Power steering pump question

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Dartfreak75

Dartfreak75

Restore it, Dont part it!
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Hey guys, I've got a question. So I've been working on this 88 dodge d100 I recently bought one thing I've noticed but haven't gotten a chance to mess with until now is when I turn the steering wheel all the way left or right (like max lock side to side) the belt was squeaking. So I checked it and noticed when the wheel is turned all the way the power steering pump locks up. Like the pulley completely stops turning. That's why the belt is squeaking. I was thinking it was an alignment issue allowing the wheels to go too far In one direction but it's both ways left or right. What could cause this? Worn tie rod ends, centerlink joints etc ? Or is it a faulty pump? I checked the fluid and topped it off and it didn't help. I'm getting ready to replace all the steering and suspension components in the near future so I guess we'll see then if that helps. I'm thinking it's something in the pump loosing pressure or something to that nature. Let me know if you've ever experienced this. Thanks
 
The pump should have a pressure relief valve, and/or the gear should be able to bypass fluid at both stops. You can hear it in normal usage.

It would seem that there is a problem with that system.
 
Dana67Dart said:
The pump should have a pressure relief valve, and/or the gear should be able to bypass fluid at both stops. You can hear it in normal usage.

It would seem that there is a problem with that system.
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Awesome thanks! That's a good starting place! I'll start researching into that !
 
Dana67Dart said:
The pump should have a pressure relief valve, and/or the gear should be able to bypass fluid at both stops. You can hear it in normal usage.

It would seem that there is a problem with that system.
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Agreed.
Although I've never personally experienced this, excess hydraulic backpressure is the only thing I can think of that would make the pump completely stop turning at each end of the steering's travel; which to me would indicate that the relief system is not functioning- either a stuck/sticky valve or possibly a pinched return hose, although the return hose seems less likely.
 
Professor Fate said:
Agreed.
Although I've never personally experienced this, excess hydraulic backpressure is the only thing I can think of that would make the pump completely stop turning at each end of the steering's travel; which to me would indicate that the relief system is not functioning- either a stuck/sticky valve or possibly a pinched return hose, although the return hose seems less likely.
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Awesome thanks guys I knew i could count on yall! I've never experienced this before either. I'll tell you another symptom I forgot to mention. It's kinda hard to explain tho. So when the steering wheel hit the lock should be maxed out the belt will start squeaking and you can continue to turn the wheel but the tires don't move. Kinda like on a forklift if you ever drove one. Once you reach the max travel the steering wheel will continue to move but the wheels don't. Its not alot but it does move some
 
Change out your power steering fluid. Those valves in the power steering get gummed up over time.

Saved one caravan power steering issue with seafoam to break the gum, then a ps fluid change. Still working good today.


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George Jets said:
Change out your power steering fluid. Those valves in the power steering get gummed up over time.

Saved one caravan power steering issue with seafoam to break the gum, then a ps fluid change. Still working good today.


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Funny you say that! I bought some lucus power steering fluid and seafoam this morning just for this! I swear we think alike! Lol
 
I don't think there's anything wrong but the belt is probably glazed and or a little loose. If it's glazed it needs replacing of course, but a lot of guys don't realize the pulleys also need attention. Take a wire brush on an angle grinder and get in the pulley grooves really good and buff the heck out of them. They get glazed over too and sometimes no amount of tightening will make it quit squealing. It's normal for the pump pressure to spike when turned lock to lock. If you get a good new belt on it (Gates not Master Blow) and deglaze the pulleys, I bet it will stop that nonsense.
 
