Coming back from the track with my 2005 3500 srw gmc duromax with the 44 foot featherlight trailer in tow on a 5th wheel. Got off of the PA turnpike and came to the first intersection where I wanted to turn right. I started to make the turn when the steering wheel locked up and the brake pedal was jumping under my foot. I couldn stop the vehicle and went up on the island before getting the vehicle stopped. It continued doing this the rest of the way home to the point I would have to go to neutral and rev the motor to turn. Took it to the dealer where they told me the fluid was smoked and the rack and hoses were leaking. With only 39000 miles on it they told me I would have to pay then I produced my extended warrenty card and it went down to a $100 payment when it is done. They said that the fluid got smoked due to several hours of driving with the trailer in near 90 degree temps. I said that it should have a P/S cooler on the truck if that is the case. I was told that the cooler off of the 7.4 would work. What do you think?

 

Welcome post up an intro thread and fill in your sig so we can tell more about you and your truck.....

i figured trucks were built to tow with and drive for extended periods of time..... i don't see how towing would add any stress on the powersteering fluid..... it's not like tranny fluid.....

 

Thats what I said. I talked to 3 other owners of duromax and they said that they had the same problem at one time or another. Is this the way it is with this setup?

 

Did they put a syn fluid in there, if not you should switch it out of some? I can't remember hearing about a problem like yours. I have and so have several other Dmax owners had a valve stick during very cold starts in which I had no brakes or power steering and the oil foaming out the cap. IIRC there was a TSB out for the leaking hoses. I would watch your pump could be going bad or something It is odd the your fluid was burnt towing shouldn't have anything to do with it.

 

I have had 3 "duromax's" and have not had that problem. The bouncing brake pedal could be as simple as the ABS, mine has done that several times when exiting the highway while going through some rough spots in the road.

As to the other things you are mentioning I am not sure.

 

People have taken a p/s cooler off a 8.1L 2500 and mounted it, they should be able to fit in the left side of the radiator underneath the fan shroud.

and when you do add it put it on the return line from the gear box back to the reservior so that it is a low pressure line and makes for the easier install with just rubber hose.

I just use atf though.