Power steering

So my power steering is coming and going doesn't seem to mater if it's warmed up or cold and speed doesn't change it , now I have used the search function , fluid is full? So does this men the pump is bad or the rack or what else could it be, any advice ?

 

07 dc 4.0 88,000 miles

 

I don't know but I'd get a can of penetrating fluid and spray the living shit out of the steering shaft u joints (down under the left front frame area) and see if that makes a difference.

 

I'll give it a try, I've got a lift in my garage so I'll put it up in the air and spray it.

 

X2

 

well, I'm back to two finger steering, does that mean the end is near for the steering shaft, or can I go to tractor supply and get a small u-joint? or just keep windin the pb to ahh? thanks for the info, this forum is awesome!

 

I'm glad it worked. Stay lubed my friend.

 

You should replace the lower steering shaft. The u-joint is staked in place and non-replacable, and the spray lube is only a temporary fix. Binding steering components aren't something to mess around with.

 

^^ This. Just because it loosened up does not mean it is fixed.....it will be back.....sometimes it just seizes. This is a safety item and the only to fix it is to replace the lower shaft. oldracer has recently removed his and posted some good tips.

 

I'm all over it , looks simple enough to replace

 

so if the steering wheel and the tires don't move , does it matter how that shaft go's together? is it indexed? or keyed? or is it just the clamps?

 

I would say no, it doesn't matter, but even if it was it shouldn't halt your progress if everything is locked down... you planning on doing this front end jacked up or sitting static on the ground (the flatter the better)?...

 

I've got a four post lift, so the tires won't move, I just kind of wanted to know if the shaft was splined a certain way? Where is the cheapest place to source this shaft?

 

Be sure the steering wheel is held from turning (much) as you don't want it to turn a complete turn from center; if it does, damage to the spiral cable (AKA clockspring) will occur. Bungee through the bottom of the steering wheel between the spokes to the seat track or something. I haven't had to change mine, so I can't honestly answer whether the splines are indexed on both ends, but I would expect them to be. Hopefully someone who has replaced their's can confirm.

Once you get the new shaft installed, spray the outside of the joint heavily with fluid film or the like, and repeat at least every fall. That's what I do with mine, I figure if it helps repel water and salt externally, thats a good thing for longer life internally.

 

Before you pull the steering shaft out be sure to lock the steering wheel. The reason I say this is if you turn the steering wheel a full turn one way or the other it will go together just fine but when you turn the wheel lock to lock you will break the clockspring. What I do is wrap a bungee cord around the steering wheel and the brake pedal. That way you can still move things to ease installation.