HudsonValleyRam

Power steering moan started about 2 weeks ago only when cold,added 1/2 pint PS fluid,noise gone.Yesterday noise was back along w/ hard steering until truck is moving. Today I cannot turn wheel at all until truck is rolling - Applying brake pedal also has an effect on "moaning" sound and brakes feel inadequate at slow speeds. Any ideas? And are any steering components covered on 100,000 warranty?

chasd60

Mine moaned when it was cold. I checked the fluid after driving about a mile and saw what looked like ice crystals. I took it to the dealer for a power steering system flush. It cost me $99 and has been fine ever since.
They stated the flush is usually not that expensive but my system was real dirty so they flushed it twice.

I have no idea the connection between the power steering and brakes except for maybe the same drive. Vacuum pump and power steering pump if these are vacuum boost brakes?

Stamey

Brake system is a hydroboost system, rather than a vacuum boost, and runs off the PS pump.

Chris

Fueling around

You can try a home fix but sucking the reservior empty and re-filling with a quality PS fluid. Run truck and shut off. Repeat cycle 3 or 4 times.

I did mine last year using Valvoline and it helped with the groan at -20°F. About a month later it starting the moaning at warmer temps. I repeated the flush & fill a couple times and topped off with Lubeguard PS additive. That stuff really works! (doesn't it Bill?)

I don't believe the PS pump is covered under the Cummins 100k warranty.

P.O.R.

i replaced fluid with valvoline synthetic, end of moan and groan...

Smokee

I second the Valvoline synthetic

HudsonValleyRam

Changed fluid (as much as I could) to Valvoline syn. - Steering (and brakes) seem o.k. - Noise is gone to but is warmer today (20-30 ) - Stameys reply metioned brakes are a "hydro-boost" sytem- does that mean if p.s. pump goes you lose steering and brakes? Is there another component that could be causing these symtoms?

kandgo

I would recommend to take the return line off to the tank resovoir and stick it in a 5 gal bucket and completley flush out with Valv synthetic. It helps to have someone in the truck to start and stop it as you keep it full. That away it will be completley flushed. Goodluck,,,Rick

BoostdCTD

Yep, lose power assist to both.

If you try Kandgo's method just don't let the pump suck air, they don't like that.

Fueling around

I don't like to recommend this to everyone. As boostd said "... just don't let the pump suck air, they don't like that."
If the system is really cruddy, the suck & fill method works well especially by a 2 consecutive weekend method. A PS fluid with conditioners really seems to loosen the build up.


Royal Purple and Redline are the only full synthetics PS fluids that I know on the market.

Valvoline is only labeled "Synthetic Blend". The prior label stated "synthetic additives". Still good stuff, but misleading labeling.