Hey folks.
Just came across a problem today. Actually, I think the problem came across me.
I can't steer left! I've noticed in the past few days that when turning left I felt an ever so slight resistance. The pump has also been making a very little notice when turning left. I marked it off as low fluid. I haven't had the chance to look st it until today, when I was forced to check it.
Fluid is full. When I pulled the dipstick, it had a thin coating of a dark, almost like soot, material that was easily rubbed off.
I can turn full right with zero issues, but it doesn't want to go back left.parking lot steering is virtually impossible. Regular side street steering is possiable, but nerv racking.

I got the truck home, put the front on stands and tried it. It was much easier, but could still feel random resistance. I then removed the drag link from the pitman arm and turned the wheels manually from both sides. All of that feels smooth with no bind.

Steering box is less then a year old. I have no idea how old the pump is. I've never touched it as long as I've owned the truck (4 years) and have put over 110k on it.

I'm thinking power steering pump due to the "soot" looking material inside? What do you think?

 

Nope, PS pump is simply providing pressure, so RH would be the same action as LH turns.

I have seen the "soot" before, not sure what it is, but never had an issue.

Sounds like PS box, assist valve is gone in the LH direction. With the link off, and engine off, does it turn both ways the same?

 

With link off, the wheels turn both ways easily. the pump and box also turn easily.

 

Are you pretty confident it's the gear box? I'm going to pull the parts now just trying to narrow if it was the pump or the box that could be bad.

 

The only positive way to identify the pump being bad would be to put a pressure gauge on it and monitor the line pressures while turning right and left. That being said though, I cannot think of anything that would only reduce line pressure while turning left.

Something that might be possible as well is the intermediate shaft and the U-joints. Before you take it all apart, can you put the linkage back on, let it on the ground, and while it is running, have someone turn the wheel to the right and left while you watch the intermediate shaft? I did have that happen on a Jeep once, and it seemed much worse one way than the other.

 

Steering gear box it was. Too bad that this is the second one in a little over a year :/
BUT, while I was under there, I installed genos garages heavy duty sway bar end links and heavy duty sway bar frame mounts. WHAT A DIFFERENCE! Not only can I turn left again (thanks to another gear box) but the truck handles GREAT!!

Anyways, thanks guys! You saved me from buying a new pump only to find that the problem still exists