[davidgt97]

my power steering is very weak. if the truck is sitting still it is almost impossible to turn (fun when backing a boat). if you rev the engine it is a little better. I'm thinking ps pump but always like to get some DieselStop insight before I take on another repair. Also my truck sometimes pulls to the left or right going down the road. As I keep constant pressure on the wheel I feel a light jerk in the opposite direction and then the truck drives straight as an arrow. Any ideas?

 

[NCHornet]

Weak PS is the nature of the beast with these trucks. Changing to synthetic ATF helped some. The pulling could be alignment, could be stuck caliper pin (likely), could also be a bent stabilizer shock.

 

[Jinco]

Changing to mobile 1 dramatically improved my ps performance. I thought I was headed for a new pump but the synthetic atf did the trick. It quited it down too. I installed a magnefine filter when I did the flush.

 

[Kanman]

AutoZone has our power steering pumps with reservoir for about $70 + core. If you do it yourself you will also need to rent a power steering puller kit from AZ as well. Fairly easy job and the biggest rookie shade tree can do it in just a couple of hours.

The "pulling" while driving is probably unrelated to the PS pump problem. Like NC said, stuck caliper pin in the brakes. Could be any number of steering related items under your truck.

Crawl under your truck, have a helper (with engine running) slowly work the steering wheel back and forth about 50 times. As they are moving the wheel left to right watch for any slack in the steering linkage. Better yet, carefully put your fingers on the actual joints so you can feel the separation. Next, jack a front tire off the ground. Grasp the tire putting one hand and 12 Oclock and the other at 6. Now try and wiggle the wheel. Do the same at 9 and 3 O'clock. If you feel movement (more than just a teeny tiny bit) its time for ball joints, wheel bearing and or maybe tie-rods.

 

[Ggg6]

Is there any upgraded ps pumps for our trucks?

 

[NCHornet]

Yes, but they are not bolt in units, they require some modding. There is a unit on Ebay and I thought one of our sponsors had a kit as well.