i did the PS flush that i found instructions for here...used 4 qts of mobil syn ATF...the fluid looked and smelled burnt. after flushing, the steering wheel is still hard to turn at times. like low RPMs, or trying to make a tight turn. did i do something wrong or is a pump next on my "to do" list?
thanks...
chris

 

Odds are good it was too late to save the pump.

Do you hit the brakes and it feels like you lost steering? Then yes, I would start looking for a pump.

 

How are your tires? My pump is a dog with old tires. New tires have larger lugs that give a bit and it's much easier. That said, I've flushed mine for the last time (at 100k, 150k, and 200k) and now have a new pump to put on it. I'm going to do it with my old tires on there for a good comparison.

Anyone know how long the Mobil 1 Syn ATF is "off the shelves?" Apparently there's none for sale at all in CA right now... Yeah Stewart, you were on a bona-fide wild goose chase on your way over...

 

i just bought mobil 1 syn...at autozone...i hope my pump isnt quiting. i dont lose steering when i hit the brakes. only at low rpms

 

Did you mess with that adjusting screw on top of the pump at all?? Did you have somebody pump the brakes while you poured the new fluid into the reservoir??

 

yes to both...i turned the screw about 3/4 turn overall last nite and the wheel definately tightened up, but at low rpms i lose all power steering

 

You might have gotten some air in the lines during the flush. I did the flush when I bought my truck, and ended up with the same problem. It took a few weeks of intermittent steering trouble, always in a tight parking lot at idle, for the air to find its way out by itself.

 

i was thinking the same thing...any other way to work the air out? after the problems did yours work fine again?

 

Ive had my ps flushed and have royal purple in it, and I did not notice any help in steering. When im stopped and try to turn it will usually resist or turn hard. I usually just itch the truck ahead some and turn the wheel while i do it, tricky sometimes when you wanna turn sharp but move little.

What screw in the top of the pump are you talking about?

 

there is an allen screw in the top next to the radiator. there is a lock nut(5/8) and that holds the allen screw. i turned it 1/4 turn then drove and kept turning till it felt good.

 

If it's air, I would guess that you can keep flushing and be mindful of getting air in the lines again. I know I got air in mine. I did it by myself, and emptied the reservoir once or twice during the flushing.

I have no problems now. No weird noises, and the power steering always works. It makes me appreciate it. It's near impossible to turn that wheel in a parking lot without lots of help.

 

rb8612, Jack up the front of your truck to get both wheels off the ground. Without the engine running, turn the steering wheel from lock to lock. It should not take very much effort to turn the steering wheel with the tires off the ground. If the steering is hard, you probably have a ball joint or tie rod end seizing up. Other possibilities are:
Seized lower steering shaft u-joints
Damaged or fractured steering column bearings

Test it and report back!

 

Very interesting info, thanks for the post as I need the change the fluid on my truck and on my wife's van as her van is making a crap load of noise from the PS pump.

Mercon 5 ok to use?

 

I would use synthetic tranny fluid in the truck. As for your wifes van, go with what it calls for, P.S. fluid would be my guess.

Chris, how much air pressure do you have in your front tires? Do you loose the power steering while sitting on a hill with your front end down, and with your foot on the brake?

 

i usually run 50 psi...i dont lose it specifically then, but i have lost it then