Last May I replaced my steering box and Power steering pump as the steering box failed and filled everything full of metal shavings. I installed a new pump and box and flushed out the system multiple times until it was all clean. Recently my steering has been getting worse and worse where it is impossible to back up my trailer. I thought it would be a simple power steering pump change so I changed it lastnight with a new one from Dodge. Smae issues still. Does anyone thing it would be the hydroboost or the steering box going again?? My brakes are ok but not the greatest. Any ideas or help would be greatly appreciated...

 

What replacement parts did you use? I put in a napa steering gearbox last fall. I had to go thru three boxes until I found one that was slightly better than the one that I pulled out. You could put a power steering cooler on the pump.

So whats the problem, the wheel don't want to turn or everything is wiggly? Someone has to build a better gearbox one day. You could do the adjustment on the preload on the rack just to see if that helps. If you have play/movement on the bottom steering shaft, you could have a bearing issue. If the pitman arm has a fair bit of play back/forth movement, the preload adjustment should help. I'll post some pictures later today to show you what to adjust. Its a pretty easy adjustment.

 

Everything has been mopar because only now can you get replacment parts for the steering and hydroboost. I'm wondering if it is a hydroboost problem. That was the only thing I didn't replace last time Mike.

 

So whats the steering actually doing? I'm just going from my truck, I just have a steering gearbox and vacuum pump/steering pump. I just have instructions for the 2nd gen and I forgot that 3rd gen's have a slightly different set-up.

 

On pavement, I can't turn the steering wheel unless I am moving back or forth. It is so hard to back up my RV. I replaced the steering box and PS pump last May Long and it was great until just last week. This truck is gonna be a money pit!! I would love to spend the money on performance parts vs steering crap!!!

 

My chevy does that every once and awhile, and i dont know why. And actually come to think of it, I believe that my dodge did it too,, cant remember for sure though

 

Have you tried some Lucas? My 02 Town & Country does that sometimes and always has. They told me at Dodge to add that stuff to the PS and see if it helps. It did a bit, not really sure why.. Must be a viscosity issue with the fluid as the PS pump is just a simple vane pump with a spring relief valve. IF the relief valve sticks open, the PS has no pressure at idle but enough at higher RPM to over come the overflow...

 

How did you flush the system last time? If you didn't flush the brake booster really good it may have had fillings still in it wich may be giving you greif now. Best way to flush the booster is to actually take it out and take it apart, other than that pull the return off the booster and have a buddie pump the brakes with the truck running. As far as steering pumps go If its a rebuilt unit you have a 50 50 chance its good.

 

Can You Up Grade The Steering Parts For These Truck . Like Get Parts For A 4500 ? Are They The Same . I Left Dodge Before The 4500-5500 Came Out Not Sure On What S The Same ,

 

Yup, it has to be the steering box. Changed both the PS Pump and the Hydroboost, no difference!!!!

 

Hey Jamie the 06 does the same thing, no PS when the truck is not moving, noticed it the other day when trying to back up with the boat.

 

I could understand my truck with the 37's on it but your truck should have NO problem??? Gonna change the steering box on Wedensday. I changed every other piece of the puzzle!!!

 

Ya, i thought because of the stickey Proxies but???? Its fine everyother time but when stopped

 

Jamie, how long you had it installed on the truck? I think dodge give you a one year warranty on parts. You might want to give that a kick.

 

It was put on May long weekend so my year is expirerd by a few months.