Dodge Ram Power Steering - Cold Weather

[JKS]

My Dodge (2002 CTD) pretty much refuses to steer in the mornings when it is really cold. Sometimes it moans and groans and sometimes it just will not steer period. Has any one else had these type of problems, and if so, what have you done to correct them? I'm thinking that switching over to synthetic power steering fluid is probably they way to go. What brand provides the best cold weather performance?

 

[James K]

do you plug it in at night?

the only time mine does that is if its low on fluid.

 

[JKS]

do you plug it in at night?

the only time mine does that is if its low on fluid.

If it is really cold (here lately) then I plug it in. It doesn't seem to make much of a difference with the steering (it sure does with the starts though). Fluid level is ok. The fluid just seems abnormally thick when it's cold. The truck only has 17,000 miles on it, so the fluid shouldn't be too bad. Just wondering if anyone has tried a synthetic and had good results.

 

[Greg]

My steering moans, groans & is hard to steer weather it's plugged in or not with the very low temps. I've long heard that synthetic PS fluid will make it stop... guess I ought to replace the fluid too. There's a ton of people on DTR (www.dieseltruckresource.com) that said synthetic fluid will fix the problem.

With the cold snap it's very noticeable. I let my truck warm up for 15-20 minutes every morning & the steering is fine after that.

 

[James K]

Just wondering if anyone has tried a synthetic and had good results.

have wanted to but it is always one of those things you forget to do till you realize "man, wish I had done that when it was warmer"

 

[JKS]

have wanted to but it is always one of those things you forget to do till you realize "man, wish I had done that when it was warmer"

I hear you there. It's just one of those things that you don't think about until it gets d@nm cold outside. I think I'll try some synthetic and see how that goes.

 

[Meat_]

On my '98 if it's real cold (single digits, to -) it will steer a bit hard until I've been a few miles to warm the fluid up, but it doesn't make any noise.

 

[Jay5.9L]

I have a 2004 ram 2500 gasser and even with the recent cool temps and it being parked outside my acts normally.

 

[Greg]

I have a 2004 ram 2500 gasser and even with the recent cool temps and it being parked outside my acts normally.

It's a problem with the diesels, the steering & braking system is all gear driven, from the front of the motor. Hence the moaning & groaning when you step on the brake or turn the wheel after firing it up in the cold.