I have a 2001 2500 Cummins and today when I started in for the first time in 3 days it didnt have power steering. It was almost as though the steering was blocked, and as I tried to turn it manually it "broke loose" and then the power steering worked fine. There was a puddle of fluid under my truck after this and it appeared it was puking from the resevior. Other than that I couldnt see any leaks. What could cause a blockage like that and what are my possible remedies? Thanks in advance

 

Can't guess what caused it, but changing the P.S. fluid never hurts anything.
I recently did mine in my '95. I got a 4 foot length of clear plastic tubing, about 1/4 inside dia. and began to suck the old fluid out, although you could siphon it out too. Once I got all the old fluid out I could, I refilled and then drove it around a bit to mix up the fluid. Did that 3 times. Probably need to do it another couple of times to get the maximum amount of good fluid in and old fluid out.

 

What happens is the steering box acts the same as a pump when you turn the steering wheel. It has to be this way so you can still steer if the engine should stall. If the engine isn't running or is at low rpms the output from turning the steering wheel can exceed the amount of fluid the pump is capable of pumping. Fluid is returning back to the reservoir faster than it can be pumped out, it pukes out the top of the lid.
There is a screen under the return line to the reservoir. A clogged screen would compound this problem. The only clogged screens I've ever come across on a Ram happened only after a pump or steering box failure when a lot of metal particles have been generated from something falling apart. Most are spotless.

Most times the puking reservoir happens when the conditions are just right and are difficult to dupicate, then goes away with no action on your part.

 

You had a valve sticking. Changing the fluid might help the problem.

Chris

 

Thanks fro the replies guys! It worked perfect all weekend ??? SO I am going to change the fluid this week and not worry about it unless it happens again.

 

This is so wierd. I had the exact same problem this morning as you did. I reved up the engine and it worked fine. Never had the problem before. Checked the fluid and it was a little low so i used a turkey baster and sucked a lot out, it was kinda blackish, and refilled.

 

I've probably had three trucks come through the shop with this sensation. I would have to think that the prob is in the pump, but never have had any of them act up again.