ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Tinman14

Junior Member
Joined
Sep 12, 2024
Posts
6
Reaction score
4
Location
Oregon
Ram Year
2019
Engine
6.7L CUMMINS
ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID

I want to point out that I searched every sight (Google, YouTube and this 5th Jen Forum) along with a few others that ONLY talk about 4th generation trucks. My attached photos show a white reservoir (black on all other years) that only holds about 10 - 12 oz of fluid (like a ten or 12 oz. coffee cup) and the steel tubing that I think are the return and supply tubes. The upper tube is where I found the fluid coming from. No one has ever worked on anything that involved or anything around this area except to change batteries and I was there watching. That upper tube was just finger tight? All so the upper tube where it connects to the tube going into the dash area has no white line that should show that it was checked at the factory. The lower tube has a white line on both tubes matching across each other. I don’t know if that means anything but I thought that means some kind of plant inspection showing that things were property installed?

What I read on all of the sights is I have to get the front tires off the ground so it would make it easier to turn the steering wheel while adding fluid. That’s what I did but when you put fluid back into the reservoir (10 oz at a time) it will back up out of the reservoir. I found out the hard way that you have to go VERY VERY slow or it will pump it up and out of the reservoir. SO cleaned up that mess and proceeded to turn the steering this time with the cap installed. I started to pump slowly but it still built up pressure and oil came out around the installed cap. I now left the cap off and turned the steering wheel VERY slowly and was able to get about 5 oz into the reservoir. When I say slowly I mean about 5 to 8 minutes for about 4 ozs. to disappear.

Let see it takes 3 ½ quarts to fill up the power steering so It will (I think you know where I am going with this)…….. NOW I know everything is always correct on the internet but when it says to turn on the engine when adding oil all I can see is a giant gusher blowing up to the sealing of my garage or all over my truck. I know just go and take a shower, put a big plastic on me and let it blow. That might be interesting…….

THE BIG QUESTION IS…. HOW do you add power steering fluid to a 2019 Ram 3500 400HP truck?

JUST A LITTLE NOTE: I found out when I was jacking up the truck that the little screw jack that comes with the truck will not take a front tire off the floor. You need a 4x4 under it. I had to get my hydraulic jacks and jack stands from my shop 400 ft down hill . Boy what a day …..
 

Attachments

  • Steering 1.jpg
    Steering 1.jpg
    88.8 KB · Views: 17
  • Steering 2.jpg
    Steering 2.jpg
    166.8 KB · Views: 17

turkeybird56

Military Vet 1976-1996 Retired US Army
Military
Joined
Aug 2, 2018
Posts
21,821
Reaction score
49,126
Location
Central Texas
Ram Year
2019 Bighorn, 4 X 4, 3.21 rear, Bright Flame Red Pearl Coat, Mopar tonneau cover,Westin Bed rug
Engine
Hemi 5.7
1: U Neva ADD fluid with truck running.
2: The pressure lines on PS pump return 120 psi on sending side monster psi. Never pull either line when truck running.
3: PS line finger tight. Oh heck no. I have never torqued a nut for line but they gotta be a lot more than finger tight. Just don’t he man the lines.
4: The PS reservoir cap should either have a stick attached underneath with graduated lines showing full cold and full hot or the reservoir should be marked/have lines.
5: Fill to low line and run and add as needed to get fluid in operating range.
6: Not sure if U have to purge air been a long time since I played with PS units someone else needs to chime in.
7: If filled properly and blowing fluid after all above checked U got a PS unit problem or a clog in line or pump somewhere.


8: All above IMHO only based on past experience mostly GM.

9: I am no mechanic. If U can’t get it setup properly take somewhere reputable and get diagnosed and repaired.
 

Jimmy07

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2017
Posts
3,388
Reaction score
3,223
Ram Year
2017
Engine
6.4 Hemi
ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID

I want to point out that I searched every sight (Google, YouTube and this 5th Jen Forum) along with a few others that ONLY talk about 4th generation trucks. My attached photos show a white reservoir (black on all other years) that only holds about 10 - 12 oz of fluid (like a ten or 12 oz. coffee cup) and the steel tubing that I think are the return and supply tubes. The upper tube is where I found the fluid coming from. No one has ever worked on anything that involved or anything around this area except to change batteries and I was there watching. That upper tube was just finger tight? All so the upper tube where it connects to the tube going into the dash area has no white line that should show that it was checked at the factory. The lower tube has a white line on both tubes matching across each other. I don’t know if that means anything but I thought that means some kind of plant inspection showing that things were property installed?

