Recently I've noticed that my truck is somewhat harder to steer. Not like a completely dead PS pump where you have to muscle the wheel to get anything-- just somewhat harder. I also think that braking is slightly harder too which makes me think its the PS pump.

I pulled off the reservoir cap and fluid was on the low side, so I topped it off but didn't do the jack/bleed process since I added so little. I left the cap off, started the engine, and I saw little to no movement in the fluid-- pretty sure I read that I should see some, but I can find the thread again.

Any advice? Should I just go ahead and swap the pump? I'm going to try to trace all of the lines tonight after work to see if there's a pinch.

 

Do you have vacuum boost for your brakes? Or is it hydra-boost? (I didn't think anything got hydra-boost, 'cept the diesels.....)

 

You're right, it is vacuum so the brakes thing is a red herring. Not sure why I thought it was hydraulic. This isn't a daily driver, so I'm probably just getting confused with the force needed on my wife's car which I drive 90% of the time (and even then only a few times a week).

 

I recommend simply doing a fluid flush with new fluid. Should make a difference if your fluid is old and dark.