Power steering wierd thing....
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 3
From: Broad Run, Va
Power steering wierd thing....
The steering seems hard when I first start the truck and gets better as that truck warms up and back to pretty much normal in about 5 mins after driving the truck.
Whuzzup???
Whuzzup???
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
When's the last time you flushed the fluid? Are you running regular fluid in there or synthetic? Switching to synthetic made a little difference in my truck. The biggest difference seemed to be a firmer brake pedal, but I wasn't having any problems with mine, so I didn't expect much difference in the steering.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
We have what's called the hydro boost system. It's supposed to give you 2 or 3 power assisted braking actions if the engine dies (when most power brakes fail). If you follow the lines coming off the power steering pump reservoir, you'll see they go up to the brake system (where the master cylinder sits on a gas truck)
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
Follow the rubber hose that comes off the fill neck of the power steering reservoir up to where it hooks on the hydro boost. Take the hose off of the hydro-boost and set the top part aside. Take a piece of clear tubing and with a hose clamp, attach it to the fitting on the hydorboost. Place the end of the clear tube in a bucket. This is your drain.
Next you'll need one of those long funnels so the fan doesn't blow fluid everywhere and a helper. Start the truck and have your helper slowly turn the wheel left to right to left over and over again while lightly applying the brakes. As the fluid pumps out, pour more in. Pick up 4 quarts (I used mobil one synthetic). Once you flush it with about 3 1/2 qts. you should have all the old stuff out of there. Then top off as needed and you're done.
Next you'll need one of those long funnels so the fan doesn't blow fluid everywhere and a helper. Start the truck and have your helper slowly turn the wheel left to right to left over and over again while lightly applying the brakes. As the fluid pumps out, pour more in. Pick up 4 quarts (I used mobil one synthetic). Once you flush it with about 3 1/2 qts. you should have all the old stuff out of there. Then top off as needed and you're done.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
If you're fluid is dark looking, you can just start pouring in the synthetic, and when you see the fluid change to the new color just stop. I don't see colors too well, so new and old fluid looks the same to me, others can see the change. Once the old fluid is out, that's all you need to do.
Of the next Riffraff East
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,679
Likes: 2
From: Concord NC
It's a one step deal. If you're not colored blind like some here, you will see the fluid change colors as you pump the old out and new in, hence the reason for the clear hose.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 3
From: Broad Run, Va
ok.. update....
I went out and got 4 qts of the mobile synthetic ATF. Wasn't cheap but I did it. Got a helper and some clear 3/8ths (ID) hose.
Engine on and hoses attached as instructed... fluid started passing through the clear tube and at the same time I made sure the ATF reservior remained full with the new fluid. Most of the time my helper couldnt hardly turn the steering wheel... when he stepped on the brake there was a huge gush of fluid.
Went through 3 qts and fluid looked very clear and new. At one point my helper could turn the wheels point to point no prob.
Turned engine off, cleaned up and topped off the reservior.
Took truck for a test drive... Steering went hard again but the brake pedal is way different. The brake pedal is harder and the truck definitly stops better.
However, the steering still seems to be hard especially when at a dead stop and brake pedal is depressed. With the truck in park and foot off the brake it is still hard to turn the steering wheel.
As long as the truck is rolling even just a little the steering wheel is easier to turn.
Confused....
I went out and got 4 qts of the mobile synthetic ATF. Wasn't cheap but I did it. Got a helper and some clear 3/8ths (ID) hose.
Engine on and hoses attached as instructed... fluid started passing through the clear tube and at the same time I made sure the ATF reservior remained full with the new fluid. Most of the time my helper couldnt hardly turn the steering wheel... when he stepped on the brake there was a huge gush of fluid.
Went through 3 qts and fluid looked very clear and new. At one point my helper could turn the wheels point to point no prob.
Turned engine off, cleaned up and topped off the reservior.
Took truck for a test drive... Steering went hard again but the brake pedal is way different. The brake pedal is harder and the truck definitly stops better.
However, the steering still seems to be hard especially when at a dead stop and brake pedal is depressed. With the truck in park and foot off the brake it is still hard to turn the steering wheel.
As long as the truck is rolling even just a little the steering wheel is easier to turn.
Confused....
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
Are you running stock or oversized tires? Is it any easier if you pull onto the grass and try turning the wheels with the brakes on?
My brake pedal felt a lot more touchy when I did mine too. I either got used to it, or it went away in a couple of days.
My brake pedal felt a lot more touchy when I did mine too. I either got used to it, or it went away in a couple of days.