Last night, as I was pulling out of my work parking lot, I noticed a very distinct and loud groan from the front of the truck somewhere. It was clear by the feel of the steering wheel (and even down by my feet) that it was most probably the PSP. It seemed to work fine but anytime the engine was at idle or just off idle, the pump would goan loudly!
It continued all the way home, on when I was at lower rpms and more or less disappearing at higher revs.
It was cold yesterday and snowed and freezing rain. But it was not frigid. And it was cold last night but I had no noise this morning. It has been colder in past nights but I've not heard this noise before.

Are the PSP's an issue?

 

its the fluid....add some lube-guard or switch to synthetic and youll be fine....

The answers to questions like this are all here - you just have to do a simple search

 

Add some of that Lucas oil power steering adative it worked for me i had the same problem.

 

I second that! Saturday moring I added 1.5 bottles of Lucas Powersteering Fix and no groan for me anymore. I run Lucas synthetic in the rear diff and front diff, power steering, and in the fuel. Great stuff and makes me and truck happy. Take care. Aaron

 

my pump only groans when it hits -20

 

Thanks for this post and the fixes..mine has been doing this! Dealer said theres no noise!
But they didn't mind installing a new track bar! Now the noise id still there, and the steering wheel is off center...been back to fix, and now th esteering wheel is off to the other side!!!!

 

Billy,
I had my track bar replaced at my local dealer a week after I picked up my '01 (in October this year). That made a pretty big difference to be sure in the front end. It was clear after that that I needed a front end alignment. Finally the DSS turned the front end into a whole new ballgame. MUCH tighter now and tracks great.

How much did your dealer get for the trackbar job?

 

Heres the whole ugly story..

The truck was due for an inspection..I knew it probably needed rear brakes. So for an inspection, rear brakes, and the track bar (supposed noise in front end) it was a little over $600.00.
When I brought it back for them to fix , recenter th esteering wheel, and they didn't adjust the rear parking brakes...they tried to charge me $130.00 more !!!!
Bad thing is I really trusted them..I'm friends with th eowners..they are actually a customer of mine also. The service dept. manager, and Dodge service writer , I thought were friends..I've known them for a few years... I used to work at another dealership in the bodyshop, and we did all their body work.
The trackbar itself was over $200.00, no labor.

I should have never let them install it...I should have got the SS adaptor and used an '03 tackbar.

 

My PS pump & hydroboost were making the same noise a week ago.Was about 15 degrees out.Checked fluid level & was all air-rated.Let truck sit inside & started it up 5 minutes later & was ok.Has not done it since.Think I will change to new Mopar PS fluid & try the Lucas stuff also.

 

I found that just changing the fluid solved my problem. Suction gun to remove as much as I could, fill, drive for a while. Repeat a couple of times to get as much out. Replaced with regular PSP fluid.

Everyone does regular oil changes. But still the original PS fluid?

 

Did you change to a synthetic power steering fluid or some other kind of syn. oil. Mine this morning was terrible at about 15 degrees outside. I almost shut it off it was so loud. Does it have to be a oil just for power steering. Is the lucas power steering fix stuff made to run by itself or just mix some in it?

 

I used to change over whining vehicles to synthetic PS fluid to get rid of the squeal but no more.
Bottle of Lube-Gard is so much easier and works just as good. I use it even if the are no noise complaints. Most auto parts carry it or look for a supplier here http://www.lubegard.com/automotive/p...rotectant.html

 

I found this same problem with my '99 yesterday. (-20)

Checked the fluid and it was very foamy and frothy....... Not sure if it's just a cold weather thing or what.

 

I'd recommend BOTH. Redline PS fluid w/ lubegard works for me.

 

Power steering fluid falls into the same category as brake fluid. Not on the PM list, but should be changed when you change antifreeze-coolant.

My favored method is to siphon gun the reservoir and fill with a conditioning fluid such as Valvoline. (The label says synthetic, bit I'm not sure if that means the container or the additives or the fluid.) Run it a few minutes and repeat. Drive it a week and repeat the double siphon EXCEPT add Lugegard before the final re-fill.

I have done 4 completely different PS systems with this method and it is the best I have ever found.