Steering issue

factive · Jun 2, 2014

Happened last night on the tail end of a 1,000 mile road trip, all highway miles....

Started getting a little resistance from the power steering in turns. Feels like it's fighting me a bit. Figured it might be PS fluid low. This morning went and bought some ATF fluid and topped off the reservoir which was a little low but not bad. Didn't help.

There doesn't seem to be any fluid leaking from the PS res or pump area.

I've been driving around my neighborhood today trying to diagnose. At full lock it feels like steering would if 4x4 was engaged, however it's worse if I engage 4x4. A couple times at full lock it's made a fairly loud popping sound, like something metal is getting stuck on something and then popping itself free. A clunk almost.

I've tried unplugging the IWE vacuum hose, no difference.

I had new 4.88 pinion gears installed last week. Could there be a relation?

Any suggestions? Truck is already heading into dealer on Thurs for some other work but my main concern is I'm supposed to drive my truck to vegas on Friday to get caged while I'm out of the country for 3 weeks. Ugh

Huck · Jun 2, 2014

If you unplug the vacuum line the hub will engage so that's not changing your diagnosis

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factive · Jun 2, 2014

Gotcha. I'll swing by my mechanic's place and see if he has a vacuum tester. The driver side IWE does have some grease coming out the bottom. Not a lot but definitely noticeable.

Steele16 · Jun 2, 2014

That wouldn't make it bind up if the transfer case was still in 2wd. I ran mine without the vacuum lines connected for 10,000 miles. Only noticeable difference was .2 mpg

Rookie · Jun 2, 2014

My pump went out and there was very little fluid that came out. Is it whining or less resistance at higher rpms?

factive · Jun 2, 2014

MobileBeats said:
My pump went out and there was very little fluid that came out. Is it whining or less resistance at higher rpms?

Less resistance at speed but also not turning as hard/sharp. Did hear a faint whine yesterday when I first noticed it. Couldn't really tell exactly where it was coming from while I was driving but definitely noticeable.

Truck moves back & forth about an inch or so while moving the steering wheel lock to lock in park. That normal?

Rookie · Jun 2, 2014

Pump could be starting to go out. If it goes out you'll know. On pavement it's almost impossible to turn the wheels while at a stand still.

factive · Jun 2, 2014

I initially thought it was something with the PS, either pump or fluid. Its the grinding/clunk that's throwing me off which happens at like 3/4 to full lock. At full lock, the truck wont even move. I can get out of the truck when in gear and it wont move. Have to give it some gas to move it and that's when it has a slight grinding sound and sometimes a fairly hard clunk.

treypal · Jun 2, 2014

Could be the rack

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justcozz · Jun 3, 2014

It does sound a bit like a power steering problem that may have migrated to the rack. If it's under warranty I'd drive straight to a dealer. If not I'd probably start with a really good physical inspection of everything under the front end. If there is something not right or binding externally, you may see evidence that will save you a bunch of time. Maybe throw the truck up on jackstands and run the wheel lock to lock.

If nothing big jumps out at you I'd flush of the power steering system. If you've got junk in the rack or something is broken in there you should see evidence in the fluid.

Steering issue

factive

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Huck

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Rookie

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