 Ram 4x4 that did the same. I would assume bigger tire's may worsen the situation a bit at stand still. Sounds like a nice setup though. Do you have any Pics? I have a set of Skyjacker 5" coils that I am going to install once I build my control arms etc... Was thinking about running 35x12. 50's 16. 5s. I like the tires because they are much quieter then the Bias swamper.

 

[LStanphill]

no pics. I dont have the problem on concrete or at home on gravel/dirt roads, just on asphalt. I know u shouldnt "static turn", but if u r backing a trailer in a tight space or doing a 3 point turn, it chokes up. . A buddy of mine has the same set up on his ford and I can turn his wheel with a pinky finger on asphalt. I'll check with my dealer service dept and post a reply. maybe there is some upgrade kit 4 it. .

 

[Todd T]

you budies ford doesnt have an 850lb engine up front either.



with the weight of these trucks the CG (center of gravity) has to be under the firewall or there abouts.

 

[RBSOB]

Glad, in a way, to hear my '01 auto 4x4, with only 285s, is not the only one. Now that I think about it, did the same thing with stock tires. I would call it a brief "dead spot" in power, especially in a stop, back- in manuver Jim G.

 

[Floor It]

I took mine into the dealer last week for the same thing. They said that they didnt find anything wrong, so I asked to speak to the service MGR. , he told me straight up that he knew what I was talking about and that other owners had complained about the same thing and even replaced a guys pump 3 times to prove to him that there was nothing they could do for it. He said that it is the way it was designed and then if your using the brakes it would be worse, he says the pump does not put out enough pressure. The power steering on these trucks suck IMO.

 

[Snow man]

If you think its bad now,mine has 285 tires,and a 930 lb plow,after 12 hrs of plowing,my hands are worn raw from tugging on the wheel,it feels like manual steering 1/2 the time.

 

[TREEMAN]

Mine too ,& at first I thought it was the cold but like KBond said ,it is on & off,& I dont remember it being like this last winter. Maybe if the dealer doensnt do anything it is time to add synthetic,anyone had good results iwth that?

Ian

 

[Snow man]

I wonder if there is a way to raise the pressure up a little bit. I think the engine is just so heavy,combined with the slow turning power steering pump,driven at 1/2 engine speed of the gears of the front cover. Funny how all the Gm stuff in out trucks,brakes,steering is junk.

 

[mbrolin]

This has been an ongoing problem with these powersteering pumps. Even with the 12Vs. The problem is not enough centrifical force at idle to force the fluid in motion. Rev the idle up and the steering will work fine.

 

[LSMITH]

I do not have a plow or a winch or a big bumper, but I do have 285's and no trouble at all static turning if I need to. My power steering is good, I have no complaints at all.



There is a pressure relief valve in the system, but I do not know if or how to adjust it. I would think the FSM would cover it?

 

[Steve Campbell]

Hey Snowman, what size are your biceps these days



Looks like someone is going to start a thread on bombing the power steering pump one of these days. (Drill out the banjo bolts, install a pusher pump closer to the tank, Stiffer spring in the govenor..... )

 

[Snow man]

LOL,Im starting to look like Popeye the sailer.

 

[LStanphill]

Is there an aftermarket upgrade available to boost power steering power? reving the engine does not help. anyone know of any tsb's out to remedy this? my loser friends with their underpowered 7. 3L Ford p. o. s. trucks finally have something to brag about. . LS