Wish I had a solid front axel but they dont........

 

I recently purchased a 2000 Dodge Durango sport 5.2L V8 2wd, there is no power steering. I put some fluid in and it seem to hold well but not not have any affect on the steering. Could this be a pump problem? I have been told that if the fluid ran bone dry that I could try "priming" it by turn the wheel far left and then to the right trying to draw the fluid in there? any suggestions would be helpful.

 

polyboy, That is the correct process to prime... sorta.

IIRC, you need to crank the wheel lock to lock a dozen times with the vehicle OFF while someone is watching the levels to top of and let you know when to stop prior to overflow or sucking air again. It is quite the time consuming and arm tiring exercise. If there are bubbles and the 10th, 11th, 12th, then top of fluid, start the D for a moment, shut off and repeat the lock to lock turning with the vehicle off once again for another dozen takes. Sux but necessary. Mine took 3 cycles to get it right.

You may do all of that just to find a fluid leak or that your pump is shot. Worthy of the excercise first before spending the time and money on a replacement that may not be needed after all.

HTH,

IndyDurango

 

the fsm calls for 20 cycles (40 if you have a ps fluid cooler) lock to lock (start all the way left, go all the way right, all the way left = 1 cycle) with the engine off in order to push fluid through the system, when i did this write up i got it working fine first time through.

do you know how long the pump has been dry?

 

SS,

+1. I have a cooler and felt like it took me 3x12 for 36 cycles to get it to feel right and pump fluid only. That certainly matches up to your FSM 40 cycles closely.

It is a laborious task.

indyD

 

Bah, I hate that keep the engine off part to bleed it, but I don't wanna screw up the gearbox or pump. I suppose if I just replace and fire it up and bleed with the engine going I'm going to risk burning up something, eh?

Yeah, ok I'll skip that. That's one lesson I've learned about working on cars: patience and do it right the first time, unless you enjoy doing the same repair over, lol!

That however, makes it more difficult for a lazy guy such as myself, since I can't just use the ramps! But great write-up, weather depending, I'll be replacing this line myself in a couple weeks.

I would now, but being broke until payday, I don't want to risk me damaging something else and not having $$$ to fix it if I do!

That's a lesson hard learned and really it should be DIY auto repair lesson #1, make sure you can afford more parts (and/or tools) before working on anything!

hehe

 

Hello. excellent write up. is the process the same for the 98-99 model years? I have a 99 slt.

 

Its similar, but more basic. 99's didn't have rack and pinion steering or a pressure sensor on the line.

 

When you replaced the line did it come with that stupid plastic spacer that goes inside the back of the pump and sits between the line and the pump? My wife's completely disintegrated on me when I replaced the pump and ow I have a small leak and can of find a other.

 

there was a rubber spacer between the lines at the steering rack. i left it off when i put the new lines on because it was holding moisture on the lines causing them to rust, its just there to slience them from vibrating together and is not really necessary, and does not hurt to have it missing.

if you are referring to something else im not following it.