Jump to content

Power Steering Problems


Recommended Posts

I noticed the other day on a 30 min trip down the hwy that my steering got stiff when I went to exit after driving about 30 miles. Came to a stop and seemed fine. Then wheeled a little on a buddy's land and it was fine also. On the way back the same thing happened after 30 mins of driving when I went to get on my exit. I replace the power steering pump, hoses, pull, and gear box about 500 miles ago. I replaced the gear box with a 1999 Durango box though. We'll i fig the power steering pump was going to went ahead and got another under warranty and put it on today. We'll went up and down the hwy a few times and same thing. But now it's almost completely no steering. Any ideas. Another burned up pump?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We'll checked the fluid and look at this. Put new clear fluid in it with the new pump and it looks like this. Also looks like it has a sparkle...... Only thing I can think of is somthing in the gearbox is throwing metal shavings through the pumps and burning them up.....

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Seems kind of weird for them to only act up once in a while, my experiences with bad power steering pumps are they whine like crazy and or leak and the power assist goes along with it, is there excess play in the steering? I'd stick a magnet in the fluid and see if it actually IS metal shavings then I guess there would be nothing left but maybe a new gear box and a good flush,,, just my 2 cents.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I will do that first thing in the morning. This whole ordeal has just stressed me out enough for the day. I am suppose to go to the deer lease Friday 3 hours away with the truck..... Oh we'll nothing else I can do for the night so sounds like a good time to call it quits and make a bourbon and relax for the rest of the night....

 

My though on the pump is if the gear box is throwing metal shavings through the system it will all have to be replaced. I know most power steering pumps have inline filters in them I believe, my guess is that the shavings are clogging up the filter or pump keeping fluid from circulating at low rpms. But yes I am not getting any whining and what not...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree if there's air in the system it will kill you power assist, I replaced a PS pump and pressure hose on my step sons accord and spent about an hour and a half pulling my hair out because i couldn't "bleed" the air out turns out the o ring from the suction side of the pump had gotten crimped,,,, took 10 seconds to fix :doh: 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Why change to the Durango Gear box? It's gearing is higher (3 turns vs 3.3 on stock from stop to stop). It does have a larger piston but I'm wondering if the reduction in gearing would counter the strength "upgrade". Would it technically increase the torque required at the steering wheel, or am I missing something because of the hydraulics?

 

 

Just looking at if the additional $60 between them for a re-manufactured is worth it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It will need to be spaced further from the frame. The stock aluminum spacer is not enough for the larger diameter. Also, if you don't mind opening it up you can increase the turning radius by removing a snap ring spacer on the one end and grinding a bit off the cover on the other end.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It will need to be spaced further from the frame. The stock aluminum spacer is not enough for the larger diameter. Also, if you don't mind opening it up you can increase the turning radius by removing a snap ring spacer on the one end and grinding a bit off the cover on the other end.

Yea I'm aware. The Durango box was already in it. I replaced everything and upgraded to the Durango box a few months ago. That's what all went bad, the remaned Durango box.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

is the belt contaminated? you didn't kick or smack any of the belt drive components during reassembly did you?,,,,see my other threads you'll see what I mean :laughin: throw some water on it while the engines running and the belt is squeaking, if the noise goes away for a little then comes back you have an alignment or slippage/contamination issue and you can rule out component bearings, I found out my belt was squeaking after I replaced my Harmonic Balancer and timing chain long story short while I was putting everything back together i kicked my PS pump assembly,bent the shaft and pulley just slightly,,,it was barely visible and spent almost a week scratching my head trying to figure out what the problem was.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

is the belt contaminated? you didn't kick or smack any of the belt drive components during reassembly did you?,,,,see my other threads you'll see what I mean :laughin: throw some water on it while the engines running and the belt is squeaking, if the noise goes away for a little then comes back you have an alignment or slippage/contamination issue and you can rule out component bearings, I found out my belt was squeaking after I replaced my Harmonic Balancer and timing chain long story short while I was putting everything back together i kicked my PS pump assembly,bent the shaft and pulley just slightly,,,it was barely visible and spent almost a week scratching my head trying to figure out what the problem was.

 

Gotta ask - how did you kick the PS assembly hard enough to bend the shaft?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That is a good question, I had the whole front end of the truck off grill, radiator, radiator support I wear steel toe boots and was Seriously pissed and wanted to get things back together before the sun went down,,, it's not fun working outside on a gravel drive way late at night and I had been at it since about 7:30 am,,, anyhow it wasn't very much I was able to verify the run out with my dayco belt alignment laser tool I was surprised myself.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...