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We are privately owned, with access to a professional Diesel Mechanic, who can provide additional support for Dodge Ram Cummins Diesel vehicles. Many detailed information is FREE and available to read. However, in order to interact directly with our Diesel Mechanic, Michael, by phone, via zoom, or as the web-based option, Subscription Plans are offered that will enable these and other features.  Go to the Subscription Page and Select a desired plan. At any time you wish to cancel the Subscription, click Subscription Page, select the 'Cancel' button, and it will be canceled. For your convenience, all subscriptions are on auto-renewal.

Power Steering Fluid Leak

Posted

Hi all,

Well I mentioned in my thread about injectors that it was finally time to re seal my vac pump because it had started really leaking. Seems I was wrong about the source of these new, and very sudden large puddles. Its PS fluid, and I can't figure out why, or where its coming from. Heres whats happened lately. Flushed PS fluid a couple months ago. Next, flushed fluid again to replace hydrobooster. At this point I was leaving drips, not puddles, from all the residual PS fluid all over the place from the two flushes. Next, I washed the underside of the truck to make sure I wasn't having major oil leaks. I went about a week seeing only a drip or two and sometimes nothing on the ground. All of a sudden I have large, very wet spots on the ground after sitting just a few hours. I thought it was the vac pump finally letting loose, but today I noticed that the fluid looked really light in color for engine oil. I got under to look and everything is a mess of course, but I can tell it is definitely my nice clean ps fluid, mixed with a little oil. The strangest thing is, everything is SOAKED, and even having not run the truck since yesterday afternoon, its still dripping every few minutes! There is literally fluid laying on the asphalt that hasn't soaked in yet, thats how fast its still leaking. Other weird thing is, the reservoir isn't really low :think: Where could this fluid be coming from? It definitely does not seem to be coming from any of the lines on the back of the PS pump. However, there are drips hanging off the bottom seam of the PS pump, it looks wet in between the PS pump and vac pump, but that could be oil. There is also PS fluid all over the top of the gear box which wasn't leaking much, if at all before. I do have a new return line from the gear box to the PS pump though, but even if that new line were loose(no i didnt check yet)  that couldn't be the cause, because how would fluid get up and back to the bottom of the PS pump? Could the PS pump be leaking from where the shaft that drives it comes out? Is it re sealable or does it need to be replaced? I'm planning to go to the carwash later and spray it off and then watch for leaks, but any thoughts in the meantime? I have my vac pump reseal kit on the way and Id like to tackle that next weekend. Just trying to figure out if i should be ordering a new PS pump for the same time....

Thanks in advance for any and all help!

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  • banzaitoyota
    banzaitoyota

    I just did mine with a rebuilt unit from advanced  (A1 Cardone); unit has a low howl when underload. I need to contact them and see what my options are.  BTW do yourself a favor and pull the ps/vacuum

  • Mopar1973Man
    Mopar1973Man

    Reservoir on the pump is sealed by an o-ring. Look at the front side of the pump and see if its leaking from the o-ring.

  • John Fak
    John Fak

    This ^^^  There is a large oring... you can replace this if leaking.   But $50 .....might be worth a new unit .

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  • Author

Well I ordered up a reman steering box from autozone for $160 plus another $160 for the core(can't see spending the money for Borgsen). I also ordered new high pressure lines because I've already got new return ones and I figured might as well do it all while I'm at it, only thing is they don't come with the metal part, just the rubber. Now I was just outside looking at things and realized my steering shaft is in really bad shape. Super loose. So I guess I'll be ordering up one of them too. They are about $150 for a Forman. Talk about jobs getting bigger on you, seems to be a regular thing for me and this truck...anybody have any tips for me on all this? I'm planning to blow out the hydrobooster and the metal lines while I have everything off just incase. Also, I have a steering brace, will I need to take that off to change the steering box? I didn't install it, PO did, that's why I'm asking....

  • Author

Interesting! Do the rebuild kits usually work out well? As far as fixing leaks? Only thing about doing that, it won't take out any of the play I have in my steering wheel, I can turn probably to at least 10 and 2 without moving the wheels....

Yes it fixes leaks, and yes there is adjustments for taking the slop out.

  • Author

Oh ok so there's really no point in replacing it then? Are there any write ups here for the rebuild and adjustment? Any special tools required?

Well in a way it's nice to know it was rebuilt by someone who knew what he was doing, now whether or not he was paying attention is debatable.

 

No special tools needed, though there is one that's nice to have.

It's the one that this gentleman made out of wood. http://www.dieseltrucksite.com/showthread.php?t=1116

  • Owner

I've just called Nate and talked to him about the rebuilding the gear box and I'll get him through the rebuild not a problem. I just want him to call me when he does pull it apart so I can have him inspect the input shaft pin and the power valve assembly for damage before going forward.

