I’ve been having problems with either my hydro boost or master brake cylinder. I press my brakes and it seems hard put press a little harder and they work. But now my power steering pump is starting to hum. What could be causing this issue?

When was the last time you flushed the power steering fluid? (Suppose to be flushed every 30k miles)

 

When was the last time you flushed your brake fluid? (Suppose to be flushed every 30k miles)

 

Remember the power steering system has no filter so any debris will start plugging up ports and orifices in the hydro-booster and steering gearbox. Brake fluid is hygroscopic which means it will pull moisture from the air. This typically starts the process of rotting out the master cylinder and calipers (wheel cylinder if you got them). Then the rubber starts to degrade as well. This is why fluid turns black. Power steering and brake fluid is not a lifetime fluid then should be changed on a schedule.

Edited July 19, 20186 yr by Mopar1973Man

I’ve never changed it since I bought the truck and I’m the second owner. It’s got 327,000 miles and was bought with 181,000. Where should I start with atleast the master cylinder? 

Oh boy this might get really interesting. 

 

I would start with the power steering fluid. But I've got little hope for it to do much good. Basically, the best thing to do would pull both steering gearbox and the hydro booster and get a rebuild or seal kits and full take them apart and clean them out. I'm going to bet the two parts are full of sludge.

 

If you want to do flushing you might as well buy about a gallons worth of standard power steering fluid (NO ATF). Then disconnect the steering gear box return hose from the back of the pump and plug that port on the pump to keep the fluid in. Now route that return hose to a waste pan. Now with the front axle off the ground, engine off, the key to OFF position not LOCK. Now cycle slowly from lock to lock. This will pull the fluid through the geat box and hopefully push out the debris and sludge if any. Keep filling the reservoir up and continue to flush until the fluid coming out the return is just as clean as what goes in. Now hook up the return again. Now cycle lock to lock with the reservoir full to push any air out before starting. The hydro booster is not much you can do but change the fluid a few times till the color looks good again.

 

As for the pump is if still making noise you might have a problem with either the hydro booster or the steering gearbox with something partially plugged up. 

 

If you purchase any parts for the system make sure to blow all the old fluid out of the system before hooking any new devices up. Most will void the warranty if there old fluid or debris found. 

Ok I’ll give that a try and see what happens. Hopefully won’t have to start replacing major parts.  

Ever get anywhere on getting this solved?  I may be in the same boat.  Can feel the pump in the pedal and the steering feels like it’s struggling at times.  

I replaced the power steering pump. I flushed out the system but seems like it’s still doing the same. It might be the brake master cylinder I’m thinking. But now I have a major oil leak from the vacuum pump. I’m gonna have to order a seal kit and reflush the whole system. 

My hoses get very hot when it’s running could a hose be plugged with something? 

Hoses typically don't plug but the orifices in the booster or the steering gearbox will which are much smaller holes.

Ok but will this cause the hoses to get hot or will they naturally get hot with the fluid 

It's natural for them to get hot.  When a fluid or gas is compressed the temperature will increase. 

Mine gets pretty hot also.

 

My hydro boost sprung a leak under the  hood now. So off it comes this weekend. I can now use the rebuild kit I bought a while back. Had a small leak under the dash and it quit, now I know why now.

On 7/29/2018 at 9:37 PM, tmropr1991 said:

I replaced the power steering pump. I flushed out the system but seems like it’s still doing the same. It might be the brake master cylinder I’m thinking. But now I have a major oil leak from the vacuum pump. I’m gonna have to order a seal kit and reflush the whole system. 

I have a oil leak from they’re also. What part number kit did you buy?

I got a Dorman kit. Let’s see how it works. Part number 904-335. Autozone had it all for 33.99 

Just now, tmropr1991 said:

I got a Dorman kit. Let’s see how it works. Part number 904-335. Autozone had it all for 33.99 

Vacuum and power steering pump?

Vacuum 

Mike has the Cummins seal kit in the store. I bought mine from Pirate Jack's before he had them here. Dorman scares me, though I have had success with some of their stuff.