power steering just started acting up. first it doesn't seem to want to pressurize at start up then it does. then when you turn off the truck fluid come gussing out of the pump fill cap. it was doing the same thing a few months ago and i replaced the pump and it was fine until now. what could cause this. did i get a crappy rebulit pump that just didn't last a year? the previos owner has insalled 2 inline filters could they be wearing the pump out, vacuum problem, power steering box, . It's a real pain in the but to replace the pump contiously. any help or insight would b appreciated.

thanks
marcus

 

Does it leak anywhere? Air is entering the system from somewhere...I'll betchu a donut its somehow related to the filters.
if theres no visible leaks, possibly its a suction leak that occurs only at a certain temperature range or on a bumpy road.

 

If there is a leak, locate it. Thats the cause of the problem. The connections to the steering box could be the problem, mine used to leak from dirt being in between the new hoses and box. One of the new hoses installed by the previous owner... i noticed jerking while steering and after a few minutes the fluid would burst from under the cap, that would happen until all fluid was missing of course. then i had manual steering.

 

Check the return line for a suction leak.
Foaming means air is getting sucked in somehow.

 

i took my truck into a shop to get 2 new tires!
well they had good intentions when the topped up my power steering fluid
but the previous owner ran atf in it????
i had a foamy mess for weeks until it worked its self out!!!

 

jack the truck up in the front turn wheels to full lock either way. shut it down, fill up reservoir and do it again til the foaming is gone.

 

^^ In a lot of systems atf is an acceptable fluid to use^^ I go to wyotech and have taken all the diesel course (not saying I know everything by any means though). We were tought that 3 things could cause foamy fluid and cause it to come out of the reservior. First is obviously overfilling, second is air is entering the system either through a leak in the lines or worn out seals in your pump or steering gear, and the third would be a clogged filter which will cause cavitation and foaming of the fluid... you probably dont have a flow meter you can hook up to test the components to see were your losing your flow so I would definetly check/change, or take out the filters. Remove the filters if the filters were added on and not a factory product, because chanses are you dont need them.

 

the filters and the pump were changed 6months ago. and it seems to over flow when the truck is shut off. i'll check for leaks tho. thank you guys.

?oh yea no one else has filters installed?

 

i had a filter plug up and kill my pump. the filter was brand new. junk!

 

ya that is the thing, putting a filter in will often wear out a pump faster than if you didnt have one because as soon as the filter plugs up the pump will pull the seals right out of itself...

 

Y even filter the ps pump fluid? Isn't it a high flow unit? Its not even a delicate rack and pinion setup.

 

The filter is a magnetic type that also catches the filings that the magnet in the reservoir misses. The stuff that collects on it resembles antisieze in consistency. It has a built in bypass to prevent "blowing off" High flow with contamination equals fast wear.

 

What is the temp outside? Is it frozen? Had that happen with stop leak once.

 

Sounds to me like the filter is the problem. I've got lots of miles, with way oversized tires and I have changed the fluid maybe once in the past 5 years. With no problems. I'd take a good look at the filter, that might be where the air is getting in!