Ok so I was doing a few 360's around the trucks axis and when I came out of it I noticed that my power steering was not working very well. After further investigation I found that it looked like there was a bit of a fresh spray on the power steering cooler. And when I drove it the steering worked fine above about 1300 rpm which makes sense because the pump is being turned faster. When the Rpm's drop below that it bcomes like the the truck doesn't have any power steering at all. I don't believe that the belt is slipping (no squeaking), The fluid needed to be topped off but it wasn't too low to begin with. Is this a sign of a failing pump or something else. Hopefully its not that because it is bloody cold outside (-20F). Or could the cold itself be a problem? Thanks. I Also have read the trouble shooting in the dakota manual on power steering, I was wondering what you all thought.

 

have you ever flushed your p/s system, also does the system work better once the truck/ steering fluid is warmed up ive had problems with this when it is extremely cold 10F or so but this was due to old fluid...or at least this is what fixed my problem

-travis

 

Hellow all, my son was doing the same as Dakota driver and the same thing happened.His was leaking fluid around the pump,so I replaced it.Man am I haveing trouble bleeding this thing.Lots of air and bubbling over the top with cap off.Is it just a time thing or any tips? Thanks Upper