What is the relation between the brake system and the steering? I see the lines running from the steering box to the area behind the brake booster, but that's as far my knowledge goes. Never seen anything like this before.

Problem:

All of a sudden, no warning, no signs, brakes go all goofy and it disables predictable power steering. Brake pedal is hard to push from top, travels about an inch, and kicks back against my foot. Brake pedal doesn't return to up position on it's own, has to be pulled up by me. While all this excitement is happening, I am also losing power steering. No power steering while braking or until pedal returns to up position.

This is worst possible case timing seeing as though I am now on active duty and there's no excuse for being late for work, and I've got a three day weekend to get this figured out.

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Ok, after filtering my search criteria a few dozen times, I have finally learned something about the brake booster system on my truck. Turns out, this is a common system on diesels, reaching way back to the 1970's and now popular in motorsports, evidently.

Found some excellent reading and troubleshooting here on scribd.com and have educated myself on "hydroboost" braking systems. That answers my "why is my steering related to my brakes" issue. This is a must read for anyone who like myself, knows little to nothing about said system.

Tomorrow I am going to do a power steering flush and see if the outcome is favorable. Going through the provided troubleshooting on scribd, It seems as though the system is functioning properly, and hopefully it's only fluid related.

Still looking to hear from anyone knowledgeable on the system or who has had the same problem to streamline my fix action. If a flush does solve the problem, I will report on it!

 

If the newer trucks are the same the same as the older ones here most of this can be solved with a Vacuum Pump rebuild This would give you a new seal for the steering pump along with all new seals in the Vac pump that provides support for the braking system. This site is by far the best bet for gettin that fixed up. His video is simple to follow and the kit comes with all needed tools to do it in a hurry, not to mention he always answers his phone if your havin a problem. FIXINRAMS.COM

 

glad you found it. Hydroboost isn't as complicated as it sounds, plumbing is simple. Good luck!

 

Ok, as my wife would say, "I got the dumb".

It seems that my problem may be as simple as low fluid level in the power steering reservoir, as when I checked it cold, it was about 1.5" low. I couldn't tell when it was hot. So after hunting down some atf+4, I have it topped back off to the cold-full level. I will find out tomorrow if it was the fix action, as for now with toodling around the house I can't get it to duplicate the problem. We shall see! B-gone rain!

 

Well, My best guess is that my power steering pump may be on it's way out. Getting a great deal of whining at less than full turn of the wheel. No problems until operating temperature, and it's pretty exciting after that.

 

assuming you've got fluid in it, that would be my next guess

 

anyone else have the power steering crap out on them?

 

Yep. It's either clogged up, the pump has crapped out or the seal is bad. Bad seal is the cheapest and easiest thing to try along with changing the fluid. Lot a times even if it is clogged up new fluid will open it back up.

 

I agree with Bubba. But if it's got a few miles, I'd go ahead and replace the pump.

 

hate to put new fluid in it and then have to drain it to change the pump and more new fluid good luck