2500 Ram extended cab, 1999 4WD. While backing a horse trailer last Summer, we heard a pop and lost power steering with fluid leaking. We were out of town so called AAA and had it towed to shop where they replaced power steering pump. About 2 months later, we noticed loss of power steering again with fluid leaking - after a lot of research, we noticed that there were two red plastic plugs on power steering pump that should have been replaced with bolts when it was installed, so we replaced them and issue was fixed. (Shop that did original repair is hundreds of miles away so not feasible to take it back for warrenty repair!). Anyhow, no further issues until this weekend when, again, backing up horse trailer - "pop" again and loss of power steering and fluid leaking! Is this just bad luck with power steering pump, bad repair by shop or is there something else we need to be looking at? Both times, this happened when backing our horse trailer around to turn it and wheel was cranked around? Want to hear any suggestions before we replace the pump again!!! Thanks everyone!

where is the PS pump leaking at? is it blowing a hose or blowing out the internal seals of the pump itself.

red plugs? i'd expect there to be only 2 threaded holes for the hoses to attach. those would have red plugs installed to seal the holes during shipping and installation. but without those plugs removed and the lines attached, it wouldn't work. i'm confused.

PS pumps are not overly expensive. i'd get one from your local parts store with a lifetime warrranty. check Advance. buy online, get 20% or so discount, pick up in store. any chance your replacement has a lifetime warranty registration from previous repair? doubtful.

welcome to DF.