Steering issue '91 MJ

[Motorhead X]

Hello Everyone,

 

I was driving along and all of sudden my power steering felt like it was quitting. I expected to find a fluid leak, but there was no signs of any. This year I had the power steering pump replaced (which is full of fluid and seems to be operating) and also the steering damper. The belt is tight and tires are inflated. The steering is heavy and having some resistance. Any suggestions?

 

Thanks

[eaglescout526]

Which engine? 2.5L or 4.0L?

[Motorhead X]

4.0

[AZJeff]

Instantaneous loss of almost all power boost on the steering is usually traced to either low fluid, or an obstruction in the hydraulic lines.  It is EXTREMELY rare to have the steering gear proper go from providing normal boost to no boost in very short order.

 

Is the fluid CLEAN?  Maybe you can start by trying to flush the system.

[Motorhead X]

2 hours ago, AZJeff said:

Instantaneous loss of almost all power boost on the steering is usually traced to either low fluid, or an obstruction in the hydraulic lines.  It is EXTREMELY rare to have the steering gear proper go from providing normal boost to no boost in very short order.

 

Is the fluid CLEAN?  Maybe you can start by trying to flush the system.

Thank you. I will do a system flush. The fluid is full and is still fairly clean since it was changed out recently, but...

 

I watched a YT video the other day of a mechanic removing a small plastic oil change sticker from the intake screen of an oil pan feeder tube on an F-150. It was blocking full oil flow and from the looks of it had been doing so for around 200k miles.

 

You never know what could be clogging up a system and especially since I had work done recently with a new power steering pump.