Steering Problem With My 2005 Cummins "Shipping Crate"

[thomasmnile]

So, I'm driving along to my daughter's apartment, not a care in the world. Pulling into a parking space, I crank the steering wheel nearly full lock left when suddenly I'm hearing a Gawd awful grinding under the hood with a vibration coming up the steering column to the wheel. With my foot on brake pedal, it begins pulsating like the ABS has activated, but the truck isn't moving. Drove on to a doctor appt., the grinding sensation is there when turning the steering wheel either direction, and the pulsating brake pedal thing continues. No fluid under truck, fluid reservoir dipstick shows full hot. Dropped the truck off at my mechanic, might be a couple days before they get to it.

I'm thinking power steering pump, steering rack, or both. Am I on track here, or could it be something else? Also, what kind of wallet damage am I looking at for parts?

Just paid the sucker off last month........go figure. :M

[Cummins12V98]

recycler wrote:
sounds like the coupling between the p/s pump and vac pump.. turning and braking is putting enough load that is slips/grinds..

No vac pump on 3rd gen's. Only 94-02 had vac pumps.

[recycler]

john&bet wrote:

recycler wrote:
sounds like the coupling between the p/s pump and vac pump.. turning and braking is putting enough load that is slips/grinds..

I don't beleive his has a vac pump. My '04 does not and his is an '05. 150k on mine and no noise yet.

you are correct having never having worked on that new of one till after the post anyway to know is belt driven.. 😮 one i am working right now is an 06.. :M

[thomasmnile]

Got the truck yesterday and all is well though my wallet is in critical condition. Shop manager told me when the tech attempted to pull the truck in the service bay, the shaft apparently broke completely, sending the pulley rattling around under the hood and the serpentine belt obviously "jumped the tracks" and got ruined. At least I got the last few miles out it and made it to the shop.....

PS: Incredible difference in handling/cornering with the new sway bar links and bushings too!

[thomasmnile]

45Ricochet wrote:

Hey at least my second guess was close :B
My steering box went south in year one in warranty. Sh*t happens.
Sounds like a good diagnostic evaluation from behind my keyboard :W
Might mention the shop name in case I missed it in your post.

The shop is The Magic Mechanic in Orlando. They work on all cars/trucks foreign or domestic, gas or diesel. The owner is a West Virginia native who began learning the trade as a teen at his dad's gas station in West Virginia. He worked for dealerships until 1988 when he opened his own business. He doesn't turn wrenches as much as he used to, but he does employ some excellent techs who are not parts changers. Truck broke last Thursday, and I've had to wait a week for repairs, but worth it, they are that good. Only bummer was they have a fleet of 12 loaner cars they provide at no charge (just have to return fueled to the level you received it with and pay tolls if you travel on a toll road)and they were all out. No problem, still had one "horse" in the stable at home.

[45Ricochet]

45Ricochet wrote:


Being a 2WD Donn, I wouldn't suspect the normal 4 WD issues.

Have you ever changed your brake fluid OP? It's about time anyway.
Good Luck
Next guess is the PS pump :B

Hey at least my second guess was close :B
My steering box went south in year one in warranty. Sh*t happens.
Sounds like a good diagnostic evaluation from behind my keyboard :W
Might mention the shop name in case I missed it in your post.

[thomasmnile]

An update: Talked to the shop yesterday, was told the power steering pump "grenaded" and the tech working on it found metal shavings in the fluid when the system was evacuated. They performed a flush until the no more metal was noted in the draining fluid. However, until they get the pump in and fill and purge the system, they won't know if the steering rack suffered any harm (oh boy). Along the way they also found the front sway bar bushings and links were shot(I thought the upper control arm bushings were bad and caused all the front end racket I was hearing). Should get the truck back tomorrow.

[john_bet]

rhagfo wrote:

donn0128 wrote:
Hydro boost is basically a diesel version of brake booster for power brakes. Could also be a steering issue. Get it to a good alignment shop for a thorough inspection

Yes and the Hydro-boost is powered by the PS pump, which is driven off the Vacuum pump through a coupling that does fail from time to time.

My '04 does not have a vac. pump and I doubt his '05 does either.

[john_bet]

recycler wrote:
sounds like the coupling between the p/s pump and vac pump.. turning and braking is putting enough load that is slips/grinds..

I don't beleive his has a vac pump. My '04 does not and his is an '05. 150k on mine and no noise yet.

[thomasmnile]

45Ricochet wrote:
It looks like this, you can't miss it if you ever changed the fuel filter.


Or this




Being a 2WD Donn, I wouldn't suspect the normal 4 WD issues.

Have you ever changed your brake fluid OP? It's about time anyway.
Good Luck
Next guess is the PS pump :B

Rick, thanks. Yeah I've seen all that stuff in photos innocently hanging on the firewall near the ABS module. Yes, brake system was completely purged and refilled with new fluid when I bought the truck in 2008. It is kinda "dirty" again, so I'll ask the shop to do the "transfusion" when they identify what's going on.........

[recycler]

sounds like the coupling between the p/s pump and vac pump.. turning and braking is putting enough load that is slips/grinds..

[ecoast]

check your outer axle u-joints

[45Ricochet]

It looks like this, you can't miss it if you ever changed the fuel filter.


Or this




Being a 2WD Donn, I wouldn't suspect the normal 4 WD issues.

Have you ever changed your brake fluid OP? It's about time anyway.
Good Luck
Next guess is the PS pump :B

[rhagfo]

donn0128 wrote:
Hydro boost is basically a diesel version of brake booster for power brakes. Could also be a steering issue. Get it to a good alignment shop for a thorough inspection

Yes and the Hydro-boost is powered by the PS pump, which is driven off the Vacuum pump through a coupling that does fail from time to time.

[donn0128]

Hydro boost is basically a diesel version of brake booster for power brakes. Could also be a steering issue. Get it to a good alignment shop for a thorough inspection