Hey Guys,

I have an '08 SXT quad cab 4x4 4.7. My power steering crapped out on me last week, used Lucas P/S stop leak to hold me over until I could find the elusive re manufactured P/S pump from Napa as I went to the dealership in town and they had no reman's and only 1 brand new pump and it was in Alberta and was nearly $400 and I'm in Ontario. Anyways, I removed the old pump had the dealership remove the pulley (for free) and removed the reservoir. Got the new pump from Napa installed the O-ring into the pump where the reservoir connects to it and the O-ring at the high pressure line, had the dealership press the pulley back on and re installed the pump on the truck. I started it up and cranked my wheels from lock to lock probably 20 times to try and bleed the system, and she was quiet and good for about a day. She started squealing and groaning on me so I drained the fluid and added ATF+4 (as per owner's manual) and a little Lucas and then tried to bleed the system with the truck not started and went lock to lock about 30 times until she "burped" fluid from the reservoir and I thought all was well and she started making noises again not more than 10 minutes after. I'm at a loss and thinking I must have got a poorly re manufactured pump but wondering what you guys think if anyone can help. The fluid is foamy so I'm thinking I have air in the system somewhere, my lines aren't leaking and the rack seems to be fine had no issues with steering until my old pump blew a seal, the new pump doesn't grab or have any hard spots when I turn or anything just a constant whining/groaning when I'm on the gas turning AND in straight lines. Feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks!!

 

Reman pumps are hit and miss in my experience, kinda like reman alternators. If your fluid is frothy, it still has air in it. May take awhile to get it all out.

 

Awesome, thanks for the reply. How long should I give it to work the air out of the system?

 

You gotta get the air out. Putting a vacuum pump on it will usually help.
DO NOT use engine vacuum.

 

Well, just replaced the replacement pump from Napa, no questions asked. New one is a hell of a lot quieter and no foam as of yet. Quite an easy job save for the pulley which I had pulled off and pressed on by the dealership free of charge. If anyone is wondering I bled it with the wheels off the ground for about 15 turns of the wheel to each side engine and reservoir cap OFF, kept checking the fluid and adding as needed. I then started the truck, wheels still off the ground and reservoir cap off and turned wheels about another 15 times each side adding ATF+4 as needed. The high pressure line used 2 different sized o-rings 1 small one on the line itself and a larger one that goes in the pump where the line goes into it and there is a little white plastic circular retainer(?) and o-ring that goes on the pump where it attaches to the reservoir. The bolts on the pump are 13mm I used a 1/2" ratchet, the high pressure line I used a 16mm stubby wrench, the fan shroud is also 13mm and the tensioner is a 15mm. All in all the job of removing and installing the pump takes about a half hour and that's with some know-how. If anyone has questions feel free to ask and I'll do my best to help. I searched high and low for vehicle specifics for the 3rd gen Dakota and they are all but non-existent.
Thanks guys for your reply's!