hey guys im looking for a little help, i just bought this truck, its a 2000 dakota 3.9 two wheel drive. after having it for 2 days my power steering pump just started pouring out fluid, not sure where it was coming from i bought a new pump and reservoir, and also replaced both lines high pressure and return. i did this all thursday night. It drove perfect until yesterday. It started with the steering wheel kind of pausing on me when i would turn it would stick for half a second, then i heard a slight hum a couple time. i parked it thinking maybe im just working the fluid in, after being parked for an hour or two i got in to leave and the steering was really tough, not as if there was no fluid more of just half ***. really tight. theres no noise coming from it and seems to be no leaks. so i guess my question is A. what is the correct location of the return and high pressure lines going in to the r&p, and B. does this sound like my r&p is going bad and ruining my new pump.

 

I will move this to the 2nd generation Dakota sub-forum.

 

check the intermediate shaft between the steering wheel and the rack the small u joints are notorious for going bad check it first by sparying it down with a good spray lube if it fixes it replace the shaft if not move on from there

 

I am about to replace my power steering pump as well. Any pointers?

 

Turned out to be air in the line. I didn't really look up how to do the fluid just kinda assumed, in another forum someone posted the factory service manual on how to do it. I drained my fluid a d followed it to the t. That's my best advice.

This is from the FSM:

POWER STEERING PUMP - INITIAL OPERATION
WARNING: THE FLUID LEVEL SHOULD BE CHECKED WITH ENGINE OFF TO PREVENT INJURY
FROM MOVING COMPONENTS.
CAUTION: Use MOPAR Power Steering Fluid or equivalent. Do not use automatic transmission fluid
and do not overfill. Wipe filler cap clean, then check the fluid level. The dipstick should indicate COLD when the fluid is at normal temperature.

(1) Turn steering wheel all the way to the left
(2) Fill the pump fluid reservoir to the proper level and let the fluid settle for at least two (2) minutes.
(3) Raise the front wheels off the ground.
(4) Slowly turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock 20 times with the engine off while checking the fluid level.

NOTE: Vehicles with long return lines or oil coolers turn wheel 40 times.

(5) Start the engine. With the engine idling maintain the fluid level.
(6) Lower the front wheels and let the engine idle for two minutes.
(7) Turn the steering wheel in both direction and verify power assist and quiet operation of the pump. If the fluid is extremely foamy or milky looking, allow the vehicle to stand a few minutes and repeat the procedure.

CAUTION: Do not run a vehicle with foamy fluid for an extended period. This may cause pump damage.

 

Awesome! Thanks for posting that up. I was just going to go for it, seems that would not have been the best idea.