Steering issues aren’t very common in Dodge RAMs. But because these vehicles age like any other truck, you may run into some steering pump problems at least once throughout the lifetime of your car.
Dodge RAM steering pump problems aren’t difficult to diagnose. Immediately you notice that your steering wheel is becoming less responsive.
That should be a warning sign. We will dive much deeper into this later on. For now, let us look at the commonly reported Dodge RAM power steering pump issues.
1. Leaking
Due to wear and tear, the steering pump can start leaking. This is evident when you inspect the area around the steering pump and see leaking around the shaft or at the bottom of the plug.
A leaking steering pump can be quite irritating. Because even if you refill the steering fluid, it will all end up leaking as you drive.
The ideal solution is to replace the power steering pump. You may be tempted to fix the leaks, but once your pump starts leaking, that is a clear sign you need a new one.
The experts at your dealership can replace the Dodge RAM power steering pump for you. Or, if you have some mechanical experience, you can buy a new ump and replace it yourself.
2. Low Power Steering Fluid
For your steering to perform normally, it needs both the help of the pump and steering fluid. One can’t exist without the other. And in this case, the steering fluid is the one that gets depleted sooner.
If the fluid dries up, the pump has no fluid to transfer to the steering wheel system. As a result, the wheel becomes wobbly or stiff. Driving with a stiff or wobbly steering wheel is dangerous, especially on the highways.
If there is no fluid to be transferred by the power steering pump, this isn’t a big problem. And you can solve it by just filling up the power steering fluid container.
The location of this reservoir varies from one car to another. You may therefore want to find its location from your manual. Open the hood, locate it, and see how much power steering fluid is in there.
If there is none, you will have to buy some and refill it. Your dealer should have the ideal power steering fluid for your Dodge RAM. You can also get some from the nearest auto store.
3. A Seizing Power Steering
As you will see later on, the power steering pump plays a critical role in the entire steering system. And if it’s malfunctioning, it can cause the power steering to seize from time to time.
If this happens to you, put your car to a stop safely on the side of the road. Have it towed to your mechanic or home.
Even though a professional diagnosis is required, a seizing power steering can sometimes be caused by a failing power steering pump. Replacing it should solve this problem for good.
4. Loose Power Steering Pump
After a while, power steering pumps can become loose because of the vibrations they are constantly exposed to. When this happens, your steering wheel will also start to vibrate when driving at low speeds.
In case you suspect that your power steering pump is loose, you should have a mechanic inspect if there are threads at the mounting bolt holes, both at the top and bottom.
If there are none, your mechanic can improvise on how to fasten the loose power steering pump. This issue often doesn’t call for a total replacement of the pump.
Has There Ever Been a Recall for Dodge RAM Power Steering Pumps?
In 2011, there was a recall for Dodge RAMs because of a fault in the power steering system. The issue was with the pressure hose and not the pump.
Over the years, there haven’t been many complaints related to Dodge RAM power steering problems. We can therefore conclude that Dodge RAM power steering pumps are quite sturdy.
And the issues you are likely to have with them are those that normally occur in most trucks. Obviously, with proper maintenance, which entails refilling the power steering fluid and assessment of the condition of the pump, it should last for a long time.
Some Dodge RAM owners drive their vehicles for years and end up selling them without replacing the power steering pump. Be as it may, you must be able to spot issues with the power steering pump before it gets out of hand.
What are the Signs of a Bad Power Steering Pump?
The role of a power steering pump is to direct fluid from the reservoir to the steering gear. It is the intermediary, and if it starts to fail, the steering gear will not receive adequate amounts of fluid.
As a result, it can begin to malfunction. Various power steering pump issues can occur in your Dodge RAM. The ones listed above are the most common.
Unless you are very keen on assessing different parts of your car, spotting these issues isn’t the easiest thing to do. However, a couple of warning signs can help you know your power steering pump is failing. They include;
1. A slowly responding steering wheel – The first sign of a failing power steering pump is a steering wheel that responds very slowly.
This happens when you make a turn and realize that the wheels aren’t responding as they usually do. This may be due to leaks in the steering pump, or it has stopped working completely.
2. Funny noises being produced when you turn the steering wheel – If you hear whining noises that could indicate a failing power steering pump.
Immediately check the levels of the power steering fluid if you hear such sounds. And if there is enough fluid, the next culprit is your power steering pump.
3. A stiff steering wheel – A pump that is going bad will make your steering wheel stiff. Driving a car with such a problem is dangerous.
4. Groaning and squealing noises – The early signs of a failing steering wheel are the funny noises produced when the wheel is turned.
If you do not repair or replace the pump in time, the noises will get louder. At times, a bad power steering wheel will produce groaning noises when you start the vehicle.
Please do not ignore these sounds because it is a sign that your power steering pump is in terrible shape, which can damage the entire power steering system.
As a smart driver, you should always be keen on how different parts of your car are responding.
If all of a sudden the steering wheel becomes less responsive and stiff, or sounds start being produced when you turn the wheel, you should inspect the state of your power steering pump.
The first place you should look is the amount of power steering fluid in the reservoir. The above signs can also show when your power steering fluid is running low. But if there are adequate amounts in the reservoir, check if the pump is damaged.
What is the Importance of a Power Steering Pump?
By now, you already know how to tell if a power steering pump is failing. But do you know how important it is for you to have a well-functioning power steering pump?
A lot of people don’t accord power steering pumps the importance they deserve. Most Dodge RAM owners don’t even have to deal with power steering pump issues throughout the lifetime of their cars.
This pump is responsible for transferring power steering fluid from the reservoir to the steering gear. This fluid then assists in the application of enough pressure needed for wheels to turn effortlessly.
Power steering pumps aren’t built to last a lifetime, and they will wear eventually. This isn’t an issue affecting Dodge RAMs, but all cars are vulnerable to a failing power steering pump.
Regular check-up of the pump and steering fluid is critical if you want the system to perform optimally.
Can I Drive a Car with a Bad Power Steering Pump?
Not at all. Immediately you notice your car’s power steering system is not functioning well, park the vehicle on the side of the road. Organize how the car can be towed to a safe place.
Only drive the vehicle when the power steering pump has been replaced or repaired. There is only a small allowance on whether you can drive a vehicle with a failing power steering pump.
And that is you can drive a car for a short distance. By this, we mean driving it to the nearest auto service center.
A malfunctioning power steering pump can damage the steering gear and the entire system.
Also, if you cannot take full control of your vehicle’s steering, this puts you at a higher risk of getting into an accident.
How Much is Dodge RAM Power Steering Pump Replacement?
Inclusive of both the price of the pump and labor fees, the average cost of a Dodge RAM power steering pump replacement is $500 to $700. The cost of the pump ranges from $350 to $500.