Very Hard to Turn Left & Right

[STEVENOVAK]

I have a 2003 Ram 1500 4x4. Drove in snow for a couple days, now it is very difficult to turn my wheel left and right. Power steering is full and it happens in 4Hi, 4lo, and 2wd. The wheel barely moves and i have to really muscle it inch by inch, anyone know whats wrong?

 

[newrammer]

Even though PS is full that's got it written all over it. Does the pump make any noises?

 

[STEVENOVAK]

no but if i speed up turning gets easier. sitting still or turning corners i have to muscle it to turn. if i rev the engine while sitting still, it gets very easy for me to turn the wheel left and right

 

[STEVENOVAK]

Even though PS is full that's got it written all over it. Does the pump make any noises?

no but if i speed up turning gets easier. sitting still or turning corners i have to muscle it to turn. if i rev the engine while sitting still, it gets very easy for me to turn the wheel left and right

 

[MagSport]

Sounds like the pump is failing or failed. It will always be easier to steer the truck while moving because you're taking some of the weight off of the front tires. If your steering is hard but gets easier the more revs you give it, your actual fluid pump that pressurizes the system inside the ps pump is likely going or gone. Kinda strange for it to not be making any noises or indications though.


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[Yeret]

My sister has the exact same issue with her F-150. The pump makes absolutely no noises, but she complains of extremely stiff steering at idle, but when the engine is revved, it suddenly becomes easy.

The guys on the F-150 forum all point to the power steering pump failing as well. Something along the lines of the vanes of the pump wearing to the point where they won't generate much pressure at idle, but revving the engine spins them fast enough to generate enough pressure to easily turn the wheel. Eventually of course, the vanes will wear to the point where even revving the engine won't generate adequate pressure.

 

[MoparMagic'00]

dont these have a filter that can become clogged and not allow enough pressure through? just a thought

 

[steermaster]

Thats a pump failure, exact same problem with my truck. You will need to rent the pulley removal tool to take pulley off the old pump...or you can get the special tool from harbor freight for about 10-15 bucks.