RustyRatRod said:
I don't think there's anything wrong but the belt is probably glazed and or a little loose. If it's glazed it needs replacing of course, but a lot of guys don't realize the pulleys also need attention. Take a wire brush on an angle grinder and get in the pulley grooves really good and buff the heck out of them. They get glazed over too and sometimes no amount of tightening will make it quit squealing. It's normal for the pump pressure to spike when turned lock to lock. If you get a good new belt on it (Gates not Master Blow) and deglaze the pulleys, I bet it will stop that nonsense.
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I tried that already I tightened the belt. I didn't clean the pulley tho
 
Belt may be worn and dry, I'd recommend a Dayco top cog or Gates belt. Don't go cheap on house brand belts they won't last...
 
Don't turn it full lock, it hard on the pump over pressuring it when it hits the stop.

It's not going to turn any farther anyway.

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Just another thought, as people have been talking about the frame cracking at the power steering sector mount. They put the reinforcement plate in there.

Think about it though, you turn the wheel and it hits the suspension stop. But the sector wants to keep going flexing the frame and cracking it by continually doing it.

Go easy on it, it will be a lot easier on everything.

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Here is the new Gates belt I used on the '89 truck.

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I have 2 good used rust-free power steering gear box factory braces for the 2wd 1st gens 1976-1993 if your concerned about frame cracking or flex.
 
Big.J.007 said:
Belt may be worn and dry, I'd recommend a Dayco top cog or Gates belt. Don't go cheap on house brand belts they won't last...
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Yeah and they stretch like rubber bands.
 
Big.J.007 said:
I have 2 good used rust-free power steering gear box factory braces for the 2wd 1st gens 1976-1993 if your concerned about frame cracking or flex.
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If it's not too much trouble, can you put up pictures of those steering sector frame reinforcements so people reading the thread can see what they look like?

Thanks


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Here's pics of 1. I also added pic from internet showing how it looks installed



George Jets said:
If it's not too much trouble, can you put up pictures of those steering sector frame reinforcements so people reading the thread can see what they look like?

Thanks


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Big.J.007 said:
Here's pics of 1. I also added pic from internet showing how it looks installed





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Thanks

That is the exact same brace that came factory on the '89 truck with power steering.

There must be a lot of flex force there. Even on the '89 the long arm of the brace severed right there at that elongated hole at the core support.

I drilled a 3/8" hole on the good part and bolted it for now. Going to have to get up in there with the welder and weld that crack line too.


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Apparently late 80s and early 90s got the brace.. my factory 85 2wd frame never had the Brace and never cracked.. when I had an issue with the frame I swapped to I install this Brace and a pair of wing plates from far from stock.. no issues since.
 
George Jets said:
Don't turn it full lock, it hard on the pump over pressuring it when it hits the stop.

It's not going to turn any farther anyway.

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Right! Whenever I hit the lock on a sharp turn I immediately back off just a little.
 
George Jets said:
Don't turn it full lock, it hard on the pump over pressuring it when it hits the stop.

It's not going to turn any farther anyway.

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It does it during regular driving like if your pulling out of a parking lot or backing into the driveway. I'm not doing it on purpose. The only way I could replicate it while parked was turning it lock to lock.
 
Dartfreak75 said:
It does it during regular driving like if your pulling out of a parking lot or backing into the driveway. I'm not doing it on purpose. The only way I could replicate it while parked was turning it lock to lock.
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Try putting more air pressure in your front tires.

Probably closer to 45 - 50 psi instead of 30 -35 psi. They will turn easier, less taxing to the pump.

Like manual steering, it always steers easier if the vehicle is rolling just a bit. Those wider than factory width tires are adding to the problem.

Good thing you removed the spacers, as they make it even worse putting lots of added leverage on all the steering/suspension parts.


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George Jets said:
Try putting more air pressure in your front tires.

Probably closer to 45 - 50 psi instead of 30 -35 psi. They will turn easier, less taxing to the pump.

Like manual steering, it always steers easier if the vehicle is rolling just a bit. Those wider than factory width tires are adding to the problem.

Good thing you removed the spacers, as they make it even worse putting lots of added leverage on all the steering/suspension parts.


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Im sure removing them wheel Spacers and putting normal sized tires will help alot
 
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