3rd Gen 4R stiff steering after start during cold temps

[hawkcharmer]

Hello,

Temps are between 40 and 50 degrees and I'm getting stiff steering after start up while warming up the truck. Once warm and then turning the wheel from left to right vigorously it seems to slowly go away. Truck is a 1999 with 225,004 miles.
I did a power steering fluid flush last summer 2021.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated

Thank you

 

[Twisted Sid]

When you did the flush, did you clean the screen in the reservoir? Also, did you use power steering fluid or ATF?

 

[hawkcharmer]

ATF DEX 3. cleaned the screen with it attached the best I could. Maybe I should remove the pump from vehicle, clean on the bench and shine the flashlight through. It did not have this problem in the summer months though

 

[BretMann]

Can you get it pressure tested?

 

[Twisted Sid]

I would try the screen cleaning since it pretty easy and cheap. You don't have to pull the pump off to clean the screen, just the reservoir and its bolted on to the pump. There's a few write ups on here and a few videos on YouTube on how to do it if you look for them.

 

[hawkcharmer]

Can you get it pressure tested?

pressure test the power steering pump? Im not sure how to do that? Any tips?
Thanks