power steering and brakes problem
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Utah
power steering and brakes problem
I read several posts on this topic and, based on the posts, went out and replaced my power steering pump and put in synthetic tranny fluid (Dexron VI). I still can not turn the steering wheel when stopped with the brakes pushed hard. If I just push the brakes a little, I can turn the wheel with difficulty. Sometimes, even without the breaks on it is difficult to turn the steering wheel. Any ideas what the problem really is, and how to fix it? Thanks.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Utah
OK. I'll keep looking there. I did several searches and couldn't come up with anything. Maybe I'm not using the right search terms. . . . .
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Morgan Hill, CA
Why are you trying to steer with your foot heavy on the brake? The reason it won't steer is you are locking the brakes. That makes it very hard on the steering, both because it's using the same pump and because the wheels are locked and don't want to move.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Utah
The steering is orthogonal to the braking. Having the brakes pressed should not, in and of itself, affect the steering much at all if any. There is a hydraulic conflict between the brake booster and the steering gear. Most likely, the brake booster causes a reduction in line pressure which reduces the torque available to the steering gear. One solution might be to put in a second pump, and have one pump run the brakes and the other run the steering. Hmmmm . . . I wonder if it would fit in the location where the second alternator gets put on some of the trucks.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,884
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From: Morgan Hill, CA
FWIW my dad's PSD (2002) has no trouble turning with the brakes on hard. A new pump might fix your problem. I've also found that brand new tires turn a whole lot better than older tires with less knobby to flex.
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Senior User
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From: Utah
Tires are OK, about midlife. One thing that changed recently is that I put wheels with different backspacing, so the tires are a little farther out than they were with the stock wheels. Would that cause a problem? I haven't checked the ball joints, need to do that. I looked at them once but didn't try to wiggle them or anything. When it stops raining, I need to get under there and check the whole front end out I guess.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Morgan Hill, CA
I don't know about the wheels, but to check your ball joints you can jack up the front end and use a pry-bar to try to move the wheel a bit. You most likely can't do it with just your hands.