When I went to start my truck this morning to leave work it was -3* out side and after I started the truck it made a horrible moaning sound when I pushed in the brake pedal or turned the wheel. It was a loud moaning sound that came from under the hood on the drivers side. The power steering still worked and the brakes also worked just fine, but when I'd go to use them it would make that horrible moaning sound. Is it the vaccume pump going out or the power steering pump or just bad fluid in all of the above? Once the truck warmed up on the expressway the sound went away and I didin't hear it this evening when I fired up the truck to come to work. ???

It has never done this before but I don't think it's been this cold since I bought the truck in 98. Any thing you can do to help would be greatly appritiated. 8)

Thanks for your time.

DB

 

Sounds like your power steering pump could be going out slowly. Believe the brakes on the older trucks are vacuum and when it quits it just dies

 

Nice cold power steering fluid, consistency of molasses most likely.<br>I remember something about the brakes and steering being tied together somehow through the PS pump.<br><br>Next cold morning, take a look at it and see how thick it is.<br><br>Maybe time for synthetic in there?<br><br>There's a thread going around about this somewhere on here.<br><br><br>phox

 

[quote author=DarrellB link=board=13;threadid=10068;start=0#96269 date=1043460006]<br>It has never done this before but I don't think it's been this cold since I bought the truck in 89. DB<br>[/quote] <br><br><br> How the heck did you buy a 99 in 89 ? <br> Just kidding.

 

[quote author=CHUCK3 link=board=13;threadid=10068;start=0#96280 date=1043461979]
[quote author=DarrellB link=board=13;threadid=10068;start=0#96269 date=1043460006]
It has never done this before but I don't think it's been this cold since I bought the truck in 89. DB
[/quote]


How the heck did you buy a 99 in 89 ?
Just kidding.
[/quote]

Oops, That would be 98. Dang Dyslexia, my fingures are too fast for my brain. : :-[

Thanks guys, I'm going to pick up a few things at AutoZone tonight (open 24-7) before I go home tonight. I'm not sure if I'm gonna try the synthetic or not, maybe just new PS fluid for now. If that doesn't work I'm gonna go with the synthetic.

Thanks again.

DB

 

I change my power steering fluid once a year. I pump out the reservoir, fill it, jack up the truck front, turn the wheels lock to lock about ten times and drain it again. I do this two or three times to get as much new fluid in there as I can. This power steering fluid pressure is also the driving force for you power brake system.<br>This may be overkill but I never have any PS or brake problems either. I use the original Mopar PS fluid too.<br>Works for me dude.