I am upgrading my truck and in the process trying to fix a few issues it has (no ac, power windows not functioning from driver's side master control, broken seatbelt latch, etc.) and I am concerned about the effort it takes to steer the truck sometimes while moving slowly.

Since purchasing my truck, I have heard a whining noise coming from the front whenever I turn the wheels. As mentioned above, at low speeds it can be hard to steer, and almost feels sometimes like it is about to lock up.

When I think of the steering system my limited understanding calls to mind the steering gear, steering shaft and power steering pump. I've tried to deduce which of these could be causing the problem. Taking the simplest approach I jacked the front of the truck up and turned the wheel lock to lock. It seemed fine. So I then set it back on the ground and flushed and refilled the fluid in my power steering pump.

This didn't help as I still have the whine and the difficult low speed steering. Does this have the potential to become a dangerous problem, and if so would replacing one or more of the steering components help alleviate the problem? I know there is a PSC company which makes aftermarket power steering pumps. I have thought about checking their stuff out if indeed it is the PS pump making the problem. When I flushed and refilled the PS pump resoirvoir, I didn't add enough fluid at first and the steering actually would not turn at all for a minute or two until I brought the level up a little.

Has anyone else experienced this? Any ideas what is causing the problem and how I should fix it?

Ted

 

Obviously do the easy stuff first. Check the fluid level. Next, I would flush the power steering fluid.

It's possible the fluid is the culprit, but it sounds lie your pump or the bypass may be the culprit as well. But I would change the fluid before dropping the dough on a new pump.

Dave

 

try synthetic fluid. . .

worked for me, but i had issues with extreme cold weather only.

 

What fluid is everybody using? My truck's pump was whining last winter, and I figured synthetic might be a good idea. I didn't know which fluid was safe for the pump and steering gear seals though.

 

Read a post about cleaning the filter screen in the pump, fixed a friends truck. On most trucks you can do it w/the pump on the truck. Pull the pressure line off the back of the pump then pull the fitting off the pump, careful there is a small spring and ball in there. Take the valve apart and clean the screen, I used brake cleaner. If you do a search you will come across better instructions. Try it before you spend over $100 bucks on a pump.

Floyd

 

Thanks Floyd.

I will definitely try this. Thanks for the information!

 

I searched on "filter screen" and "power steering cleaning" but so far didn't find anything.

To get at this filter screen, if I pull the line off the power steering pump will I need to bleed it or anything before driving the truck again?

Ted

 

I'm a firm believer in Lubegard power steering additive available at most autoparts. Has cured many an ailing PS system for me.

 

to answer the psc question, yes they are great and they make excelent products

 

Yes you will have to bleed it, but its just a matter of getting the wheels off the ground and cycling them lock to lock.

Thanks infidel, that was the one I saw but couldn't find it to post for him.

Floyd

 

Thanks guys - blackImpala, Infidel and the others. I know what to do now :-)

Ted

 

Hey Ted, let us know if that works for you. My pump has been making some noise for some time now. It only does it at random spots as I go around a turn, but it does it at every turn. I have replaced the fluid and it did not change the symptoms at all.
Thanks,
Luke

 

as far as the whining goes on colder weather i remember seeing a tsb a while back and the solution was to replace one of the power steering hoses.

try a synthetic oil as well. will help you in the winter.

 

Which brand fluid is everybody using? Or is ALL power steering fluid the same?

 

I sure will. I'll probably check it this weekend - Ted