Looking for some opinions narrowing down an issue with my 2008 Ram. Steering is notchy/tight both ways but more so to the left and the wheel needs to be helped back to center especially on slow turns. New axles, all idler pulleys, tensioner, serpentine belt, outer tie rods, suspension, alignment, power steering flush/refill with the suggested Dodge/Chrysler fluid. Truck is not lifted and has the standard 20 inch rims with Goodyear all season tires. Additionally, when driving between 70 and 80mph there is a vibration which can be felt in the pedal and wheel and is accompanied by a whining/groaning noise which sounds like its coming from the left side of the engine compartment. It starts at 68/70 and if you push it further than 80 it's almost non-existent. The noise does get worse if the wheel is turned slightly to the left.

Not sure where to go next and looking for some guidance from the experts or those who may have experienced similar troubles. My thoughts so far are Steering rack, wheel bearing, steering column/shaft, power steering pump, ball joints, etc.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

It sounds like you've addressed all of the most likely sources of the problem.
My initial thought is that your power steering pump is not putting out enough pressure, or, there is a leak that is causing pressure loss.
Are you losing power steering fluid?
See if you can isolate the groaning noise. It may be coming from the power steering pump.
I recommend you get the front tires off the ground and on jack stands. Check for ball joint play.
With wheels off of the ground, start the truck, then turn the wheel full left and full right and see if you can replicate the groaning noise.
There is a tool for measuring power steering pump output, but it's a special tool and I don't know of a auto store that loans it. It's cheaper to buy a new pump than to try and find the tool or have the pump analyzed at a dealer.
If the pump seems OK, then take a look at your rack and pinion. The rack and pinion will usually leak if they go bad. Sometimes the leak is inside of the inner tie rod bellows. There are rebuild kits for the rack and pinion if you do find a leak.

 

I appreciate the reply. It does sound like a power steering groan but it threw me off since it was only doing it between 70 and 80. Other than that the pump if that's what it is, is quiet. Checked everything out and no leaks present anywhere. I'll get it off the ground as you mentioned and check out those ball joints. Do racks ever go bad internally with sticking points without presenting leaks?

 

The rack could be bad without leaking. I am thinking in order of easiest to hardest, with pump being easier than rack to replace. Once you know the pump is providing good pressure, only item left is the rack.
Groan at high speed could be because the pump is spinning faster.
If you get same symptoms with the wheels off the ground as you do on the road, then you know it's a system problem.

 

Thanks again. Any thoughts to the noise being a wheel bearing and this being two separate issues or does it sound as if they are related? I should've mentioned in my original thread, the first time I heard the groaning noise, at 70mph, it then immediately blew the serpentine belt and one of the idler pulleys. That's why i replaced all idlers, tensioner, and the belt. Everything is spinning normal it seems but maybe the power steering pump isn't engaging properly.

 

Wheel bearing could definitely give steering issues. You should be able to tell status of bearing when testing for ball joint play. I recommend getting the front end check done soon because wheel bearing failure can be catastrophic. Same for ball joint bearing failure.
You'll probably never know exactly why you tossed the belt. Could be due to idler pulley failure.
Check temp of your power steering pump housing next time you idle your truck for a few minutes.

 

Will get on it right away and hopefully getting front end off the ground gives some answers. I assume the pump should be warm but not hot?

 

That's what I'm thinking. I'm recommending you check that as a data point since it is difficult to test the pump without special tools.

 

Thanks. Will advise on how I make out.

 

I'd go with wheel bearing also as most likely.
Have the alignment rechecked. Mistakes happen.
Are the tires OEM width? Going with a wider tire can affect steering.
Are you talking about the brake pedal and not the gas pedal? I'm guessing all 2008 1500s are the same in that the gas pedal is no longer connected to the engine, it is only connect to the body and a potentiometer, so any vibration in the gas pedal would also be felt in the whole body of the truck. If the brake pedal, then it still makes the wheel bearing the prime thing to look at.