I just purchased a 2000 dodge Ram 2500 tonight. The p/s pump and hydroboost unit were replaced recently. The P/s pump was actually replaced this afternoon. I drove the truck 45 min home and when I went to park it i lost power steering and breaks. Is it possible that the new pump is just air locked? I opened the p/s reservoir and the pump is not circulating. When I hit the breaks they dont go down to the floor they stick in spots.
P/S pump problems help!
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Sounds like they screwed something up. Mine always circulates when running. Did you try turning the steering wheel lock to lock and having someone watch to see if it does anything? It is behind the vacuum pump so they could have installed the shaft wrong so it is not spinning the p/s pump. Can you take it back? I'd let them worry about it if it was me.
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Unbolt the pump from vacuum pump. Sounds like a sheared key.
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There are lots of problems that can happen.
Take it apart. Just pull the whole vacuum pump/ps pump off as an assembly then disassemble it where it is warm and there is light.
This is a great resource: GOULD GEAR & ELECTRIC INC. Super nice people, and should be able to tell you what is wrong, once you can see the parts.
Could be as simple as a bad PS pump, or could be a sheared key or broken coupling (I am betting this... bet the guys that pulled it off recently didn't know what they were doing...)
HHT
Hag
Take it apart. Just pull the whole vacuum pump/ps pump off as an assembly then disassemble it where it is warm and there is light.
This is a great resource: GOULD GEAR & ELECTRIC INC. Super nice people, and should be able to tell you what is wrong, once you can see the parts.
Could be as simple as a bad PS pump, or could be a sheared key or broken coupling (I am betting this... bet the guys that pulled it off recently didn't know what they were doing...)
HHT
Hag
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274 Posts
That sucks man. I agree with the warm lit working area and any Cummins dealer should have the parts if you don't wanna wait on shipping. It is a pain to get off so make sure you are aware of the oil line and don't just try to turn it with a wrench. You need to hold the fitting the goes into the pump with one wrench and loosen the compression fitting nut with another wrench. Sometimes they both turn together and if you don't realize it; breaking that hose costs $65 unless you know a good hose making place.
Also, it maybe smart to buy a reseal kit. I think it was $15 from Cummins when I bought mine. These pumps are known for leaking and who knows if they put a new seal in there. Good luck and keep us posted...
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The hydroboost does stop them pretty quick. Maybe you are not used to it. Only other option is they didn't fill it correctly/it is still leaking. I know when I was having trouble with mine it would stop really well when it had fluid to pump, but would take a lot of effort to stop when it was low on fluid. Totally different feel of the pedal. I'm sure you would notice that. Almost like going from manual brakes to power brakes.
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BRAKES The brakes on your truck...
Since yours is a 2000, the rear drums could be grabby. (the fronts could be grabby too, but usually not so much)
You need to go to a parking lot and play with it a bit. Try moving then apply the parking brake, if those feel grabby, your problem is definitely the rears.
Hydro-boosted brakes are stiffer/faster than Vacuum boosted. It could be just like hydroshok is implying. It might take you a bit of time to get used to them. You might also want to find someone local with a similar truck and have them drive it. They will let you know quickly if they are similar or not.
Hag
Since yours is a 2000, the rear drums could be grabby. (the fronts could be grabby too, but usually not so much)
You need to go to a parking lot and play with it a bit. Try moving then apply the parking brake, if those feel grabby, your problem is definitely the rears.
Hydro-boosted brakes are stiffer/faster than Vacuum boosted. It could be just like hydroshok is implying. It might take you a bit of time to get used to them. You might also want to find someone local with a similar truck and have them drive it. They will let you know quickly if they are similar or not.
Hag
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Good point. I can smoke the back tires when I panic stop. Can't wait to find another disc brake axle....
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Hydroshok, Hope you find one!!! I do prefer calipers in the rear..... not necessarily from a stopping standpoint, but the big drums are HEAVY!!!! and it seems like I have to fart with them on a monthly basis....( could be I just own worn out junk too.... lol)
Hag
Hag
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I'll know today hopefully. I'm about to just use a Ford axle. The drums stop fine; discs are just so much easier to work on. I put my disc brake axle in my 89 because I figured on driving it more till I blew the motor... Nothing ever goes as planned I guess.
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