Weak power steering pump - 3.6 Rubicon

[Oldman_josh]

Hey all,

just wondering if anyone else has had this issue.

the last month or so I’ve noticed my power steering has gotten weak on and off road.

A couple weeks back I was on an off-road trail and tried an obstacle that I’ve done half a dozen times before with our issue and found that I could not get the front tires to turn.
At the time I figured I was just had lower psi in the tires / I was loaded up more on one of the tires. Either way I managed to get through it and continue down the trail.

Last week, I was turning around in a parking lot, I was at a stand still and I was turning from left to right and the steering pump just couldn’t give me enough pressure unless I rolled the truck a little.

Driving down the road I can feel the steering is a little heavier, but it’s not terrible until I come to a stop.

I ended up checking the fluid level and it’s fine, the fluid looks clean, I have no codes on the dash / taser.


All the posts / threads I’ve seen talk about a complete failure of the pump, but I can’t say I’ve seen a “weak” pump.

Truck details:
76,xxx km’s - 46,xxx in freedom units.
37x12.5 yokohama’s
Aftermarket wheels / no spacers
3.5” lift
3.6
Rubicon

this is the first “major” issue I’ve had with the truck, I’m hoping is something simple but I doubt it.

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[Lunentucker]

https://www.polyperformance.com/apex-designs-power-steering-boost-kit-jeep-jl-jlu-jt

 

[Oldman_josh]

https://www.polyperformance.com/apex-designs-power-steering-boost-kit-jeep-jl-jlu-jt

Throwing aftermarket upgrade parts at a potential broken pump doesn’t help me.

Thanks tho.

 

[Lunentucker]

Throwing aftermarket upgrade parts at a potential broken pump doesn’t help me.

Thanks tho.

Then replace the pump.

 

[Dickster]

Throwing aftermarket upgrade parts at a potential broken pump doesn’t help me.

Thanks tho.

Well you could be noticing your 37s more without any steering upgrades. Throwing upgrade parts could find the weak link fast or you get better steering.... sounds like a win for me.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Hey all,

just wondering if anyone else has had this issue.

the last month or so I’ve noticed my power steering has gotten weak on and off road.

A couple weeks back I was on an off-road trail and tried an obstacle that I’ve done half a dozen times before with our issue and found that I could not get the front tires to turn.
At the time I figured I was just had lower psi in the tires / I was loaded up more on one of the tires. Either way I managed to get through it and continue down the trail.

Last week, I was turning around in a parking lot, I was at a stand still and I was turning from left to right and the steering pump just couldn’t give me enough pressure unless I rolled the truck a little.

Driving down the road I can feel the steering is a little heavier, but it’s not terrible until I come to a stop.

I ended up checking the fluid level and it’s fine, the fluid looks clean, I have no codes on the dash / taser.


All the posts / threads I’ve seen talk about a complete failure of the pump, but I can’t say I’ve seen a “weak” pump.

Truck details:
76,xxx km’s - 46,xxx in freedom units.
37x12.5 yokohama’s
Aftermarket wheels / no spacers
3.5” lift
3.6
Rubicon

this is the first “major” issue I’ve had with the truck, I’m hoping is something simple but I doubt it.

Yes - on my mostly stock 22 Overland, with stock diameter tires.
At first it was just noticed with the weight of a snow plow on the front. But as time has passed, I've noticed it trying to parallel park or any other times when the pavement isn't smooth and the tires grip. It takes a bit to get past a "dead spot" before the pump really pushes enough to not feel like manual steering.
I'm going to ask them about it next time I'm in for any reason.
No problem on most surfaces - like my garage floor (which is like a skating rink, and just plain deadly when wet) or anywhere there's sand or dirt or a surface that isn't "grippy".
But last week, parallel parking for my cardiologist appointment, I noticed that when I stopped backing into the spot, put in in D, and tried to turn the front end in, it bound for a second. It was a really tight spot, barely longer than the truck so took a couple of back and forths and each time it was stopped when I tried to turn the wheels it was as if I had to break them loose or start moving so they'd turn.

I'm keeping an eye on it.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Well you could be noticing your 37s more without any steering upgrades. Throwing upgrade parts could find the weak link fast or you get better steering.... sounds like a win for me.

Noticed he's in Canada - I wonder if it's been colder up there lately? Like anything below 50 (F) perhaps?
With the wide tires and cold weather - bad combo??
Ah, west coast, I see - never really gets cold there, all rain foresty and all.

 

[Dickster]

Noticed he's in Canada - I wonder if it's been colder up there lately? Like anything below 50 (F) perhaps?
With the wide tires and cold weather - bad combo??
Ah, west coast, I see - never really gets cold there, all rain foresty and all.

That could be true on a cold start up or sitting for a few. It's a hydraulic pump correct? So it generates heat?

Yes the west coast and while it's not frozen balls to your leg cold but we do see our fair share of cold weather ?. I am in the Portland metro area. You can drive from the beach to high mountain to high desert all I'm one day. FYI driving on the dunes with 6in of snow is a bad idea.

 

[Maximus Gladius]

I would check for an air lock. Grab a bottle of fluid from the dealership then go at it. All three of my power steering pumps were down 1/2 bottle, even after getting them replaced from the dealership.

Lift up the front but have the passenger side slightly higher and with engine off and bottle cracked open and rags stuffed around the bottle, steer lock to lock 30 to 60 full sets. Your arms will hurt and that’s the sign you’re almost done with the exercise.

Once you start this test, it won’t be long and you’ll hear the air squeezing around in there. I’ve mentioned this before in several posts.

