Hello all! I hope everyone is well.

Well, I think my newly purchased beauty (99 Ram 1500 Sport 4X4 5.9L) has contracted a very serious poltergiest! On the way home today, I was making some manuvers around in a parking lot when the power steering started making a high pitch whine or groan and the steering wheel began to get harder to move with every turn. After a few turns, the power steering assist was not assisting me at all and it took every ounce of strength from my feeble arms to get the truck out of the way of traffic! The noise only happened when turning the wheel. I shut the truck off and checked the power steering fluid: full. I topped it off anyway. I started the truck back up and gave it some gas and misteriously, the power steering assist started coming back! After a few more seconds it felt "normal" again and I was able to make it home without any further issues.

I do notice that when turning the wheel very far either direction (to make a tight turn), the whining/groaning noise happens. When the wheels return to center, it goes away. Is this power steering system failing? Could it be pump or steering box?

Any ideas? I'm pretty handy with a wrench but I'm used to Fords. I gotta learn all the Chrystler "quirks.

Thank you very much in advance for any suggestions!

-Shane

 

FIRST CHECK FOR LEAKS IF NONE REPLACE PUMP

 

Yea, looked for leaks. Didn't find any. Pump eh? Well, hopefully that's easier than a steering box to replace. Any pointers or tips that I should watch out for?

Thank you for the reply!

Also, the truck is sitting on a 4" suspension lift and wearing 33X12.50 "shoes." Should I just dump the extra cash a go for a "performance" pump to keep from blowing more stock/reman pumps in the future?

 

*bump

Anyone know whether or not an OEM/reman pump can handle 33X12.5 tires? If not, I don't want to waist the money on one only to have it go out again in a month.

Thanks in advance!!!

-Shane

 

A properly working stock system can handle that and bigger tires.

Try a young priest and an old priest. My guess is that the pump is failing.

 

Aim,
I think that one was wasted...but I got it! And I'm not usually to quick!

Yeah, your pwr. strng. pump is trying to warn you. $50 + some new fluid (flush system) and move on.
Tips?
Not necessary, but thanks anyway.
WC

 

Thanks again guys! Factory reman it is.

I called a preist this morning, but he said he didn't do trucks. Must be one of those "light duty" preists.