So here is the problem, for a while now I have not been able to turn the front wheels without rolling, so I spoke with the local tireshop about the differances in the stock size (265/75R/16) versus the size I have installed (285/75R/16) if that would have any negative affects on steering. They said that 20mm would have no affect on the performance of the steering system, they also said to try increasing the RPM's and try turning then. WOW, that actually worked, so that brings me here. My first thought was a power steering pump, then I spoke with my brother and he brought up a good point that the brakes are also run off of the power steering pump, which brings up my second problem. For a while now I have been having problems stopping the "X" with the amount of pedal force I am appling i.e. rolling down hill to a stop, bumper to bumper low speed traffic ect...
My brother said that he has not really ever seen a power steering pump fail that a better culprit for this problem might be the (hydro booster / Brake booster ?)
Has anyone else seen this problem? Is it any easy fix? Should a dealership do it?

Thanks for the help!!!

 

The power brakes are run by vacuum, not hydraulic fluid. You need to have your brakes checked as a separate issue.

Your power steering pump is probably just wearing out. Then again, so could your steering box. Yes, they both can wear out. I've replaced them before on different vehicles.

However, if you are not hearing a loud whine when turning the wheel,then consider that it may be deteriorating hoses. The loud whine is the power steering pump going bad (bearings).


The hoses usually go most often.
The pump will go more often than the steering box.

 

Thanks for the reply, but actually in a diesel there is no vacuum, so the brakes are boosted by the power steering pump. From what I have read everything is starting to point more to the HydroBooster.

Thanks Again.

 

I was having problems with steering and brakes making noise when turning the wheel or pushing the brake pedal. The replaced the PS pump and it fixed both problems.

 

Yep, go with a new PS pump, had to do my 99 F-250 4x, waiting for the X to be due, I may spend a few extra and get a high volume, have heard good things about those.