The last two weeks I've had issues that are now getting worse. Started off as no symptoms at all, until I slowed down to pull into Mc Donalds and got to about 10mph and wheel is a instant bear to turn, I had to put a good portion of my 230 lbs into turning it, not your typical no power steering situation...way harder. It then seems to get better as I'm in drive and from a take off it will work once RPM's are up.

Last night I ditched my truck at 55mph around a corner when it unexpectedly became hard as a rock to turn around the corner and I just barely nicked the ditch line and it pulled me right in. Thank God for Wisconsin snow to cushion the impact and me and the truck are safe as a result. After this incident it appears the pump shot its wad almost completely and mildly works at speed.

I know people have said the racks are suspect on these trucks, but I've so far just had issues with the power steering pumps. Its whining away and pump is full. What commonly would fail on the rack? symptoms? I think its the pump that failed because it got better with RPM.

 

Racks leak at the seals. Sounds like a pump.

 

Thanks! Thats what I'm thinking as well. I've never had a rack go out on me before so I really don't know what to expect with that as far as exact symptoms, most vehicles I've owned have been pretty service & trouble free on the rack & pinnion. The pump is the easiest thing to service and its got a bad track record so I figure I'll start there, but glad you agree that it sounds like the pump instead of rack.