Topic: leaky power steering

[cletz97]

so my power steering has been leaking for ages, but now its getting worse, the pump is really loud, and now ive noticed another leak from the part below the bump(which idk why the hell its there, hit a rock with that and there goes ur steering ) but anyway, does anyone have any idea on how to fix it? also the pully kinda shakes when the engine is running which cant be good. im just hoping its not to expensive to fix

[jcsanders79]

The pully and pump are easy to replace, not to expensive either.  As for box at the bumper you can get a skid from Warn (pretty cheap too).  However it is a little more expensive and not as easy to get off either.  The pitman arm can be a Bit#h to get off.   

[cletz97]

whats wrong if i have foamy power steering fluid?

[FourbangerYJ]

It's not fixing the problem. You need to find out where it's leaking from and fix it. The stop leak fluid is not gonna work if it's a bad leak. If it is just seeping a bit it might help.
More than likely the reason it's getting louder is because it's low on fluid.
There is a ton of steering box skids on the market.

[aw12345]

Ok when the fluid is foamy its either got air in it or the pump is junk from running without fluid to many timesmakes the fluid bypass the vanes in the pump. To get the pitman arm of there are 2 ways easiest is a good opitman arm puller like the heavy duty one OTC makes. Tighten the hell out of the puller and smack the cether bolt on the puller hard that should do it if not heat the pitman arm with a torch and try again. The cheesy pitman arm pullers at tool rental places are useless.
The other way is take the steering box off lay one side of the pitman are where the shaft goes through it on a thick piece of steel or a hammer head smack the other side with a big hammer hard several times and it will pop off

[cletz97]

i got some stop leak and it helped but now when i turn the wheel to the right i get some real resistance, but left is fine, but with both, it like jumps back toward the middle

[Bounty Hunter]

Foam means air is getting into the system, could be low on fluid.

I'd replace whatever is leaking.  If you replace the steering box, get one for a '99 Durango 4wd as it is a heavier duty unit that bolts right in.  I got mine for $75 from www.car-part.com .

As for removing the pitman arm, if it comes down to that, tighten the puller on real good.  Then smack the side of the pitman arm where the shaft goes through with a 3lb sledge.  Tighten, whack, repeat.  They generally pop right off.

[oldjeep]

i got some stop leak and it helped but now when i turn the wheel to the right i get some real resistance, but left is fine, but with both, it like jumps back toward the middle

Stop leak is a great thing to use if you are trying to get rid of a vehicle and scam a buyer.  Otherwise it just gunks stuff up.  A new PS pump is under $100.  Replace it, but make sure you flush all that stop leak crap out first.