Hi, Everyone, while I don't post here much, I lurk around a bunch and have received a truck load of help over the years. Your contributions are much appreciated!

I have a question about my 2004 Ram 2500, 2wd, 4door, lwb. I just replaced a leaky and noisy power steering pump and believe I have it properly bled - turns smooth and quiet at rest and low speed. On the road I get a noise that sounds like a power steering groan when I apply pressure to turn left. All quiet turning right.
Any ideas? Would wheel bearings sound like that?

Thanks!
Jeff

 

I got some time to pull the left wheel this weekend. Upper ball joint is visibly loose, but the lower one and hub seem tight.
I think I'll replace the upper control arms/ball joints now and work my way down as funds become available.

 

Hey Jeff, are you still getting that PS groan while turning left? If so, you might try bleeding the air out again. Book states;

(1) Turn steering wheel all the way to the left
(2) Fill the pump fluid reservoir to the proper level
and let the fluid settle for at least two (2) minutes.
(3) Raise the front wheels off the ground.
(4) Slowly turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock 20
times with the engine off while checking the fluid
level.
NOTE: For vehicles with long return lines or oil
coolers turn wheel 40 times.
(5) Start the engine. With the engine idling maintain
the fluid level.
(6) Lower the front wheels and let the engine idle
for two minutes.
(7) Turn the steering wheel in both direction and
verify power assist and quiet operation of the pump.
If the fluid is extremely foamy or milky looking,
allow the vehicle to stand a few minutes and repeat
the procedure.
CAUTION: Do not run a vehicle with foamy fluid for
an extended period. This may cause pump damage.

While the front end is up, see if there is any play in that wheel bearing.
Back to morning brew . . .

 

I figured out it wasn't the power steering. No noise at really low speed, and I turned the engine off while going down the road and the noise stayed the same. It may be tire noise exacerbated by the tire cupping the bad ball joint caused.
I replaced the driver-side upper control arm this afternoon and will do the other one tomorrow morning. The lower joint and hub didn't seem loose. I may get an alignment after this and rotate the back tires to the front to see if that helps.

Thanks!

 

I replaced the passenger-side upper control arm today. This ball joint wasn't as worn as the other one, but the hub is loose on this side.
It'll be a few weeks before I have a time to deal with them.

Enjoy!

 

I got the hubs replaced without too much struggle. The passenger side brake rotor and hub came loose without too much of a struggle. The rotor on the driver side was more stuck than the hub, so I pulled it out with them still stuck together. Set the rotor on the shop floor with a couple of boards for padding, and a few blows directly to the hub got them apart.
Smooth and quiet now! This spring I'll replace the lower ball joints, tie-rod ends, et cetera.
Back on the road for now!