Just wondering if anyone can offer me any advice on a power steering fluid leak. I heard a little humming from the steering the other day, and discovered that the power steering fluid resevoir was empty, so i refilled it. All my years of driving, I've never had a power steering resevoir go empty.
Couple of months ago, I had power steering fluid leaking from underneath the vehicle, so i took it to the dealer who said it was one of the hoses. I assumed that took care of the problem, but i guess it didn't.
Anyone have any suggestions?

 

The power steering fluid leak needs to be fixed by the dealorship. It is a TSB. Technical Service Bulletin. You can look them up somewhere online or a OnDemand computer program. Its a known problem with dodge rams. The dealor wont tell you unless you tell them. They are suppost to fix it for no fee you have to tell them the problem and you can show them its a TSB. Good luck. P.S. check your weather stripping along the inside of your door well where the front of the door meets the hood. See if its ripped or pitched. There is also a TSB on that too.

 

Hemi_n_Cali i checked the TSB bulletins on this forum, and only saw TSB's for engine cooling. And that was only for the 3.9LTR engine. I Saw nothing for Power steering.
If you can, could you either direct me to the exact location, or paste it in your reply. Thanks.

 

i checked on this forum under Dodge Recalls & TSBs and couldn't find anything under power steering fluid leaks. Any assistance would be helpful.

 

Do you know if they had to replace the Power Steering pump?

 

Had my 04 fixed for leaky PS hoses 2 days before warranty was up.
No advice,sorry

 

Just got off the phone with the dealership and, they stated that when they changed the hose last year, it's possible that air bubbles got into the system, which caused the fluid to drain into the system. I replaced the fluid because it was empty, So i guess i'll check it in a couple of days to see if its evaporating.

 

I just want to contribute to this thread, seeing as how I've had my truck in the shop 3 times for power steering problems.

First Problem: Went in because I noticed power steering fluid leaking all over my front stabilizer bar.
First Dealer Fix: They replaced power steering hoses and clamps.

Second Problem: Went in because my power steering completely died.
Second Dealer Fix: They replaced the power steering pump.

Third Problem: Went in because power steering died AGAIN.
Third Dealer Fix: They replaced the hoses, the pump, and the steering rack.


I was told by the service writer that power steering problems are quite common with these trucks. It may have something to do with the fact that I live in the cold cold north. All the problems mentioned above have taken place in the winter time. Gets to -40 here easy. Don't know exactly how much that has to do with it. Just thought I would mention.

I think that if you're having power steering problems, you should raise a little hell. Dealers by nature will take the quickest/easiest/cheapest way out of a problem. If replacing the hoses had kept the power steering working long enough for my warranty to expire, then I would have been back replacing the power steering pump, and power steering rack, with money out of my own pocket. Luckily it failed 3 times in a row... And was still covered by warranty. I just think it's bull**** they try to cheat everyone like that. And I had to be without my truck for several days.

While this is not what I would consider a major problem, it was still as hassle... I love my truck.

 

rob(GL) You've posted on many threads in the past, and i trust your input. Thanks for the input. Can you tell me, was there a time when your power steering resevoir was ever empty? The guy at the dealership seems o.k, but i have to remember that he works for the dealership, and if i can save his boss some money he will..He indicated that the fluid which was not in the resevoir, was somewhere in the power steering pump. Does this sound right?
One other thing you maybe able to answer for me. Being that they changed the hoses, thinking that the hoses were the problem, do you think i should request that they change the PS pump?

 

As I said, and you've re-iterated; Dealerships will take the cheapest/easiest way out of a problem... If they think they can just replace the hoses, and keep your truck going until it's out of warranty, then it's your problem and your $$$. I would tell them if it's not fixed properly, and you have to keep going back. Replace not only the hoses, but the pump, and possibly the rack.


Also, don't take my word as infallible, a lot of what I post is just bull****.

But in this case, I feel your pain, trust me. Don't argue with the service writer, but explain your situation, and let him know that it's a very common problem.

Print out the TSB or some of the posts from the forum if you have to.