I been having steering problems. It felt like the system was binding up. So I replaced the steering box with one from Red Head. System still binding up hard to turn the wheel and the wheel does not return to center with ease. So I think its a pressure problem with the pump. So I replace the pump and all high pressure hoses. Fill pump let the system work the air out. Still binding up hard to turn the wheel in slow turns while braking. Now I think it may be the Hydroboost??? I can hear the new pump whining when turning. I jacked truck up Tie-rods and Ball-joints are tight. Is this a hydroboost problem is there a test I can do to check the Hydroboost? Will a problem with a failing Hydroboost cause intermittent steering problems?

 

Are you don't have a bad u joint or ball joint in the front?

 

Perhaps you could explains the "binding" in greater detail. The only additional problems I could see with the Hydroboost, is loss of pressure. That would equate to a general heavy feel, but it should be consistent.

Have you placed the front end on jack stands with the engine running and see if there is binding? How about removing the serpentine belt and driving, does it "bind" then too? Some of these tests could bring light to other steering components that could be failing. Hard to say with out knowing exactly what the symptoms are. My bet would be on the ball joints.

Also you could have failed U-joints on the front axle. I recently replaced mine, and now have now bindage at all. Before, with the 4x4 engaged, when I would turn the wheel close to the stops, you could hear and see the binding. (This is with the truck completely off the ground) I always thought it was by design close to the stops, but I was wrong. New U-joints, all is well.

 

The problem is here an there had my friend drive the truck several times. He felt it bind up once. Hard to turn wheel, then it releases an drives normal. My thoughts are if it was a mechanical problem like tierod or balljoint it would be present all the time. This problem comes an goes. Thats what leads me to belive it is hydraulic in nature like a sticking valve in the hydroboost.

 

I had this happen to me one time turning in heavy traffic. Started making my turn and all of a sudden it bound up, found myself face to face with one of those $70k+ mercedes. Like you said, it released and I missed the lady in the mercedes crapping her pants. I don't have an answer for you, as it's only happened once about 3 yrs ago. Could be coincidence or not, but I flushed the Power Steering with mobil 1 shortly after this incident and It's never reared it's ugly head since. Good luck, it's not a nice feeling to lose control of your truck. Not to mention dangerous for you and those around you.

 

I don't have a link to the power steering flush so maybe someone else can hook you up. If you've never done it, it sure couldn't hurt to give it a shot. If worse comes to worse I can copy and post the procedure here, but a link from someone would be nice.

 

This tells me a ball joint is dried out inside and siezing up when there is weight on it.
Seen it before.
Raise the vehicle off the ground and it's free.
Put weight on it and it gets stiff.
Doesn't necessarily have to make a creaking noise when turning either.

 

Dan has the right idea. Weight on the ball joints would cause a binding that may not show up when the front is off the ground.

The steering on my '03 was stiff when I got it w/60k on it. Replaced the ball joints and all was good.

 

Could be the intermediate shaft. My sons Dodge dakota had this problem, steering hanging up and binding. We replaced it and fixed it. The upper u-joint on his old one was bound up it only bent one way.