Repeated Power Steering issues- need help.
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Repeated Power Steering issues- need help.
Hey there,
Thanks for taking the time to read my story. I apologize it is a long one. I tried to keep it short.
My 2005 dodge Ram 1500 5.7 L only has 87k on it. It spent a lot of time sitting and as such the rust has begun.
It all started a few years ago, when I noticed a power steering leak from my hoses-but-Only when it was cold outside.
This made me very curious and angry... so I bought new hoses and replaced them. Really didn't occur to me that I installed them in warm weather, but they did not leak so I kept driving. Then the next winter came, and so did the leak. I thought, you've got to be kidding me? So I crawled under there in the cold and tightened all the hoses as tight as I could possibly get them for a 55 year old man. I also cleaned everything off. The leak seemed to be stopped, until a few days later... it returned.
To keep my story short, I messed with those hoses for weeks and could not get the leak to stop. So I bought a new Rack and Pinion, thinking the threads must be bad and causing it not to seal good? Yes I used the o rings and yes I lubed them first. After a new Rack and new hoses again with new o rings I was in business.
On a cross country run last year the power steering pump went out. Had it replaced by a good guy I met in SD for free. Made it home (1500 miles later) and noticed a whine or moan from the pump whenever I turn the wheel or put pressure on it. I figured he didn't get all the air out so I bled it the old fashioned way... engine off, wheels up, turn lock to lock several times keeping fluid full in reservoir. It helped but the moaning was still there. I have since replaced all the hoses and flushed the system completely. Bled it the old fashioned way moan still there. I then bought a vacuum pump and vacuumed the air out. I did this with the engine running and a helper turning the wheel lock to lock. Moan is still there and won't go away. I have since read that the Vacuum should only be used with engine off...?
Today I noticed a small leak from the PS fluid cooler. I have a new one coming this week.
Here's my questions; Is the PS Pump bad now from running it with air in it?
Could the Rack be bad also?
any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for taking the time to read my story. I apologize it is a long one. I tried to keep it short.
My 2005 dodge Ram 1500 5.7 L only has 87k on it. It spent a lot of time sitting and as such the rust has begun.
It all started a few years ago, when I noticed a power steering leak from my hoses-but-Only when it was cold outside.
This made me very curious and angry... so I bought new hoses and replaced them. Really didn't occur to me that I installed them in warm weather, but they did not leak so I kept driving. Then the next winter came, and so did the leak. I thought, you've got to be kidding me? So I crawled under there in the cold and tightened all the hoses as tight as I could possibly get them for a 55 year old man. I also cleaned everything off. The leak seemed to be stopped, until a few days later... it returned.
To keep my story short, I messed with those hoses for weeks and could not get the leak to stop. So I bought a new Rack and Pinion, thinking the threads must be bad and causing it not to seal good? Yes I used the o rings and yes I lubed them first. After a new Rack and new hoses again with new o rings I was in business.
On a cross country run last year the power steering pump went out. Had it replaced by a good guy I met in SD for free. Made it home (1500 miles later) and noticed a whine or moan from the pump whenever I turn the wheel or put pressure on it. I figured he didn't get all the air out so I bled it the old fashioned way... engine off, wheels up, turn lock to lock several times keeping fluid full in reservoir. It helped but the moaning was still there. I have since replaced all the hoses and flushed the system completely. Bled it the old fashioned way moan still there. I then bought a vacuum pump and vacuumed the air out. I did this with the engine running and a helper turning the wheel lock to lock. Moan is still there and won't go away. I have since read that the Vacuum should only be used with engine off...?
Today I noticed a small leak from the PS fluid cooler. I have a new one coming this week.
Here's my questions; Is the PS Pump bad now from running it with air in it?
Could the Rack be bad also?
any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Clayton MI
I haven't had much luck with replacement p/s pumps of late. Two were dead right out of the box, and the third one (different brand) worked, but, it's still loud. It wasn't precisely quiet when it was originally installed, and I also replace the rack, the lines, and the pump. (not on a dodge truck though....) It was *acceptable* at first, but, over the course of a couple weeks, it's gotten louder. To the point I am thinking of replacing the pump again.......