Pressure in power steering reservoir

[vwrestler171]

I have a 2003 Ram 2500 and im getting pressure building up in the power steering fluid reservoir. The pump and steering gear are new and im getting issues to where I can't turn the wheel if im stopped in place. Backing a boat in the lake is getting complicated.

Any thoughts on why im getting pressure in the reservoir?

 

[huntergreen]

Is the pressure relief valve functioning ?

 

[vwrestler171]

Is the pressure relief valve functioning ?

Where is that?

 

[huntergreen]

Where is that?

Inside the pump.

 

[vwrestler171]

Inside the pump.

At this point I don't know. The pump was replaced because of the issue, but nothing changed. How can I test it?

 

[huntergreen]

Not sure, it’s not unheard of to get bad parts right of the box.

 

[vwrestler171]

Not sure, it’s not unheard of to get bad parts right of the box.

It would be 2 bad pumps out of the box as we changed it twice thinking the same thing. We are at a loss at this point.

 

[Daw14]

Bad return hose , possibly internal.

 

[vwrestler171]

Bad return hose , possibly internal.

Internal what? About the only thing we haven't replaced are the lines, so that one is an easy fix.

 

[RamDiver]

Internal what? About the only thing we haven't replaced are the lines, so that one is an easy fix.

Before beginning a parts swapping project, how did you bleed the system, and how long did you spend on the procedure?

I understand that excessive trapped air can contribute to an over-pressure condition.

.

 

[huntergreen]

Just out of curiosity, did you use the correct fluid ? Bleed the system properly ?

 

[huntergreen]

Just out of curiosity, did you use the correct fluid ? Bleed the system properly ?

Oops ram driver beat me to this.

 

[Dean2]

If you didn't use the wrong fluid, and you did a proper bleed of the system, the air has to be coming from somewhere. Since you have replaced the pump twice my guess is a small pinhole leak in one of the hoses or the fitting(s) on the hoses, either at the pump or the steering box, allowing air into the system. Also, is the steering box leaking?

The power steering system does not generate air pressure of its own, only hydraulic pressure.

 

[Sherman Bird]

If you didn't use the wrong fluid, and you did a proper bleed of the system, the air has to be coming from somewhere. Since you have replaced the pump twice my guess is a small pinhole leak in one of the hoses or the fitting(s) on the hoses, either at the pump or the steering box, allowing air into the system. Also, is the steering box leaking?

The power steering system does not generate air pressure of its own, only hydraulic pressure.

He might have a small air leak on the suction hose. This is a problem which has plagued Honda and Toyota owners for decades. I've seen MANY well meaning folks throw parts at this very problem with no improvements. One customer came to me after another shop cleaned out his wallet while attempting to fix this very problem on a Sienna Van by replacing the pump and rack.
When I told the customer I would be able to fix the problem with a 1 dollar o-ring, he scoffed and almost called me a liar.
I proposed that I replace the o-ring, and that if it didn't fix the problem, (which it did) he wouldn't owe me anything.... not that the charge was very much.

 

[vwrestler171]

Before beginning a parts swapping project, how did you bleed the system, and how long did you spend on the procedure?

I understand that excessive trapped air can contribute to an over-pressure condition.

.

We filled the fluid to the low level on the lipstick and then turned the wheels by hand quite a few times. Then started the truck with the wheels off the ground and kept slowly turning the wheels for about 5-10 mins keeping an eye on the fluid and adding as needed. Finally when it didn't seem like it was taking any fluid, we put the cap on and took a few test drives, making sure to keep popping the cap to finish bleeding the system, but it's been quite a while and gard to believe that we haven't got all the air out by now.