Power Steering Problem
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
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Power Steering Problem
Hi All-
I've been having some steering problems lately. About 90% of the time it works fine. The rest of the time I am fighting it - kind of.
When I am having problems with it what I notice is that it doesn't want to straighten out. For example: after a turn I have to physically crank the wheel back to center and then I have to turn about 45 Deg. past center to go straight. After a short while the problem corrects and then I am shooting off in the direction that I was pulling the wheel toward. Sometimes I'll be going in a straight line at hwy speed and it suddenly veers off to one side. I have to fight it back to center and after a little while it corrects and I'm veering in the opposite direction again.
When I am fighting it - it's not like the power steering is completely gone, just diminished a little. The pwr steering pump does not appear to be making any noise. Although if you listen real carefully while turning the wheel at a full stop you can hear a slight whining.
I did do a power steering flush per directions that I found on the internet using Mobil 1 synthetic ATF fluid. This did not help the problem.
Any help is appreciated.
I've been having some steering problems lately. About 90% of the time it works fine. The rest of the time I am fighting it - kind of.
When I am having problems with it what I notice is that it doesn't want to straighten out. For example: after a turn I have to physically crank the wheel back to center and then I have to turn about 45 Deg. past center to go straight. After a short while the problem corrects and then I am shooting off in the direction that I was pulling the wheel toward. Sometimes I'll be going in a straight line at hwy speed and it suddenly veers off to one side. I have to fight it back to center and after a little while it corrects and I'm veering in the opposite direction again.
When I am fighting it - it's not like the power steering is completely gone, just diminished a little. The pwr steering pump does not appear to be making any noise. Although if you listen real carefully while turning the wheel at a full stop you can hear a slight whining.
I did do a power steering flush per directions that I found on the internet using Mobil 1 synthetic ATF fluid. This did not help the problem.
Any help is appreciated.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
Jack up the front, turn the steering wheel hard to one side (doesn't matter which side), inject some grease, turn the tire/wheel a few, then pump some more. Turning the wheels hard to one side forces maximum articulation of the U-joint while the grease enters the needles.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,834
Likes: 26
From: Middle Tn.
On an '06 you should have zerks in those U-joints. Have you tried pumping in some grease while turning and working it in? Chances are it is too late for that, but definitely worth a try.
Jack up the front, turn the steering wheel hard to one side (doesn't matter which side), inject some grease, turn the tire/wheel a few, then pump some more. Turning the wheels hard to one side forces maximum articulation of the U-joint while the grease enters the needles.
Jack up the front, turn the steering wheel hard to one side (doesn't matter which side), inject some grease, turn the tire/wheel a few, then pump some more. Turning the wheels hard to one side forces maximum articulation of the U-joint while the grease enters the needles.
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Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
Good point. I didn't mention it, but you don't need the engine running to do this. If you take the time to jack up the front.
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Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
I don't want to speak for Steven, but I'm sure it was the zerk on the spider on the front axle U-joints. You can see it on mine in this pic. Not all trucks have them. I think it maybe started in '05, but not positive. Some guys have them but don't know it because you sometimes have to dig around in the gunk to find it.
