Power steering issue

[Bensjeeptj]

My 03 4.0 doesn’t have power steering below 2k rpm. Above 2k it works just fine, this has started ever since I put a new power steering pump in. The actual box has developed a slow leak out of the spot where the horn connects to the box. My potential ideas are:
- the new pump is too powerful and overwhelming the box
- the belt is slipping
- the idler is an issue (a friend suggested this)
I’ve considered putting the power steering stop-leak in, but that’s gonna be a pain to deal with down the road.
Do I put stop leak in? Do I throw on a new belt? Do I throw in a new idler? Do I need a new box altogether?
I was hoping to try to fix this before I go wheeling next weekend. Thanks in advance.

 

[macleanflood]

My guess is you just got a bad new part. Very common these days.

I'd replace the power steering pump (again.)

Have you looked at your crank pulley? Very common for the rubber that bonds the ring to fail.

-Mac

 

[Bensjeeptj]

My guess is you just got a bad new part. Very common these days.

I'd replace the power steering pump (again.)

-Mac

Any idea as to why the power steering box is now leaking?

 

[macleanflood]

Any idea as to why the power steering box is now leaking?

Did you replace any of the o-rings?

-Mac

 

[Bensjeeptj]

Did you replace any of the o-rings?

-Mac

I haven’t touched the box, I had some issues where the ps was intermittent before I blew my old pump, which I assumed was the pump, but it’s making me wonder if the box had issues all along

 

[Bensjeeptj]

I haven’t touched the box, I had some issues where the ps was intermittent before I blew my old pump, which I assumed was the pump, but it’s making me wonder if the box had issues all along

The whole “ps works fine above 2k” thing has got me weirded out though

 

[macleanflood]

The whole “ps works fine above 2k” thing has got me weirded out though

Could be the new pump. Could be your crank pulley is spinning on bad rubber...but that would also affect charging and cooling.

-Mac

 

[Bensjeeptj]

Could be the new pump. Could be your crank pulley is spinning on bad rubber...but that would also affect charging and cooling.

-Mac

I have no issues with charging or cooling, despite the mud on my radiator that I haven’t gotten a chance to clean since I last went wheeling, and the 700watts of subs running. No issues with charging or cooling, only ps.