Electric Power Steering. Tried it all.

[BryceFL]

Car Details: 2016 Ram 1500, 3.6L vvt FLEX fuel, 86k miles.



It was a rainy day. Pulled out of a parking lot hearing the dreaded clunks then BOOM powersteering became shot.


Codes recovered:
P0457, C121C, P0349, P0390, P06DD, U1424,P1DD2, P06DD, P0440, P0457


Used a circuit tester to test both the fuse in the fuse box and the fuse on the terminal linked to the steering.

Also used the circuit tester right where the wires link to the power steering rack. Circuit tester showed positive.


Really hoping I don’t have to shell out 2k$+ to replace the whole steering rack. Any ideas on what to try?

 

[crazykid1994]

You could try opening it up to diagnose what failed. Not sure how many people have done that. Or find someone to send it out to repair it possibly?

 

[Wild one]

Not saying the belt is your issue,but they have been known to break the odd time.

https://www.amazon.com/Power-Steering-Seals-Electronic-Drive/dp/B07NDS1HGG#:~:text=Electric%20Steering%20Rack%20and%20Pinion,Belt%20measures%20376x34mm.

 

[Redfisher1974]

Id open the little trap door and see if there’s green fuzzies on circuit board or water damage

 

[NETim]

Clean the snot out of the connectors with a plastics safe electronics cleaner. Can't hurt to try anyway. Good luck!

 

[BryceFL]

Id open the little trap door and see if there’s green fuzzies on circuit board or water damage

what is this trap door?

 

[Redfisher1974]

what is this trap door?

 

[turkeybird56]

If all your fuses good, and you clean/reconnect all connectors, dang good possibility that lil belt in the EPS has gone awry.

 

[BryceFL]

If all your fuses good, and you clean/reconnect all connectors, dang good possibility that lil belt in the EPS has gone awry.

where can I find this little belt? Got a picture of it? if its inside the rack then will i need some sorta sealant or gasket to replace when i open that suka up?

 

[NETim]

where can I find this little belt? Got a picture of it? if its inside the rack then will i need some sorta sealant or gasket to replace when i open that suka up?

I've seen the belt itself sold on eBay, but I'm sure it's available elsewhere.

The only YT video I've found on the Ram belt is this one:

https://youtube.com/shorts/uUBGzX7XxMY?si=X1E1tCQrTfrtFCT9


It's not very good IMHO. Very little detail but you do get to see the unit with the cover off of it. I'm pretty sure it's accessed from the passenger side.

There are tons of Ford PS belt videos though. I imagine there's not a huge difference between the Ram and Ford units.

 

[BryceFL]

o

I've seen the belt itself sold on eBay, but I'm sure it's available elsewhere.

The only YT video I've found on the Ram belt is this one:

https://youtube.com/shorts/uUBGzX7XxMY?si=X1E1tCQrTfrtFCT9


It's not very good IMHO. Very little detail but you do get to see the unit with the cover off of it. I'm pretty sure it's accessed from the passenger side.

There are tons of Ford PS belt videos though. I imagine there's not a huge difference between the Ram and Ford units.

oh crap id need to take the whole thing apart… doesnt look like theres anyway to do this while normally prked

 

[BryceFL]

I've seen the belt itself sold on eBay, but I'm sure it's available elsewhere.

The only YT video I've found on the Ram belt is this one:

https://youtube.com/shorts/uUBGzX7XxMY?si=X1E1tCQrTfrtFCT9


It's not very good IMHO. Very little detail but you do get to see the unit with the cover off of it. I'm pretty sure it's accessed from the passenger side.

There are tons of Ford PS belt videos though. I imagine there's not a huge difference between the Ram and Ford units.

Also, it still steers… its just gota put some forearm grease into gettin it to turn

 

[NETim]

o

oh crap id need to take the whole thing apart… doesnt look like theres anyway to do this while normally prked

I found a YT video describing replacing the PS unit. The left front wheel and fender liner have to be removed to do that. I'm not sure if that would be needed to replace the belt but I have a feeling it would be needed to be done.

 

[Wild one]

where can I find this little belt? Got a picture of it? if its inside the rack then will i need some sorta sealant or gasket to replace when i open that suka up?

I gave you a link to it,if you look. But here it is again.

https://www.amazon.com/Power-Steering-Seals-Electronic-Drive/dp/B07NDS1HGG?tag=ramforum-20

 

[BryceFL]

I gave you a link to it,if you look. But here it is again.

https://www.amazon.com/Power-Steering-Seals-Electronic-Drive/dp/B07NDS1HGG?tag=ramforum-20

Thank you so much. Saved me thousands. My belt was snapped in half inside the steering rack. Replaced it and now it steers like BUTTER!

 

[MRFREEZE57]

Thank you so much. Saved me thousands. My belt was snapped in half inside the steering rack. Replaced it and now it steers like BUTTER!

Was that belt very difficult to replace? This is good info to know.

 

[Wild one]

Was that belt very difficult to replace? This is good info to know.

I've never done one,but as far as i know it can be done in truck,but you have to remove the pass side tie rod and internal tie rod,to install the belt .

https://www.buyautoparts.com/blog/dodge-ram-electric-steering-racks/

 

[MRFREEZE57]

I've never done one,but as far as i know it can be done in truck,but you have to remove the pass side tie rod and internal tie rod,to install the belt .

https://www.buyautoparts.com/blog/dodge-ram-electric-steering-racks/

Found a you tube video of a guy doing one on a F150, looked about the same as the one for RAM, while he had the unit removed, later said could be done so without removing the unit.

 

[Wild one]

Found a you tube video of a guy doing one on a F150, looked about the same as the one for RAM, while he had the unit removed, later said could be done so without removing the unit.

2013 Ram 1500 Total Power Steering Loss. Do not buy $1500 new rack until you have done this. Save $.

This applies to many dodge trucks starting from 2013 Ram 1500 to 2019 Ram and more. I’ve seen thousands of posts about these generation Rams Power Steering s...

www.youtube.com

 

[Yardbird]

Wouldn't it be easier over all to go ahead and remove the whole unit? Even IF it took a little longer, at least the job could be done on a bench.

40 plus years ago I would have done it on the truck, but, I've also rebuilt a lot of car engines in the car also.
Now, I can't do all those floor exercises like I once could.