Power steering problem?
02-11-2011
#1
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 58
Power steering problem?
Over the last week or so, I have noticed that my truck is hard to steer. The steering wheel doesn't center itself going around a corner anymore. It almost feels like driving with 2 flat tires. I do not believe that my front hubs are locked in, haven't checked yet though. Power steering fluid is just above the min line when cold and just below the max line when hot. I've done some searching and found possible problems from the rack and pinion to a high pressure valve. I'm really at a loss here and am a little concerned about doing some expensive damage. I should add that the problem is worse when it is cold and seems to get little better as the truck warms up. Anybody have any ideas?
edit: the issue is intermittent
edit: the issue is intermittent
Last edited by canadian_screw; 02-12-2011 at 06:42 PM.
02-11-2011
#3
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 58
No noise that I can hear (40 series flow on the truck). What is the easiest way to see of the hubs are locked? I've punched the throttle in the gravel parking lot at work and only the rear tires broke loose. I'm thinking I should be able to turn my front driveshaft with the truck on all fours, if the hubs are UNLOCKED? The truck goes 'into' 4 HI fine, no unusual noises or clunks. I haven't checked into the 4wd any further than that
02-12-2011
#4
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Location: Arlington, WA
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Jack the front end up and with the truck not running, see if you can rotate the CV's by hand. You should not be able to rotate them. Next, start your truck. The hubs should now be unlocked and able to rotate freely by hand. Now select 4wd-the hubs should lock again. Select back to 2wd and your hubs should unlock. When you turn your truck off, the hubs should lock again.
02-12-2011
#6
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I donned my rubber ducky rain gear and braved the rain. With the truck running in 2wd I can turn both of the cv's by hand. Flip it into 4 hi and I can't turn either one, so I know my hubs are working properly. Would it be possible, since this is an intermittent issue that the solenoid could be fuggard? It is the older one without the shield
02-12-2011
#7
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02-12-2011
#8
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Location: Oregon
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Doubt it. There shouldn't be hardly any extra steering resistance with the hubs engaged.
I ran with mine engaged several hundred miles after I re-geared by unplugging the vacuum solenoid. No noticeable difference in driving habits. Don't forget that the rangers after 2000 and the explorers had live axles and you really couldn't feel a difference between the late and early rangers either.
I ran with mine engaged several hundred miles after I re-geared by unplugging the vacuum solenoid. No noticeable difference in driving habits. Don't forget that the rangers after 2000 and the explorers had live axles and you really couldn't feel a difference between the late and early rangers either.
02-12-2011
#10
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 58
Doubt it. There shouldn't be hardly any extra steering resistance with the hubs engaged.
I ran with mine engaged several hundred miles after I re-geared by unplugging the vacuum solenoid. No noticeable difference in driving habits. Don't forget that the rangers after 2000 and the explorers had live axles and you really couldn't feel a difference between the late and early rangers either.
I ran with mine engaged several hundred miles after I re-geared by unplugging the vacuum solenoid. No noticeable difference in driving habits. Don't forget that the rangers after 2000 and the explorers had live axles and you really couldn't feel a difference between the late and early rangers either.