 

[Hootbro]

Noticed you have a 2020 Gladiator. Did you get the steering box upgrade TSB done? It should have also received a update to the Electric Hydraulic Power Steering (EHPS) software. People that have had the new steering gear installed without updating the EHPS software have reported poor performance.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I would check for an air lock. Grab a bottle of fluid from the dealership then go at it. All three of my power steering pumps were down 1/2 bottle, even after getting them replaced from the dealership.

Lift up the front but have the passenger side slightly higher and with engine off and bottle cracked open and rags stuffed around the bottle, steer lock to lock 30 to 60 full sets. Your arms will hurt and that’s the sign you’re almost done with the exercise.

Once you start this test, it won’t be long and you’ll hear the air squeezing around in there. I’ve mentioned this before in several posts.

After 3 years? Naw, unless he ran it totally low on fluid and the pump sucked air. That's just not going to happen after the first few drives.
Heck, mine is still sitting at exactly the same level it was after I added to bring it to full after a week of driving.
There's just nothing to pull air in.
If had recent work done - opening the system, or ran low yeah, but not a closed hydraulic system that's never sucked air due to being low.
His truck is over 3 years old and who knows how many miles and how many off-road events.

 

[Maximus Gladius]

After 3 years? Naw, unless he ran it totally low on fluid and the pump sucked air. That's just not going to happen after the first few drives.
Heck, mine is still sitting at exactly the same level it was after I added to bring it to full after a week of driving.
There's just nothing to pull air in.
If had recent work done - opening the system, or ran low yeah, but not a closed hydraulic system that's never sucked air due to being low.
His truck is over 3 years old and who knows how many miles and how many off-road events.

The strange thing with all 3 of mine is the bottle showed FULL but still had the air locks in them.
Each one still took 1/2 bottle after the exercise.

You should try it just for fun.

 

[firemarshallvin]

Yes - on my mostly stock 22 Overland, with stock diameter tires.
At first it was just noticed with the weight of a snow plow on the front. But as time has passed, I've noticed it trying to parallel park or any other times when the pavement isn't smooth and the tires grip. It takes a bit to get past a "dead spot" before the pump really pushes enough to not feel like manual steering.
I'm going to ask them about it next time I'm in for any reason.
No problem on most surfaces - like my garage floor (which is like a skating rink, and just plain deadly when wet) or anywhere there's sand or dirt or a surface that isn't "grippy".
But last week, parallel parking for my cardiologist appointment, I noticed that when I stopped backing into the spot, put in in D, and tried to turn the front end in, it bound for a second. It was a really tight spot, barely longer than the truck so took a couple of back and forths and each time it was stopped when I tried to turn the wheels it was as if I had to break them loose or start moving so they'd turn.

I'm keeping an eye on it.

I've noticed this from basically day one with my '23. Whenever I'm shifting from D-R or R-D and attempt to turn back the opposite direction, it's tight for a sec or so and usually needs to roll. I've just learned to live with it at this point since I know the dealer will say it's normal most likely sue to my massive 35s. I don't like it though, I know that much. I only have 3500 miles on her too.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I've noticed this from basically day one with my '23. Whenever I'm shifting from D-R or R-D and attempt to turn back the opposite direction, it's tight for a sec or so and usually needs to roll. I've just learned to live with it at this point since I know the dealer will say it's normal most likely sue to my massive 35s. I don't like it though, I know that much. I only have 3500 miles on her too.

It was never a problem with my 2020, I've only noticed it with the 2022 I have now. I had the exact same tires on the 20 (literally) so it's not a tire difference.
I wonder if they've changed something.
I'll ask my dealership guys but have a feeling I'll hear crickets since they won't be able to duplicate it on their smooth concrete.

In the case of the OP - if that steering gear was changed by dealer or the owner, and the software not upgraded, that could be an issue.

 

[MrClortho]

Hey all,

just wondering if anyone else has had this issue.

the last month or so I’ve noticed my power steering has gotten weak on and off road.

A couple weeks back I was on an off-road trail and tried an obstacle that I’ve done half a dozen times before with our issue and found that I could not get the front tires to turn.
At the time I figured I was just had lower psi in the tires / I was loaded up more on one of the tires. Either way I managed to get through it and continue down the trail.

Last week, I was turning around in a parking lot, I was at a stand still and I was turning from left to right and the steering pump just couldn’t give me enough pressure unless I rolled the truck a little.

Driving down the road I can feel the steering is a little heavier, but it’s not terrible until I come to a stop.

I ended up checking the fluid level and it’s fine, the fluid looks clean, I have no codes on the dash / taser.


All the posts / threads I’ve seen talk about a complete failure of the pump, but I can’t say I’ve seen a “weak” pump.

Truck details:
76,xxx km’s - 46,xxx in freedom units.
37x12.5 yokohama’s
Aftermarket wheels / no spacers
3.5” lift
3.6
Rubicon

this is the first “major” issue I’ve had with the truck, I’m hoping is something simple but I doubt it.

37s are hard on our rigs and the stock PS pump is not up to the job, even when it is healthy. It will 'work' for a while but it a matter of time. As others have commented, your best bet is to replace the pump and add the Apex booster, which I did. I also added the 2.5 ton steering kit from Apex at the same time to prevent tie rod failure with the more powerful system and shore up the whole system.

I can now turn the wheels in a parking lot sitting still from lock to lock with ease. Also, when traveling down a bad paved road or a dirt one, the Jeep takes much less effort to keep on track. At 80 mph, I only need three fingers on the steering wheel...a big improvement in driveability in every way.

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