I have a 2001 dually, x-cab, with a 6 speed. Last week when it was -10 below at first start in the morning, the power steering started howling like crazy, Brake pedal wound pulsate when you first stepped on it, once truck warmed up, it would quiet down and operate like normal, I checked the power steering fluid and did not notice anything amiss.

This morning I brought the truck into the garage just to look it over, when I pulled the power steering stick, it indicated it was empty...which seemed weird, I added a little fluid and all seemed good.

I needed to tow one of my Jeeps today, so I hooked the trailer and left, I got maybe 20 miles and stopped at a service station to get fuel, I decided to pop the hood and check the steering fluid again. It was full of thick green gear lube....Did I lunch a seal in the pump? Can someone shed some light on what might be wrong. Is this something I can fix myself? And one more thing, what would be the best way to flush this gear lube out of the Hydro-Boost, steering box. Sorry this post is so long, just wanted to provide all the details. I would greatly appreciate any help anyone could provide.

 

I would flush it all out and ad the newer synthetic power steering lube. It works better at low temperatures.

For what its worth i really doubt that you have gear lube in the system. If you did that pump would of been howling before.

 

Thank you for the reply. To or three times last winter it howled first thing in the morning. I swear it is gear lube....It is a dark green and it is very thick.

Last Friday when it was about -10 below, the PS stopped working and the brakes were going crazy. I haved owned the truck for awhile and I know I never dumped it in.

 

The power steering fluid might have gelled up or become incredibly thick and wouldn't flow. As far as the green color goes I dunno.

 

[QUOTE=mkozlows;1324163]Thank you for the reply. To or three times last winter it howled first thing in the morning. I swear it is gear lube....It is a dark green and it is very thick.

gear oil has a very strong smell , if it is gear lube you should be able to smell it..... nothing else smells like it!

 

Flush it. Run it and get is nice and hot. Remove the return hose off the resivoir. Cap the resivoir and run the line into a drain pan. You will have to make a line extension. You will need to run and add clean fluid untill it comes out clean. Then reinstall the line and refill. You could use a cheeper fluid for the flush and purge with synthetic and top it off. It would save a few bucks...

 

Hummmm I wonder if the old owner put it in there to quiet it down .. Kinda like they used to put sawdust in gear boxes in the 60's...

 

[QUOTE=johnh;1324592] Exactly, That is why I am sure it is gear oil, it stinks like nothing else I know of.

 

That sounds like a great way to get it flushed. Thanks