ok, first gen dodge 12v

took a trip the other day and drive about 4hrs highway, pulled into a toll booth and had no power steering, took a look and it was pretty low, so I topped it off and went on my way, still didnt work worth a crap.

I replaced the pump and lines a month or so ago, had no leaks other than a drip from the gearbox here and there so its a mystery as to wwhere the fluid went. what I filled it with is still in there 400 miles later but i cant tell if its circulating.

at idle I cant turn the wheels at all, at high rpm's i can turn them a little but with some omph to move the wheel. plenty of travel feels normal to drive on highway, but normal roads i have to wind out 1st or 2nd gear to get enough turn to swing a corner wide.

new pump dead?
gearbox died?

any way to test them?

 

It probably leaks more going the road due to deflection caused by worn gear under load at pressure stressing or opening a seal. That's why you didn't see where it went.

Bad gear, would be my guess.

 

i'm about to disconnect it from the axle and see how well if at all it moves in a bit here. hoping thats not the problem because i'm sure nobody stocks a gearbox, much less anything else for this truck.

 

They are common parts. Around $100 or so at NAPA IIRC...

 

Common parts..

the only "common" part I found in stock so far is a u-joint.. and between 4 different parts stores I had enough to do the front and rears .

it's $161 after core, special order.

 

Price went up, whodathunkit! I remember getting a reman at NAPA about 4 years ago for around $100 - yes w/core, and they had to order it in overnight, like almost everything else for a vehicle more than 5 years old...

 

gonna replace the pump this weekend under warranty, otherwise im rebuilding the box. I have no way to troubleshoot other than replacing stuff.