Sometimes manuvering in a parking lot I can feel an extreme amount of resistance on the wheel. There has been a couple of times where it took both arms and nearly all my strength to turn the wheel. Is anyone else experiencing this???? I took it to the dealer and the first time he said this was normal on the DMAX. The second time they had it, they said it felt a little stiff and replaced the steering gear box. They said it was binding. However, 2 days after getting it back from them it does the same thing plus I have alot of play in my steering wheel now. Its tighter at slow speeds and opens up the gap at higher speeds. Kind of loose feeling on the freeway. My 2500HD 6.0L felt flawless with the steering feedback. Any ideas or help on this would be much appreciated......http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif


Also what is the proper power steering fluid for this?? Shouldn't it be Dextrom III?? Mine is brown like oil.

welcome to the world of diesels....the maxs weight is about 2.5 times what the lil 6.0 is

Mine does this when a tire pressure gets low. Also happens alot when at idle but as soon as I give it alittle gas it frees up. When my tires are low a alittle gas does not help.

P.S. I think our steering boxes do not rotate enought when at idle speeds which causes this. But tires pressure cann make this worse.

I think there is a hydro boost recall that might address this problem.

I took it in on the Hydro Boost recall and they said it was for my 6.0L 2500HD and not my DMAX. That's when they changed out the gear box. However they said they inspected it and it's fine. MAX.....how much play should be in the wheel???? They actually caused more problems than they fixed with the gear box. Thanks

Sorry.....they said the Hydro Boost valve was fine....

Sometimes manuvering in a parking lot I can feel an extreme amount of resistance on the wheel. There has been a couple of times where it took both arms and nearly all my strength to turn the wheel. Is anyone else experiencing this???? I took it to the dealer and the first time he said this was normal on the DMAX. The second time they had it, they said it felt a little stiff and replaced the steering gear box. They said it was binding. However, 2 days after getting it back from them it does the same thing plus I have alot of play in my steering wheel now. Its tighter at slow speeds and opens up the gap at higher speeds. Kind of loose feeling on the freeway. My 2500HD 6.0L felt flawless with the steering feedback. Any ideas or help on this would be much appreciated......http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif


Also what is the proper power steering fluid for this?? Shouldn't it be Dextrom III?? Mine is brown like oil.





Gman915,


Dextron III is not normaly "Brown", it's "Red".


Idahofox

Idahofox,


Roger that. But mine is brown. Just verifying the proper fluid type. Thanks..

The Chevy fluid is actually clear when new. I flushed and filled mine with Royel Purple synthetic power steering fluid and I think it is much smoother. Now my oil is dark purple so it will be hard to tell when it is dirty but you should go by mileage anyway.

I guess this may be opening up another "can of worms" but, is the power steering fluid supposed to be changed at any certain intervals? I've never read my owners manual. Just curious. If so it would be worth it to go with synthetic.

Mine steers better at 50psi front

When I went to get the steering noise fixed (NOT) the tech told me that it really isnt the best thing to go higher than 285's, and even that was puhsing it.

Even with the stock tires, I can catch the PS off guard, and it seems to bog for a second, or if its really hot, it will squack at me. Only had that happen once though......

I run the stockers at 70 psi...http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif

Power steering fluid part #89021184 this is a pint container,

This is a common thing with these trucks and it is true that it is intensified whith larger tires. I had a similar problem in my 2000 Z71, but it is much more noticeable in my current 04 LB7. I just make sure my foot is not on the brake, and if possible, nudge the gas pedal ever so slightly, and the wheel will turn easier.


Bill

Maybe it is in my head but my truck had the torsion bars turned up


alot and I decided to lower them some, didn't like the rough ride. And


now it seems to turn easier and sharper. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Confused.gif I also have the 285's at


50 psi. Just a thought, if in case your torsion bars are turned up.

It is normal to need a little more effort to turn sharp at idle speed. Put the little woman in the truck and watch the front wheels when she makes a full lock turn. One wheel will be pointing north and the other north east. One wheel will also have about 10 degrees positive camber. That is just the way it works. This is also the worst time to get on the gas. This is what breaks steering linkage parts. Later! Frank

Also, I bought a '03 3500 right after they came out and my 4wheel drive would kick in on it's own, and would not show the 4wheel drive light on, the 2wheel light would still be on. If your's has not been fixed that will definately make it harder to turn. Just another thought.

Go to your dealer and make them compare it to another truck. It should be the same. If not make them explain why. Assuming you are still using stock tires and parts they should make it comparable to any other truck with like options.