hi there i have a 1999 dodge dakota 3.9 4x4 and i just replaced the power steering pump and hoses. i find when im sitting still and try to turn my wheel its really hard to turn.but when you give it gas it seems to be fine. i also fined when you are driving it is okay but when you let of the gas the wheel stiffens up. what could be causeing this??????????????? any answers will help and how do i fix it

 

make sure you used the right fluid and proper level, make sure your serpentine belt and tensioner are ok. My old 88 dakota does the same exact thing but I think the pump is just weak because it makes alot of noise.

 

all that seems to be good,what else could it be

 

i think dodge makes or imports one of the most piece of crap power steering pumps on the market.

 

how hard is it to turn the wheel while sitting still?.. for one the engine at idle isnt turning the steerling pump at average speed to create average pump pressure, test the pump by turning the steering wheel while running the engine at 1500 rpms in park/neutral ( overall average engine speed crusing on the highways, especially for diesels), and second of all, the wheels not in motion will only cause more resistance since rubber tires have very little give on asphalt.. plus make sure you bled the system of air properly according to the " factory service manual"... easiest way to do it IMO

 

First of all, check the fluid. Level will drop as system is bled. Second, make sure, as fox said and make sure you bled it thoroughly. I have seen some that take quite a while to bleed thoroughly. Third, check belt tension. Fourth, double check for any leaks and restrictions in the lines.

If all these are good the next few times you try to drive it......... then more than likely bad pump.

Good Luck!!

 

first of all the tires are turning on snow and not ashphalt, and second can someone please run me through on how to bleed the system the proper way. this is the second pump that i put on in 2 days. I know that something is not right because when you rev it up to about 1500rpm the steering is really easy to turn but when you dont rev it up it seems to be very stiff

 

i know that there is something not right here

 

http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:...&client=safari

 

could it be something in the power steering box????? how i bled the system was i filled up the resivroir and i started the vehicle and made it idle around 1500 for about a minute,then i toped up the fluid and started to turn the wheeel back and forth about 20 time at normal idle.then i put the cap back on. does the front of the truck need to be in the air in order to bleed the system>??????????????????