What I read on all of the sights is I have to get the front tires off the ground so it would make it easier to turn the steering wheel while adding fluid. That’s what I did but when you put fluid back into the reservoir (10 oz at a time) it will back up out of the reservoir. I found out the hard way that you have to go VERY VERY slow or it will pump it up and out of the reservoir. SO cleaned up that mess and proceeded to turn the steering this time with the cap installed. I started to pump slowly but it still built up pressure and oil came out around the installed cap. I now left the cap off and turned the steering wheel VERY slowly and was able to get about 5 oz into the reservoir. When I say slowly I mean about 5 to 8 minutes for about 4 ozs. to disappear.

Let see it takes 3 ½ quarts to fill up the power steering so It will (I think you know where I am going with this)…….. NOW I know everything is always correct on the internet but when it says to turn on the engine when adding oil all I can see is a giant gusher blowing up to the sealing of my garage or all over my truck. I know just go and take a shower, put a big plastic on me and let it blow. That might be interesting…….

THE BIG QUESTION IS…. HOW do you add power steering fluid to a 2019 Ram 3500 400HP truck?

JUST A LITTLE NOTE: I found out when I was jacking up the truck that the little screw jack that comes with the truck will not take a front tire off the floor. You need a 4x4 under it. I had to get my hydraulic jacks and jack stands from my shop 400 ft down hill . Boy what a day …..
Do not run the truck or turn the steering wheel when filling the power steering system. Leave the truck off, fill reservoir to max, apply 20-25”hg vacuum to the reservoir bottle for 3 minutes. Slowly release pressure, and if the fluid level drops, fill back to max and repeat until the level doesn’t drop anymore. THEN start the truck, turn steering wheel lock to lock three times, and you’re done.
 

turkeybird56

Military Vet 1976-1996 Retired US Army
Military
Joined
Aug 2, 2018
Posts
21,821
Reaction score
49,126
Location
Central Texas
Ram Year
2019 Bighorn, 4 X 4, 3.21 rear, Bright Flame Red Pearl Coat, Mopar tonneau cover,Westin Bed rug
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Do not run the truck or turn the steering wheel when filling the power steering system. Leave the truck off, fill reservoir to max, apply 20-25”hg vacuum to the reservoir bottle for 3 minutes. Slowly release pressure, and if the fluid level drops, fill back to max and repeat until the level doesn’t drop anymore. THEN start the truck, turn steering wheel lock to lock three times, and you’re done.
U might have to explain that vacuum U R talking about to include wat is used. I personally Neva used any reverse system crept my dry/wet vac to drain ac lines on house, I just burped the unit. U definitely need to annotate wat used and maybe a few pics or url link. All IMHO.
 
OP
OP
Tinman14

Tinman14

Junior Member
Joined
Sep 12, 2024
Posts
6
Reaction score
4
Location
Oregon
Ram Year
2019
Engine
6.7L CUMMINS
Thanks for the information. I don't think there is any way to get vacuum to the reservoir with out starting the engine.
I guess I will have to take the truck (tow) to dealer. I hate to do that. The dealer I like is 60 miles from me. I don't think my tow service will go that far. I sure hope I get more information from this site. THANKS AGAIN FOR THE INFO
I have to laugh at my self... I kept spelling TOW TOE...
 

White six four

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2019
Posts
650
Reaction score
1,161
Location
Wisconsin
Ram Year
2016
Engine
6.4
Take a picture and post it here of where the leak is.

The leak needs to be fixed first. Or at least I would before worrying about adding or bleeding the system.
 
