Could the rattle be from a loose gear box?

 

So. When they were putting the truck in the bay this morning, the pump failed and the steering locked up solid. This was a new factory oem pump from dodge that was installed no more than 2 weeks ago. I'm completely stumped. If anybody has any idea, I'd greatly appreciate it. I can't for the life of me figure out what's wrong with it.

 

Anybody?

 

Is this a solid front axle with reticulating ball steering or rack and pinion?
If reticulating ball---like the 2500's, 3500's

Most likely the valving in the gear box is the culprit---may have seized because the PS fluid may have become old, and one of the valve spools got stuck, which may have caused excessive high pressure and heat in the pump and ultimatly seized.

The rattle you heard could very well have been a relief poppet cycling keeping something from exploding---like a line or casting.

At this point I'm only guessing because I really don't know what under your truck

My 2500 is reticulating ball------no rack.

 

I asked about rack and pinion, and was told that it doesn't have it. They replaced the gear box, and there's a new pump and fluid reservoir being installed on Monday.

 

I assume since its a mega cab, it has a solid front axle most likely a reticulating ball---same as mine.

Either way, you'll have a whole new steering system. It's a good idea to change the fluid every couple of years on these as they do wear it out.

 

Well, the pump and reservoir were replaced. Everything was working and sounding good. When they reversed it down off the ramp, within minutes, the steering locked up. I really have no more ideas left....

 

Did the shop clear all the lines and perhaps use compressed air to possibly push out some blockage.

Nothing else makes any sense unless they used the wrong fluid, ATF+4 is specified

Man, I hope they get this figured out for you---there really isn't that much to the system

 

Yeah, they did all that. Also I should mention that there is a certified dodge mechanic working on it. Found out today that the steering gear box that was supposed to be installed last week, wasn't, as it didn't fit. They took a gear box off a 2007 mega cab, and are going to install it tomorrow. Hopefully this fixes the problem. Being a used part off another vehicle, and with 71+ OEM steering gears On backorder, I'm wanting to purchase a new one. Any suggestions? I hear Redhead has good stuff, but will they have them in stock/ship to Canada?

Thanks everyone

 

I

really don't know about Redhead

As far as the avail and ship, give em a call

I've got 160K on mine now without any problem, flushed it once when it started growling but no problems since