I was coming down a long grade today and threw it in neutral for a bit. The power steering went out. The truck was still on. It went very stiff to the point I thought that maybe the truck was off. So I put it back in 6th gear and steering came back immediately. I've had other manuals and I don't recall the power steering going out while coasting. Is this normal? Any ideas? Its a 2wd. I read about spraying the intermediate shaft on Dakotas. Seemed to be mostly 4wd issue though. Do 2wds have this

Now it it feels like power steering is working but it seems a bit tougher to turn than normal. This might be in my head though I'm not sure. Could be I'm just paying attention to it now and normally don't. Also feels harder to the right to me than left

 

Was the idle low?

 

Should have just been whatever the truck normal idles at in neutral I think

 

Figured it out. I filled the reservoir too full so it was messing up the pressure when hot. Working fine again.

 

thanks for posting the solution

 

no prob lol. we all make mistakes that we forget to check from time to time...