[UTAHYJ]

Hey all, just bought a 2000 24v on Monday and I'm already running in to problems with it.

This morning before I left for some errands I let the truck warm up for 10 minutes or so (it was 7 degrees Fahrenheit out). After about a 5 minute drive I was pulling in to the parking lot of a store and I lost power steering and most braking power. Looked underneath and It was dripping tons of PS fluid. I bought some more fluid, topped it off and went directly home. I found the nut on the high pressure line of the pump to be very loose. I tightened that up, went for a drive and it backed out and I was losing fluid again.

I ended up picking up some of this stuff: http://www.amazon.com/Lucas-Oil-10011-Power-Steering/dp/B0014E36KM
As well as using blue loctite on the Highpressure line.

Now it only leaks very slowly, but I have no power steering or braking power. Any advice anyone?

 

[UTAHYJ]

The Power Steering pump is about 90% full of the stop leak, and then there is a small amount of regular PS fluid in there.

 

[Off-road]

first off please dont ever use stop leaks. they work by softening the elastomer seals in the system you are trying to stop the leak in. most of the time they end up making every seal in the system leak worse then it did.

now since you said the high pressure line isnt staying tight, we need to look at possible causes for this. most likely the oring inside the pump is not any good any more. therefore the nut isnt really getting "tight." so first thing i would try is replacing the o-ring on the line. if that doesnt work its time to replace the pump.

once you figure it out, i highly recommend that you flush the power steering system. you need to get that stop leak out of there so it doesnt ruin all the seals in the system.

 

[dozer12216]

A procedure for flushing PS fluid:

The rest of the story:
Yes I have seen my share of steering/braking issues. Problem is the fluid eventually dies.
First secure a gallon of Valvoline Blue Power Steering fluid. I find at some parts stores and some tractor supply stores. (note: 2003 and later call for ATF+4).
To purge. there are two return lines to reservoir. Disconnect both and cap the nipples on reservoir or run a hose from one nipple to other. Now route the return hoses into a catch can. Fill the reservoir with new fluid. Start engine an run no more the 4 seconds. The fluid will be purged into the catch can. Do not run longer as you must not run the pump dry.
refill and purge again, alternately pressing brakes and turning steering wheel. This purges fluid stored in steering and brake components. It will take several attempts and apporx 1/2 gallon of PS fluid. You will know it's complete when fluid is same as what you are putting in. Reconnect return lines and fill again. At this time it is best to have front tires off ground. Start engine and run for approx 15 seconds while alternately turning wheel or lightly applying brakes. Shut down and let it set for 15-30 minutes. This is necessary to allow aeration of fluid to dissipate. Carefully refill and repeat until the fluid in reservoir is not aerated.
If you got the system air locked, it will be necessary to loosen a PRESSURE line from pump and rev engine slightly to get pump working again. I have also found it necessary to use at least 1/2 bottle of LUBE GUARD Power Steering additive available from NAPA dealer. Do not overfill. Road test and recheck fluid level. One time it took nearly 100 miles to get air out of system. Make no substitutions.
If your system does not have a cooler for PS, I recommend one. I cannot guarantee this fixes all issues but has resolved many high mileage units that were diagnosed as needing a PS pump.
Hope this is informative,
dozer.