Steering issue....

[v82fas]

With the meet just round the corner this could not have come at a worse time. Problem:

Steering goes heavy, like I've lost steering when idle. No fluid leaking, pulley is spinning.

Then, when I apply more revs, the steering goes back to normal, but then the second i come off the revs the steering goes heavy again. Almost undrivable.

The pump, reservoir were replaced 4 months back, worked amazing. The pulley is the upgraded aluminium. This literally happened about an hour ago luckily as I was putting her to sleep.

It whines however when I try and turn when I apply revs.

Is this a pump issue?

[fatboy18]

Sounds like it

Whats the fluid level like?

Its late here, post up a thread on the VOA Usa site, they might have more info?

Or Call Chuck Tator in the USA

20 Spring St S, South Salem, NY 10590, United States
Tel [phone]

Edited by fatboy18 on Thursday 10th September 22:53

[v82fas]

Cheers mark, fluid level normal. No leaks! I'll post it up on voa

[fatboy18]

For what its worth, I have had Two Power Steering pumps fail on my Vivaro Van in less than 12 months,
So st happens! Sounds like a faulty part. Contact Snake oyl and see if they will replace it.

If not see if you can cross ref the part, I think Jeeps use the same pump? Any Chrysler dealers near you?

[fatboy18]

Found this http://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/aaz-20-771/a...

[v82fas]

Thanks mark, I'm going to email viper parts USA later and see what they say...just my luck after the amount of things I've replaced on this in the last few months!

[ViperDave]

Pretty sure when i was looking into PS problems when my pulley went i saw evidence on the forums indicating the pump was off the shelf part applicable to many Chrysler cars. Cant remember if it was VCA, Alley, VOA or even here, but i think it was to the point it should be easy to get a replacement.

Might be worth a search and read of the threads. Do something like

power steering site:driveviper.com to search VOA's site, in fact very first result

http://driveviper.com/forums/threads/10410-Whining...


ps sorry if I'm teaching granny to suck eggs with search engines

[v82fas]

Well the pump is only 4 months old so if it is the pump that is at fault then a replacement is needed. BUT, the pump also came with the upgraded aluminium reservoir as a compete product, I'm not sure I can separate the reservoir?

I'm also thinking...the pressure lines attached to the pump are nearly 20 years old...could one of those have failed?

I'm at work at the moment so can't check anything till later tonight.

[Viper]

if a line had gone I wouldnt start your car up, power steering fluid burns very well and has totally destroyed a lot of vipers over the years,
its well worth having the cap mod that's securely fastens it down

[v82fas]

The current reservoir does t have the issue with the cap as its securely fastened and vented. There are no leaks. The problem is either the pump or the lines... But my money is pump.

[fatboy18]

Just wondering?

Did you use the correct type of Power Steering Fluid?

In the Gen 1 and II cars the Mopar fluid is MS5931 Part Number 04883077

On later Gen 3 / 4 Vipers its a different fluid (the red stuff ATF-4)

If you go to Halfords the replacement or Top Up fluid is SLICK 50 Power Steering Fluid

Info here
http://www.slick50.info/power_steering_fluid/

[v82fas]

It's only ever had the mopar fluid in it as there was a full bottle which came with the car last year and Carl topped up the remaining (when we changed pumps). I also have some fluid which meets the mopar equivalent (same ms number) which I have not used yet. If chuck can send me what I need I can start the swap after the meet, hopefully I can enjoy a few more days Out in her before winter!

[ViperDave]

ATF+ 4 is red, the correct stuff for gen 1 and 2 is the clear stuff like slik 50 as mark says, Don't get the FIAT equivalent as per their Chrysler/Mopar -> FIAT sheet as last year it was wrong and the spec for ours translated to ATF according to it.

There was a TSB out for a lot of our era cars switching them from the clear PS fluid to the ATF but it specifically left the viper on the original fluid for some reason. I think that is why the conversion chart is incorrect for ours, as in many cases ATF is the replacement.

[fatboy18]

Incase you need to work out how to remove the reservoir from the pump, its held on by these clips which have to be slid off backwards from the pump body.




Back of Viper power steering pump

Edited by fatboy18 on Sunday 13th September 21:53

[v82fas]

Thanks Mark, Cory from viper parts gave me a step by step and I managed to separate my old reservoir and pump. He said it's exactly the same with this pump (one that I assume is currently broken). So no probs. actually looking forward to doing this cos then I can give the front of the engine a detail.

[v82fas]

Thanks Mark, Cory from viper parts gave me a step by step and I managed to separate my old reservoir and pump. He said it's exactly the same with this pump (one that I assume is currently broken). So no probs. actually looking forward to doing this cos then I can give the front of the engine a detail.

[fatboy18]

So I take it you still have the old pump too, or have you binned it?

Hope not as you could exchange that old one for a Rebuilt Summit one

[fatboy18]

These are also available from Rock Auto.
Looks like the AC Delco body is Aluminium, the same as the Viper one
https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.ph...

https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=4...

[v82fas]

That's the one I've ordered!