hard to steer? Steering problems?

What has been replaced?

Nothing has been replaced yet to alleviate this problem. (yrs ago replaced one tie rod end) This just started and I wanted to go at it with some direction rather than just start changing parts at random. Joe Grinder

Hello, I currently own a 2003 Dakota 4.7 with 151k miles. I myself have not experienced this in my truck, but I am willing to bet that it is your intermediate shaft in the steering column. Try to spray the u-joint on the shaft at the connection before the rack with some WD-40 and see if the steering improves. Typically when its cold outside it will feel even worse with this issue.

Juiced up ujoint at top & bottom of intermediate shaft w/WD-40. Tried to pull back the rubber seals and soak it good. Can't really tell if it helped while frt end is up off the ground. Seems easier but no resistance so gotta wait.
Not going out tonight cuz we got dumped with 5 inches of snow. ( a little north of Det.) Let you know when I get a few miles on it, after the weekend.
JG

While you have it off the ground. You can disconnect the outer tie-rods from the steering knuckles and just move the spindle back and forth to check and see if it is the ball joints are binding up. Just to rule one more thing out.

Thanx, I'm on it. JG

I soaked upper & lower steering ujoint w/WD-40 & Liquid Wrench. rotated wheel from stop to stop several times. Let it set overnight. Next day I removed upper ujoint and moved shaft as far as posible in all directions. Seemed smooth so I reassembled it and left it set outside overnight. Next two days I drove all over and the problem of rough steering is totally gone. Truck drives better than new. Real cheap repair and so far -so good. Thanx. Joe

Awesome! That's good to hear. Hopefully it won't come back for a while. If it does then you will just need to replace the joint.

power steering sometime it hard to turn. pump not moving fuel though.

When is "sometimes"? Engine cold? Only when truck is not moving? Does this occur only when the engine is idling, and does the power assist come back when you raise engine speed?

What do you mean by, "Pump not moving fuel though"? What does gas have to do with the power steering?

I had a hard steering issue since last spring. It seems that the colder it is, the harder the steering gets. It may get a bit easier as the engine warms when the temperature is in the 50's. Below that the steering stays stiff. Above that the steering gets progressively easier. When the temp gets above 70, the steering seems normal but a bit stiff upon start up. I have replaced the ps pump and purged the system of old fluid as you suggested but that has not helped the stiffness. The belt is in great and shows no sign of slipping. I am assuming the next step would be to have the power rack repaired or replaced.

normally the belt and tensioner should be replaced at 60k but you dont' have that so your seals may be bad so have that checked.

Are you talking about the seals in the rack?

yes they get hard and flid goes past them and you get what is called morning sickness it screws up when cold but as it warms up it gets better

the steering is getting stiff of and on.

Inspect power steering fluid level and make sure it isn't burnt. If OK, suspect power steering pump to be giving out since the problem is intermittent.




Thanks for using 2CarPros.com!

the truck is hard to steer especially left and right turns,it is full of fluid and there are no leaks,what could be going on,i think the pump is good and not sure about rack and pinon so what do you think?it is really hard to steer

The only way to really tell how the pump is doing is to do pressure test on the pump. If the pressure is there then you can suspect other parts.

i have good pressure,did a pressure test,pressure is good,what now?

If you have good pressure and flow at the rack and pion then you know that pump and hoses are good and I would say bad rack and pion.Have you unhooked the outer tie rods to make sure the wheels move freely?

i unhooked the outer tie rods and the wheels are moving freely,so what now?

If you tested the flow rate and pressure at the rack and its all good bad rack.

I have a power steering problem. When I turn the wheel it works at first then it becomes a little harded to turn, just off and on. Please let me know if you have herd of this problem.


Thanks

Have you noticed if there are any leaks from the rack and pinion? Also, it the PS fluid full?

Let me know.

Joe

It was a hose that was leaking
Thank you for getting back so soon

Hello,
My 4x4 Dakota power steering has become stiff when turning left and right under 50mph. It turns hard for about 1/4 turn then it goes normal and the same thing going back straight. I am going to replace the main belt, because it has been a long time. All the fluids are normal and there doesn't seem to be any leaks.

Any help is appreciated.

Marty

Marty, does it make any difference when the steering fluid warm or cold? If you turn the steering wheel all the way and "hard" to one side, can you hear the pump bypass? Please advise.

Hi james

Thanks for the reply. I can hear the "whining" sound when I turn the steering wheel like the pump is working. When the wheel is all the way to one side I can hear the system laboring. When I turn the steering wheel it is an odd feeling. It isn't really really stiff like an old car w/o PS, but it is an alternating stiffness that comes and goes while turning the wheel.
Hope this helps.

Sounds like you need a new rack. If you change the rack, be sure you flush the PS system as best you can. You don't want to carry the aluminum sediment to a new rack.

The entire steering rack system should be replaced? Is there anything else that should be replaced while I am doing the work. Is this difficult to do, or should I hire someone to do it?
Thanks again.

Yes, the rack comes, either new or rebuilt, as an assembly. It's not a hard replacement,but it takes some time. It can usually be done with basic hand tools. BUT, after you replace the rack, if you do it yourself, you'll need to get the front end aligned to make sure everything is square to the world.

Thanks for the help James. I will pick up a new rack tonight and tackle this job first thing in the morning. I will let you know how it goes.

have a good Easter.

Thanks guy, HE to you. Once you have the new rack laying on the floor you'll better know how the old one comes out. Just don't forget about the alignment or it may eat your tires up.

Can I ask how hard is to replace tha rack? My friend have this problem before but he let a mechanic do the job.

It's not a "hard" job, it's just kinda' close quarters. Once you get the old one out, the new one is a piece 'a cake. The only thing I need to warn you about is be sure you have your alignment checked afterwards. You can get it close, but it will eat tires if it's not dead on. I'm a Dodge man.