  • Author

Thanks again very much Mike. Heres my next question, any idea which of these I need?

http://www.autozone.com/external-engine/power-steering-gear-seal-kit/dodge/ram-2500-3-4-ton-4wd/2001/6-cylinders-6-5-9l-turbo-diesel?filterByKeyWord=steering+gear+rebuild&fromString=search

My guess is this one, but I'm really not sure....

http://www.autozone.com/external-engine/power-steering-gear-seal-kit/duralast-power-steering-gear-seal-kit/dodge/ram-2500-3-4-ton-4wd/2001/6-cylinders-6-5-9l-turbo-diesel/729936_30168_0/?checkfit=true

Its easiest for me to deal with autozone becuase that way I dont have to worry about paying for shipping, and they can usually get stuff pretty quick. So, hopefully one of those four will work...

  • Owner

The second link should work fine. I was hoping to see the bearing for the output shaft I'm not finding a kit with it though. Being you got the steering brace I think your OK. We'll work together to check everything to be sure its tight. You know if I get you through this you got to do a write up on this... Right? :poke:

  • Author

Great thank you! I just ordered the one in the second link and the intermediate shaft from autozone. I should be able to pick them up sometime tomorrow. That stinks about the bearing, I wasnt really sure what I was looking for. Hopefully we find good things when I tear it apart and all is good to be reused. I will have the reman box on hand though incase it cant be. Id rather not take chances on not being able to get parts with it being a holiday weekend. And yes, if you can help with with the rebuild when I get to it, I will be more than happy to do my best on a write up. It will certainly be a valuable addition to the site!

  • Owner

That bearing looks like this...

 

pssectorbrg.jpg

 

As you can see it in place...

 

3281d1325166167-sloppy_steering_adjustme

 

As I told you about the 22 BB's that go back in... The picture above you can barely see the tube for the BB's. Just need to turn the piston over in the body to access the BB tube. I normally use a magnetic tip screwdriver for putting them back in or needle nose pilers.

 

129-0801-27-z%2Bsaginaw-steering-box%2Bt

Edited by Mopar1973Man

  • Author

Oh ok. This is making way more sense now! Thanks for the pics! Btw, thought of something that will hinder my write up on this. Often when I try to upload pics from my iPhone to the site I get an error. I can't remember the number atm though. I just tried uploading ones that didn't work before and they worked fine now. Any idea what that could be about?

  • Owner

Reduce your resolution. Most of the mobile issues of uploading is too high of resolution and the server runs out of memory trying to process the photo. 1024x768 works fine but like my Fuji FinePix 6 MP camera errors every time just about because of the memory problem. My old 2 MP Fuji FinePix no problem. My Cellphone 6 MP camera has the same problem errors out. Now run the photo on a photo editor and upload works fine.

" Now I was just outside looking at things and realized my steering shaft is in really bad shape. Super loose. So I guess I'll be ordering up one of them too. They are about $150 for a Forman."

@leathermaneod you should also check rock auto for the steering shaft. I think it was around $75-$80? With the 5% code the have.I just installed one on my uncles '99. It was the same Dorman part# Autozone lists

    • Like 1
    • Author

    @BBHD thanks for the heads up! Mike and I talked about that, but I'm not sure I would get it in time from them to do this weekend. How fast is shipping from them usually? How does your uncle like it btw?

    Also, where do I find the 5% code?

    Edited by leathermaneod

    • Author

    I think I'm gona just have to go with autozone for the shaft. I didn't plan far enough ahead on this so it's gona cost me a little extra....id have to do the one day shipping to get it in time so I wouldn't be worth the extra hassle. 

    It was a nice piece. It took 3 days for him to receive it in Colorado. I understand what you mean about wanting it in hand and ready to go for the weekend. I'm looking forward to seeing how everything goes

    • Like 1
    • Author

    Well a buddy talked me into go with rock auto after all. He pointed out that the shaft is super easy to change and no big deal if I don't have it in time for this weekend. Turns out I was able to spend $20 on shipping and I still should get it on time. Thanks for the code btw. I totally forgot to use it though :-( still saved a ton of money....at least I know for next time lol 

    • Like 1
    • Owner

    What is funny is re-man'ed steering gear box is what you going to do right now. I'll show you how to make it OEM tight all over again and what to look for wear wise.

     

    @Cowboy Thank you for getting the article made quickly...

     

     

    No problem.  Been wanting to move it over here for a while anyway.

    • Like 1
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    Welcome To Mopar1973Man.Com LLC

    We are privately owned, with access to a professional Diesel Mechanic, who can provide additional support for Dodge Ram Cummins Diesel vehicles. Many detailed information is FREE and available to read. However, in order to interact directly with our Diesel Mechanic, Michael, by phone, via zoom, or as the web-based option, Subscription Plans are offered that will enable these and other features.  Go to the Subscription Page and Select a desired plan. At any time you wish to cancel the Subscription, click Subscription Page, select the 'Cancel' button, and it will be canceled. For your convenience, all subscriptions are on auto-renewal.