Power Steering Loss

[Paulyester]

Hey guys, 21 JTR, 55k miles, Mopar 2" lift, 37" KM3 tires. When I'm out wheeling in Moab, I've had quite a few instances where I have full power steering loss. I've had both where I can't turn the steering wheel due to no power steering, and another time where I believe my steering wheel was turning fine, but my tires weren't (spotter telling me turn the wheels driver, steering wheel turns, but tires don't move). Initially I just thought it was a long day of wheeling (nothing hard, I Fins and Things is about as extreme as I want to go) and the steering pump and fluid was hot. Lately though, I'm getting it around town where I go to turn and I don't have the power I and it's very hard to turn the wheel.

I don't know if they is connected, but last time I was in Moab and having issues, I was cycling through the gauges and noticed that my volts never got above 12.7, mostly stayed around 12.6 to 12.4. That doesn't seem right to me, but it's the first time I've every paid attention to that. Yesterday I drove up to a trailhead and had it on the voltmeter and it was showing 14.6 the whole time.

So my question, is the volt thing possibly connected with the steering issue? Is the volt thing normal? I thought i read somewhere that the alternator can adjust power output to save MPG or something like that.

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[Hootbro]

I would check the power/grounds coming off the Power Steering Pump motor making sure they are securely connected with no evidence of corrosion .

Pretty simple system wiring wise.

 

[MrClortho]

Minus possible electrical issues, your stock pump is not up to the task for 37's. Mine used to all but refuse to turn the tires in some situations. It is costly, but a proper steering setup and booster pump is almost a necessity for wheeling with 37's or larger. I am running the Apex 2.5 ton kit with booster...big difference.

 

[PuddleJumper]

Hey guys, 21 JTR, 55k miles, Mopar 2" lift, 37" KM3 tires. When I'm out wheeling in Moab, I've had quite a few instances where I have full power steering loss. I've had both where I can't turn the steering wheel due to no power steering, and another time where I believe my steering wheel was turning fine, but my tires weren't (spotter telling me turn the wheels driver, steering wheel turns, but tires don't move). Initially I just thought it was a long day of wheeling (nothing hard, I Fins and Things is about as extreme as I want to go) and the steering pump and fluid was hot. Lately though, I'm getting it around town where I go to turn and I don't have the power I and it's very hard to turn the wheel.

I don't know if they is connected, but last time I was in Moab and having issues, I was cycling through the gauges and noticed that my volts never got above 12.7, mostly stayed around 12.6 to 12.4. That doesn't seem right to me, but it's the first time I've every paid attention to that. Yesterday I drove up to a trailhead and had it on the voltmeter and it was showing 14.6 the whole time.

So my question, is the volt thing possibly connected with the steering issue? Is the volt thing normal? I thought i read somewhere that the alternator can adjust power output to save MPG or something like that.

I'd check the connections to the pump and it might be time for an Apex design booster kit.

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