heavy steering

[blowinsmoke97]

my truck has moments when the power steering seems to give out, then just like it stopped, it comes back to working. what could be the cause of this. notice a lot when backing up. almost like the steering pump is worn out or just underpowered. also, when backing, the truck will sumetimes surge with power uncontrollably. all i can do is stand on the brakes and it stops, but i dont like it doing this, i backed into my other car when it first did this. anyone know why it does this????

[3bals]

Your power steering pump also powers your power brakes.

I had an issue with my steering sticking in a turn, causing me to go in a circle and hit the curb. (that was quite a drive home, 70 miles) It turned out to be a bad steering sector. I also had the pump replaced at that time too as there were metal filings in the fluid. We put a magnet in the resevior to collect those that remained as I drove it. Didn't have any trouble with the brakes though.

I'd say stick a magnet in the pump resevoir and see if there are any metal filings in the fluid, then go from there.

Jody