So i decide to go for a leisurely ride up a decent gravel road.... everything was working fine... shut off the truck, went for a walk... came back, fired up the truck and started driving. Soon after we start driving, i realize i have lost ALL power steering assist. I pulled over and checked everything out.... fluid was still maxed full... hoses and clamps all connected fine.... yet it's leaking a little from somewhere i can't figure out...... can't be leaking much, because i keep checking the fluid levels and it's full. The only sign of leakage i can see is some PS fluid on the PS box itself and lower down (where it's obviously dripping or getting sprayed to) on the chassis itself. I was just wondering if anyone could help me out as to where to start looking for the problem. The only thing i can come to realm with is that either a hose is plugged somewhere or the PS pump is completely shot .... otherwise ... wouldn't i be loosing much more fluid?? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

I had a leaky hose on an old truck of mine back in high school. We couldn't find it until I had a buddy of mine turn the wheel while I was looking under the hood (with the truck running). That's when it had enough pressure for me to be able to actually see where it was leaking. You may want to try that.

 

Well thx for the suggestion early regar. I just finished pulling the Power Steering pump off..... to find what u ask?!? .... the pulley shaft had snapped off inside the Power Steering pump itself.!! Doesn't seem like i'll be able to pull out the remainder of the shaft stuck inside the pump.... so i'll need a new pump and pulley assembly... But does anyone have any suggestions as to how this could have happened? The truck has just over 70K miles and is mostly city/highway driving.... along with the casual , light duty 4X4ing. I've never seen a pulley shaft like that snap off before.... Any help would be appreciated.

 

Pump locked up ... sheared the shaft off ... sh*t happens. I'm STILL scratching my head over how an oil pump can "wear out". Two gears immersed in lubricating oil ... who knows?

 

wouldn't that take alot of force to shear that shaft off?? wouldn't the belt ride over the jammed pulley easier than snapping a 1/2 steel shaft off? i just find it odd.... talked to Dodge out here and a few mechanics... and nobody's heard of such a thing happening.

 

And yet it did ... can't argue with reality ... well ... I know of a few people who do ... I happen to be married to one of them.[>:]