Over the past year I've replace the pump twice, the hydraulic assist , various tie rods, grease the pinions, replace steering gear box I still have a problem

After the last fix, steering box, pump and steering tie rods I didn't notice (really didn't want to admit to myself it was back!) that after driving oh maybe 1/2 an hour if I'm stopped the steering is almost like I have no power steering. It may jerk a little. This is at a dead stop. Moving it seems to be working enough that I can't tell one way or the other.

When I start up a cold engine the steering is fully powered at a dead stop!

The hydraulic assist, steering gear box and steering pump are refurbished units sold by Rock Auto an online outfit.

The mechanic on the last installation sold me on the idea to use transmission fluid in the steering system. Why, because here in Central America normal steering fluid isn't designed for the heat here?

It is my impression that heat or warm steering fluid is the problem. Yes I hear a groan from the pump but shouldn't I hear something?

 

are you running a power steering oil cooler on the system? does the fluid look grey/dirty?

 

Sounds like my recent issues. I replaced my pump and box and used the ATF that was recommended and I hear a whine turning, no power steering after it warms up, and yesterday it actually cut out a little right after a cold start.

 

2001 ram 2500 4x4 SLT. Does it come with a cooler? Where would the cooler be located, up front wedged in with the radiator? Haven't checked the fluid since the last install 3 months ago. Will check

 

yelp. Eventually the pump fails completely. My last pump maybe had 1000 miles on it before I had to replace it and now it seems like its only going to fail again sometime in the near future

 

Cooler is actually under the radiator, on the drivers side. If you lay under the truck, you should be able to see it. If your truck has the tow package, or the heavy duty package, or the plow package, it should be there.

 

Thats funny, last year when I replaced my steering gear, I changed fluid from ps to atf, because it was recomended, and now I too have a growl coming from the pump?? I'm changing back to regular ps fluid when I replace my pump here in the near future. I can recall it making a noise when it was hot out too. I wonder if it could be because of a slight mix of the 2? Hmmm

 

Power steering coolers, like the ones from the factory, are pretty tiny and probably just good enough for factory sized tires. Having problems with power steering pumps should be considering a larger cooler.

 

There's a chance your cooler is plugged too. When you replaced the pump did you flush the lines? Upgrading to a new/larger cooler certainly wouldn't hurt.

What year is your truck?

Mine is a 99 and in the service manual it specifically says NOT to use ATF+4 in it. It says do not top off with atf+4 or replace with it. I was told by the local Chrysler dealer to use regular power steering fluid for our trucks.

 

Sorry but I don't believe that about the coolers. Most trucks never came with one unless they had the packages Heyyou mentioned. And there have been thousands of these trucks running 35s without issue. I believe we are all suffering from crappy 'rebuilt' pumps that all the stores carry. Good thing I kept my original pump since I have never liked the Napa one I got. Getting a little bigger cooler is not going to help. These pumps are just like the new ones on 3rd and 4th gens and they come with 33s factory and turn like a dream.

I know the pumps like PS fluid which is supposed to be the same as ATF from what I've been told, but Redhead says ATF so damned if do, damned if don't.