my buddys 2002 dodge 2500 is having some steering issues. it feels like there is little to no power assist untill you get the revs up to about 1500rpm. when i press the brake and pull the wheel as i fire it up if gives it some boost but not like it should, very difficult to steer at low speed and the brakes feel like theres no assist...

the tube or cylinder looking thing under the exhaust manifold, im not sure what it is but the lines coming off of it are leaking at the connection by the steering box. there's also fluid running down the bell housing and it doesn't smell like trans fluid or oil, probably steering fluid. the fluid went down about 1/4" on the dipstick within a 5-10 mile drive.

two things may have contributed to the problem starting
one- he hit the front end on a rock wheeling it and it bent the stabilizer, we took it off and it worked good for a day.
two- today he just raced it against a ford 3 times and it started leaking directly afterward.

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it also just started leaking a good bit of trans fluid... i was surprised to find there's no trans temp guage on 02 dodges so i cant tell you the temp. the dipstick was showing to be a good bit overfull.

 

Sounds like it's time to do a Vacuum pump rebuild. This will replace the seal between the vacuum pump and power steering pump to give him good pressure back and the Vacuum pump rebuild will help out the brake problem.

This guy sells a rebuild kit that comes with all the seals, special tools and step by step video to do this rebuild. FIXINRAMS.COM

 

vacuum pump? is that whats in between the power steering pump and what looks to be the timing cover? is it driven of the cam gear or what. or is it the tube looking thing under the manifold? im kind of new to working on cummins.

 

The steering gear is between the vacuum pump and the power steering. It is driven off of a gear from the power steering. The seal between the two wears out and it leaks fluid and pressure from the steering and if that seal is bad typically the Vac pump seals are bad also and that affects brakes, 4wd engagement, cruise control and so on. It's an easy fix for well under $100 with the rebuild kit.

 

alright, i told him to try that kit out. if it doesn't work i guess a new power steering pump would be in order.

 

Any update?

 

His last activity was yesterday. Bumping this thread may get his attention??