Hey y'all, I've got a 97 ram 1500 v8 5.9l , and I'm having some trouble identifying an issue, which I thought originally was the power steering pump, but now I'm not so sure.

Basically, there's a loud groaning/whine which over the last few weeks has increased in volume. It gets louder when accelerating, and steady at idle.

It sounds like a failing power steering pump, but what is throwing me off is that turning the wheel doesn't effect the pitch or intensity of it, it all seems to be based on rpm speed.

I loosened up the serpentine belt today, and noticed that the pulley on the power steering pump has a lot of play, but turns smoothly so I don't think it's a bearing, however none of the symptoms of a bad power steering pump pulley are present.

The steering isnt tight at all, if anything, seems a bit loose, fluid levels are all fine.

Just today the rpms have started jumping pretty noticeably at idle too, which is just throwing me for a whirl even more.

if anyone has any ideas I'd appreciate it, thanks.

 

P/S pump pulley should not be loose in any way. I had mine sheer the shaft the pulley is pressed on to, and you couldn't tell it was broke, until you took the belt off, and gave it a little tug. Came right off in my hand. But, my p/s didn't work after it broke either..... (try maneuvering a 16" chipper backwards thru the woods like that.....)

Take the belt off, spin each pulley by hand. See if anything doesn't feel quite right.

 

You can also remove the belt n run the engine for a few minutes with only the crank spinning.