intermittent power steering

[Aaron Berk]

Power steering pump is about 1-1/2 yrs old and when I changed it I used Lucas ps pump fluid.

So here is what happened today/tonight.
I drove my truck to and from a few errands today, all less then 2miles from home. About 3-4 hrs between trips. had zero issues

Parked the truck in my drive, and it sat there the last 2-3 hrs?

An hr ago I pulled it out of the drive, made a HARD right and parked it on the curb and shut it off while I pulled in my minivan. Zero issues

20 min later I come out side to run to the grocery less than a mile away.
I crank the truck and go to drive off and I have zero PS.
I continue to the grocery, shop for 20min, then drive back home with NO PS.

Then just as I enter my subdivision the Power Steering kicks back in and does fine for the next 6 turns all the way into my drive.

So I'm here to run my gums about it..... and then go searching for answers

Should be a simple fix, I'm thinking I might need a fluid flush or something.
Any other thoughts?


off to searching I go

[Aaron Berk]

Alright well most of the info I'm finding is pointing towards a failing PS pump.

I'm still thinking about a sticking valve or possibly trash in the lines due to deteriorating hoses or something.

I think I'll suck out and replace the fluid in my reservoir tomorrow and just drive carefully.

[Aaron Berk]

Just got back from a 2-3 mile ride.

Truck did fantastic, no sign of Power Steering issues.
I'm still going to go out and change the fluid later on today.

[atvrider93]

Is it possible something got on the pulley and made it slip?

[Aaron Berk]

Interesting concept, and surely it could be a possibility.

However I did not previously drive in any adverse road conditions, and the hood hasn't been opened in a few wks. and we haven't had rain in a few days.

My serpentine belt has seen better days though, and I do get a squawk out of it almost every time I shut off the engine.



Thanks for the input.
I'm running out to Napa once they call me about the arrival of the parts for my/our minivan, then I'll pop my hood after doing my wife's brakes and see whats up with my truck.

[atvrider93]

Well I meant more like if something might be leaking onto it. I know this is a totally different animal but my grandmothers Subaru was having intermittent power steering issues and while in there I also noticed she was low on coolant. Her coolant was leaking onto the belt which was then slipping over the pulley.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC against my will

[Aaron Berk]

Ahh Haa, I get it.

I'll make sure and check while I'm in there.
Thanks.

[backwoodsboy]

Check you brake boost vacuum pump. Had a similar issue a while back. Solved itself on my way home however when the v/p decided to chew a bearing and shred the belt. My best guess is that the seal/bearings being worn caused it to drop some brake fluid on the p/s pulley when I parked the truck.

[Aaron Berk]

does it matter that I did nothing?

I went out and checked the fluid level and it was fine.......

Things came up and I left the truck alone.

I've been driving the snot out of it though with no issues.