"heavy" steering

[hpctoy]

My 96 T4R with 200k miles has had "notchy" steering in the past. This mainly happens when it's pretty cold out (near freezing is "pretty cold" in California). The nothciness goes away after the truck has been running for a few minutes. Now, the steering is feeling very heavy - like the front tires are really low on air (tires are at 40 psi, so thats not it).

Is this a sign that the power steering pump needs to be replaced? Any other things I should check first? Any unusual problems with changing the PS pump?

Thx!

 

[JohnsD90]

My 96 T4R with 200k miles has had "notchy" steering in the past. This mainly happens when it's pretty cold out (near freezing is "pretty cold" in California). The nothciness goes away after the truck has been running for a few minutes. Now, the steering is feeling very heavy - like the front tires are really low on air (tires are at 40 psi, so thats not it).

Is this a sign that the power steering pump needs to be replaced? Any other things I should check first? Any unusual problems with changing the PS pump?

Thx!

Check the fluid level.

 

[romark57]

Steering shaft u-joint

Our 2003 just had a similar problem; very heavy steering at the initiation of any turn but seemed to be easier as the wheel turned further. The problem turned out to be a universal joint in the steering shaft that is becoming seized. A replacement parts is hard to get and expensive. The garage free'd it up with penetrating oil etc.
BUT, a related problem has occurred: the ABS brakes come on without warning and warning buzzers too. Vehicle is back in the shop awaiting news on what is wrong.

 

[hpctoy]

Update

I figured I should do an update to give others a heads up. I replaced the power steering pump and the notchiness went away, but the steering still felt heavy. One day I pulled into a parking lot, turned the wheel, and the left front of the truck dropped HARD to the ground. Turns out the left front lower ball joint came apart. I replaced the left side and was going to replace the right side in a week. The right side didn't want to wait - the right side came apart a few days later.

When these come apart it's not pretty - I'm very lucky that both times I was going less then 5 mpg. The lower ball joint comes apart and the bottom of the suspension (the A arm maybe?) just crashes into the ground. If I was on the freeway the truck probably would have flipped.

After changing the left and right lower ball joints, the heavy steering went away. I guess the old lower bj's had just dried out and were grinding away.

Hope this is a heads up to others to check the lower bjs.

 

[mongo161]

Thanks for the follow up and the heads up on the heavy steering problem. It is something we should all be aware of as owners of T4R's. I appreciate your post.