Ok I have been searching everywhere but can not find anything about this....

I have a 2003 Ram 2500 CTD, the steering box was replaced last Feb. last week I had an ABS sensor replaced on the passenger side, then on Friday I went to the car wash and pressure washed my front end and engine, just after that I lost power steering when turning left, it turns right with no problems, my buddy noticed my belt tensioner was lose so we replaced that figuring that was the problem but it wasn't.

Anyone have any ideas what to look at, we are expecting snow tonight and it is going to be a tough day plowing without power steering when turning right

thanks

 

Not sure if steering boxs these days are same as when I was in tech school, but I have to assume they still work the same way.

Sounds like your valving is stuck. If you look at the steering box right where the input shaft enters the box, and turn the steering wheel slightly to the left and right (you'll need another person to help), you will notice the shaft moves in/out slightly depending on which way you turn the wheel (it is most easily seen when the truck is not running). This motion is what switches the valving to give you "power" in that direction. If your input shaft isn't moving in/out in both directions, either the box doesn't work as I describe, or something is jammed. If it does, maybe give the top end of the box where the valving is a whack with a rubber mallet as you wiggle the steering wheel. Sounds like you got a dud steering box though. Hopefully you can get it working long enough to get you by.

I assume you checked the fluid level.

Good luck

 

Thanks, it was a bad steering box, I had it swapped out yesterday but unfortunately AFTER I was done plowing

 

Always wondered how it worked!