powersteering issues

[nvrhapy]

i just replaced the powersteering cooler on my 96 sport because my steering seemed stiff and i noticed the cooller had a small leak, well after i replaced it i checked for leaks and seen none so i gave it a test drive and the stiffness in the steering is still there. what else could be the problem? could driving it this way increase chances of damage? when i turn left or right the stteering is stiff and does not return to the center position i have to turn the wheel back straight after a turn? i am running 33 inch tires with a lift. any suggestons would be nice.

 

[nvrhapy]

anybody have any ideas?

 

[ExplorerDMB]

Hard steering? when did you have your last alignment? It may be off enough to give you some hard steering

-Drew

 

[nvrhapy]

well my alighnment is off considering i did the TT but i plan on putting spindles on in a couple weeks so thats why i nvr got an allignment. i just didn't think that an alignment would give you stiff steering, teh truck doesn't pull at all either so i don't know. after the TT i believe that the steering felt normal though and the powersteering problem just started over the winter. is there any way to test the system.

 

[ExplorerDMB]

No, alignment issues CAN give you hard steering. I'm not saying that's the issue, but that is something that can cause hard steering

-Drew

 

[explrths]

It could be the pump. Mine went out after the lift/tires went on.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Was the pump making noise? Is your belt slipping that is running the pump? Maybe one of the P/S lines is a little kinked, or pinched. That could restrict the fluid's circulation.

 

[nvrhapy]

the pump hasn't made any noise and the belt seems fine. i haven't seen any kinked lines but i'll look harder tomorrow. if i jack up the the truck and check the steering that way do you think that will tell me anything?

 

[BrooklynBay]

It would definitely feel a lot looser without those tires pressing on the ground. Check for any clicking noises while you turn the wheel from one side to another.

 

[explrths]

You might need to check for air in the lines. When I lost my serpentine belt, it screwed up a few things. After I changed the fluid and got it to cycle thru, it worked fine.

 

[nvrhapy]

how would i go about checking for air in the lines???

 

[BrooklynBay]

To bleed out air in your system, you have to turn the wheel from one side to another a few times. If there was any noise in it from air, it would get bled out when you do this.