OP
OP
Tinman14

Tinman14

Junior Member
Joined
Sep 12, 2024
Posts
6
Reaction score
4
Location
Oregon
Ram Year
2019
Engine
6.7L CUMMINS
The photos I attached show #1 the white plastic reservoir.
#2 shows the two black steel tubing (right hand side) that direct the flow of the fluid.
The fluid was coming from the top steel tube that was just finger tight. Why it was loose
I have no idea. I did tighten it up but I think I better check again it just might be broken (cracked) fitting.
Sure Could Use More Information. I just want to check if that's all I need is fluid or do I have to take to dealer?
 

White six four

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2019
Posts
650
Reaction score
1,161
Location
Wisconsin
Ram Year
2016
Engine
6.4
A closer up picture would still be better then a picture of the whole engine bay and your garage wall. Not many people like playing Where's Waldo when trying to help someone out especially when they're not right beside the truck.

Anyways, there's only one way to know if it's now tight enough or the fitting itself or line is broken. Add fluid engine not running til its at the max/full level. Cap on start truck turn the wheel lock to lock and look for leaks. If no leaks keep on going lock to lock until the air is bleed out. Don't let the reservoir run dry otherwise you'll have to do it all over again. If the reservoir starts getting low shut off truck and fill back up to the max or full line. Then continue. When done fill back up to the full mark if needed.
 

Sherman Bird

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 28, 2019
Posts
2,385
Reaction score
4,674
Location
Houston, Texas
Ram Year
1998
Engine
5.2
ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID

I want to point out that I searched every sight (Google, YouTube and this 5th Jen Forum) along with a few others that ONLY talk about 4th generation trucks. My attached photos show a white reservoir (black on all other years) that only holds about 10 - 12 oz of fluid (like a ten or 12 oz. coffee cup) and the steel tubing that I think are the return and supply tubes. The upper tube is where I found the fluid coming from. No one has ever worked on anything that involved or anything around this area except to change batteries and I was there watching. That upper tube was just finger tight? All so the upper tube where it connects to the tube going into the dash area has no white line that should show that it was checked at the factory. The lower tube has a white line on both tubes matching across each other. I don’t know if that means anything but I thought that means some kind of plant inspection showing that things were property installed?

What I read on all of the sights is I have to get the front tires off the ground so it would make it easier to turn the steering wheel while adding fluid. That’s what I did but when you put fluid back into the reservoir (10 oz at a time) it will back up out of the reservoir. I found out the hard way that you have to go VERY VERY slow or it will pump it up and out of the reservoir. SO cleaned up that mess and proceeded to turn the steering this time with the cap installed. I started to pump slowly but it still built up pressure and oil came out around the installed cap. I now left the cap off and turned the steering wheel VERY slowly and was able to get about 5 oz into the reservoir. When I say slowly I mean about 5 to 8 minutes for about 4 ozs. to disappear.

Let see it takes 3 ½ quarts to fill up the power steering so It will (I think you know where I am going with this)…….. NOW I know everything is always correct on the internet but when it says to turn on the engine when adding oil all I can see is a giant gusher blowing up to the sealing of my garage or all over my truck. I know just go and take a shower, put a big plastic on me and let it blow. That might be interesting…….

THE BIG QUESTION IS…. HOW do you add power steering fluid to a 2019 Ram 3500 400HP truck?

JUST A LITTLE NOTE: I found out when I was jacking up the truck that the little screw jack that comes with the truck will not take a front tire off the floor. You need a 4x4 under it. I had to get my hydraulic jacks and jack stands from my shop 400 ft down hill . Boy what a day …..
Puking fluid from the top of the reservoir means a leak somewhere in the suction side of the pump. I see this ALL THE TIME! Hondas do it when a 10 cent o-ring gets old/shrinks and will allow air into the system under suction, but no leaks are present. Sometimes, a very slight mist of seepage is present.

I had a pi$$y customer who argued vehemently about this, because it is counter intuitive. So, I told the customer that I'd replace the suction o-ring, and if it didn't fix the puking, there would be no charge. Of course, it fixed the problem. A loose suction hose as you describe will do it also. My 2004 RX330 suction hose got old/brittle and was loose at the P/S pump, and the thing whined and puked. I got the hose at O'Reilly's and put it on, problem solved yet again.
 
Top