i have a small problem or big idk lol

almost every other i drive my truck it feels like i lose power steering. sometimes going down the road and other times turning tight. itll turn easy about 1/4 turn then hard 1/4 turn then easy again. also somtimes if i hit a bump and am turning just right i here a like a scratch/clunk sound. (that just started recently and only happens once in awhile)
anyone have any idears or whats goin on??

im thinking power steering pump, but idk understand the random clunk sound.
btw im also running 33 x 11.5s

 

guess no one wants to help me out lol

 

hmm, I would think power steering pump too... interested in an answer too.. give it more than 10 mins plenty of great minds floating around here, they just dont stay glued to the screen... we'll some do bumpy bump.

 

haha yeah ik im just bored and have nothing to do so im sitting here and 5 mins feel like 30 mins

 

I had a PSPump go out before and it was kinda like that before it went. Check the belt to it.

 

oh yeah thats another thing i just remembered. when its cold out or raining when i first start my truck one the the belts whines like a mother f**ker

 

i lose ps from time to time..hit a bump and it returns.. pump never squealed. have some leaks down low on the rack and pinion. i also get some clunks but my tie rod re toast.

 

replace your belts maybe?

 

i dont think i have any leaks, not that ive been able to see atleast.
im not sure if the squealing is comeing from the pump or a belt.
ik most pumps only squeal when you turn tight and mine doesnt do that.
just turns really hard

 

what does your fluid look like?

 

Ok-- I am NOT a huge mechanic.. But here is what I would do if I was not feeling lazy and wanting to pay someone else to deal with it..



1. take a good look at all the hoses..
Kinks? or a possibility? and strange colorations on the metals pipes?
2. make sure there are no leaks.
you did not mention checking this-- and I am just covering all bases.
3. make sure your using the right kind of fluid.. is it burnt looking?
likely not-- but ....
4. check the maint guide on how to flush and refill the PS resoirvoir.
Could have crud in there..
5. pressure wash the underbody and then check all the boots on the steering cylinders
Could have a bend the cylinders or garbage there.
6. Get a pressure gauge and check the pump out.
7. Belts--- Check for wear..
8. Belt tensioner-- Had one get weak once--
when it was cold out I heard a whine...
This was a $30 repair on my old Durango..
If this is it, replace the belt too, and be done for awhile--
9. compare the steering loss to the RPMS-- if it only happens at low RPMS:
Likely belt/Tensioner/bearing issue... Pull the belt off and check for play on the tensioner and the pump pulley..

10. Give up and go find the local motorhead....

Now this list is totally as it came to mind--
Read them all and do them in order of cost..
$0 to $$$$$$$


and if all else fails:




Let us know what you find..

J

 

oh-- just read some more of the posts...

if the belt squels--
LOW RPM for a few minutes...
Take the belt off and see how "soft" the tensioner is..

This was the exact behavior my ole dogde had...
BUT it had 240K miles..

Does that squel from the belt goes away after a bit-- AKA Warm up or cool down while running... then belt or tensioner...

how old is that belt?
If it is fairly new--- I would put my money on the tensioner...


J

 

dang-- what's up with this..
I posted my thoughts over 10 min ago and get no reply from the OP..

what in the world!
wait-- let me see-- what sentiment should I feel....










sorry--- I had to poke some fun....

J

 

could also be a binidng intermediate shaft...

 

whats the intermediate shaft and how do i tell if its binding?

also thanks for the pointers "radartech". sorry i didnt get back to ya in 10 mins haha

 

i think he is talking about the steering rams that connect to your tie rod ends

 

redneck..

how is it going..
did you find anything yet?

J

 

i havnt figured anything out yet.. over the weekend my steering was fine, never bothered. so idk what the deal is.