Hello all. I'm having trouble with my 2003 Ram 2500 5.9l. the power steering makes an awful whining sounds and has for awhile now. The best way I can describe the sound is as if the pump had no fluid at all (it's full, I promise). I've replaced the power steering pump, rack and pinion, hydroboost, high pressure line and the low pressure line, but it's STILL whining. I've made sure to bleed the system to the best of my ability for a couple hours and I pop the cap on the power steering pump periodically just to make sure it's not releasing any more air after driving.

It sounds like their might be a restriction somewhere and the lines get pretty hot. I even had an issue today where the pedal went half way down with little resistance and it didn't feel like the truck was stopping. I lifted my foot and put it back down and the pedal was hard as a rock, but it stopped fine the rest of the way home. I assume this was a bubble in the system.

The only thing I can think of is the intercooler or the return lines might be clogged. Other than that I'm at a total loss and I'd rather not take it to a shop and pay the ridiculous fees. Any help is appreciated!