power steering problem
power steering problem
It's not that the power steering doesn't work. It's the opposite, it works too well. In fact, it drives like a bumper car. I have NO feedback in the wheel and the steering is Very sensitive. In that it takes no pressure to turn the wheels. I stiff breeze could make it take a U turn. I have never seen this before. Any idea what could be causing this?
Also. It is a 1995 1500, 4x4, 5.9L, 3" coil spacers, 35" MT's
Also. It is a 1995 1500, 4x4, 5.9L, 3" coil spacers, 35" MT's
Did this come on gradually, or all of a sudden? Have you hit any good-sized bumps lately?
As someone else said, it could be the toe-in; each tire continually trying to steer your truck in a different direction, making for a very dodgy (no pun intended) situation where it won't track straight very well, and turns at the slightest steering input.
Look for abnormal wear on the front tires. If you can borrow an infrared heat gun you could see if the edges of the tires are running abnormally warm even if they haven't started to wear yet.
Also, are those MT's bias ply? If so, make sure the pressure isn't low, or hasn't been low for extended periods. I've read that bias plies are more susceptible than radials to tread separation and shifting if they're run at low pressure. Feel around them for anything unusual.
As someone else said, it could be the toe-in; each tire continually trying to steer your truck in a different direction, making for a very dodgy (no pun intended) situation where it won't track straight very well, and turns at the slightest steering input.
Look for abnormal wear on the front tires. If you can borrow an infrared heat gun you could see if the edges of the tires are running abnormally warm even if they haven't started to wear yet.
Also, are those MT's bias ply? If so, make sure the pressure isn't low, or hasn't been low for extended periods. I've read that bias plies are more susceptible than radials to tread separation and shifting if they're run at low pressure. Feel around them for anything unusual.
Last edited by John D in CT; Jan 4, 2011 at 08:43 PM.
This has been like this since I bought the truck. This was a fixer upper and has just recently gotten on the road. I got my VA State inspection and an alignment last week. I was thinking that it was the toe in as well.
Since the alignment it handles better, but still pretty bad. The only thing the alignment did is help it go in a straight line.
The tires came off of my F150. They handled fine on there for 20K till I sold it. But, there are no signs of abnormal wear or cracking with them.
The only thing abnormal is that when I got it the PS pump was dry. I filled it up, but it has a slow leak. Basically it drives like the PS pump is cranked up 10 notches too high.
Since the alignment it handles better, but still pretty bad. The only thing the alignment did is help it go in a straight line.
The tires came off of my F150. They handled fine on there for 20K till I sold it. But, there are no signs of abnormal wear or cracking with them.
The only thing abnormal is that when I got it the PS pump was dry. I filled it up, but it has a slow leak. Basically it drives like the PS pump is cranked up 10 notches too high.
After reading your post about the bone-dry PS pump, I'm with HeyYou that it just might be the problem. The pump uses a relatively complex system of poppets and valves to give a good "road feel". It just sounds like yours is shot. It's leaking anyway; throw a new or rebuilt pump on, and your problem just might go away.
Last edited by John D in CT; Jan 6, 2011 at 02:28 PM.
Just wanted to post that i finally got around to replacing the PS Gear Box with one from a junk yard.
That fixed it. Not sure if the replacement has any leaks since I spilled the better part of a quart all over the engine bay getting the old one off.
That fixed it. Not sure if the replacement has any leaks since I spilled the better part of a quart all over the engine bay getting the old one off.