All was fine yesterday but the temps were in the 60's and this morning they were in the mid 30's(lowest this year). Ok, so I leave for work and the steering is very hard so I think that maybe the fluid just needs to warm up and it will get better. Not. I drive 23 miiles and it is unchanged. I check the fluid when I get to work and it's full. I think I might have found the problem but not sure. Not too long ago I did the steering column bushing replacement and put a zip tie on the shaft to keep the bushing in place. Somehow it looks like the zip tie and bushing had worked themselves against each other and rubbing. I hope this was it. By the time I cut the zip tie off the temp had warmed up some and it was back to normal steering. Like I said, I hope it was just the zip tie but just for giggles what if it wasn't. What if it was temp. related? Does the fluid need to be changed every now and then? As far as I know it's the original fluid with 145,000 on it.

 

I don't guess I'm as smart as I thought I was because it did the same thing this morning. I checked the fluid and it was on the low side but not to the mark. I put in some Lucas to top it off but don't really know if that fixed it since the temps had already come up and it was working normal by then. Does anyone know where I should start looking?

 

Yes the fluid needs to be changed every now and then. The best way I know of is using a turkey baster with a 6 inch hose attached and a one lb coffee can. Put the can on the frame near the pwr steer pump. Suck as much fluid out of the reservoir as you can with the baster. Refill with new fluid. Start the truck and turn the steering wheel lock to lock a couple times (it's best to have the front wheels off the ground or you may break tire belts). Repeat about 6 times to dilute the old fluid that is in the system. I do it about every 100k miles. Still have my original pump.

 

Thanks for the tip. I swear my problems get stranger and stranger. Just went out to test it and it still does the same thing, it's 40 deg. out right now but I can gaurantee you that when it hits 60 it will all be good. Now for the strange part. My trans. is moving in my forward gears when it's cold also and corrects itself when it's warm out. The whole shifter and everything move from D to N and 1 and 2 will move around also. This problem came on at the same time as the other I just didn't know if they were related. I'm getting to think that this thing is possesed or just really hates the cold. Maybe it's trying to tell me I need to go to the beach.

I think I remember reading that there is a filter on the power steering somewhere that also has something to do with the trans. Where do I find it? Thanks.

 

Read this http://www.turbodieselregister.com/f...ad.php?t=69047

 

Thanks GAmes. That was just what I was looking for, you are a life saver. Me and my 7 year old changed out the fluid to synthetic today and it made an immediate improvement but then again the temps were already around 65 so who knows. The real test will be in the morning and I will definately clean the filter ASAP. Thanks again.

 

GAmes you there man? I need you bad. I tried to look at the link again and I can't pull it up because I'm not a member over there. Can you repost it? I cleaned the screen and now I don't have any brakes or power steering and I need to see those pics again so I can get it back on the road. Thanks.

 

Could be your hydro boost. I'm going through the same thing right now. I cleaned the screen awhile ago but it only worked right for a few days.

Good luck.

Doug

 

Doug,

Is the hydo boost the same thing as the brake hydraulic booster and are these expensive?

I just went back out to the truck to try a different configuration on the install to see if that would fix it and the part that the screen is on shot out of the pump and I can't find it. I think it's hidden up in the engine somewhere but I'll have to wait until tomorrow because I've already spent 2 hours trying to find it. If I can't find it I guess I'll have to buy a new pump.


Also do you remember how you put it back together? I thought I was paying attention but the ball game was on and I really can't do two things at once. I put the BB in first, then the plunger (head facing the BB) and then the spring. Is this right or does the plunger go the other way? And when I installed it in the pump I put the screen end in first? Is that the way it goes also? I drove it around the yard and my steering a brakes never came back.

 

water in fluid? freezing?

 

It hasn't got that cold here yet. Lowest temps so far are @35. Good guess though.

 

If you can educate me on how to post a picture, perhaps I could help.

Here is the order for the flow piston. With the screen on the left, threads to the right. Then the BB, the plunger with the head towards the BB, The spring goes over the plunger shaft. Install in piston. Or, if easier- install spring into piston, then the plunger (shaft into the spring), then the BB, then screw in the screen.

These are instructions from the TDR.


What does the procedure consist of? Remove the high pressure line, then remove the main fitting, then remove and clean the filter screen and reinstall.
18 mm wrench for the line fitting and a 1" socket for the main fitting. You may need a magnet to pull the valve body or the spring may push it out some. Remove the spring also, it should be 2 to 2 1/2 inches long. I think the screen on the valve body was 11mm. I put mine into a vise, put the box end wrench on it, then hit the wrench with a hammer a bunch of times. Even when it breaks loose it is very tight. There is a little ball bearing in there so be alert when the screen is removed.

Why don't you join. Best money I've ever spent on mechanical knowledge. If you do decide to join, PM me and I'll give you my member #.

Gary

 

GAmes I did join yesterday out of desperation but cannot access the site until I'm granted permission. I looked for the missing "guts" but still could'nt find them so I just bit the bullet and bought a new PS pump and so far so good. Hopefully in the morning when it's cold all will still be ok. Thanks for the info and will pray that this fixes it cause I'm out of money. Thanks again.

 

ham I will tell you what your problem is. The steering fix IS the problem .Mine did the same thing,I had to take the bushing back out (not easy). Then I sanded the bushing,cleaned the shaft and replaced.Fixed for a while now I am going to have to do it again because I guess I didn`t sand it enough. but I promise that IS your problem.

 

That was the first thing that came to my mind when it happened but I talked myself out of it since it would correct itself when it warmed up. Does the bushing swell when it gets cold? I'm going to email them and give them my symptoms and see what they say.

Did yours work right when the temps came up?