What mileage did YOU replace your steering pump? I'm at 164K and notice a dark oil stain on the cylinder. I also have kind of skittish steering. I did the adjustment of the tension on the steering box, I may have gone too far with that. I'm only on 31's but think a new/rebuilt box might be time (I'll go Durango-new). Is 164K too low of a milage to replace it? EVERYTHING else steering wise is only 1-2 years old. I think the age of it along with me tightening it (for what I later found out was not enough caster angle) may be a smart thing at this point. What do you think?

 

Pump or gear? Change the pump when it leaks or makes noise. Change the gear when it gets sloppy and won't adjust back in. Some last the life of the vehicle, there is no set mileage.

 

Mine is still the original gear box and pump at 245k miles. Replace parts when they wear out, there's no specific mileage they should be replaced at.

 

I did my pump just the other day at 207k. Although, mine was leaking like a sieve and would dump an entire bottle of fluid on the ground. I got the replacement for $40 with a coupon at advance (always order online and search for coups). Was a pretty easy repair.

 

I got 166K on my 95 GCherokee 5.2L and the pump and steering box work just fine, no hesitation, no noise.

 

Now at 157K, my '96 pump has a feature that when it is below 35 degrees ambient, the steering is sometimes frozen upon startup, but then suddenly "breaks free." Thought it was ice, but that makes no sense, as it does it slightly above freezing, and new fluid did not help. I've lived with it like that six years, so the symptom developed at about 100K. From what I understand, a new pump would help.

 

Just change the fluid in it and keep on truckin'.

I suck it out with a turkey baster and then fill it back up with new fluid.

 

"Pump or gear? Change the pump when it leaks or makes noise. Change the gear when it gets sloppy and won't adjust back in. Some last the life of the vehicle, there is no set mileage."-gear. I have noise when I hold the wheel lock out on either side. I have the leak on the steering gear, on the engine side of the gear, but now that you have me thinking, maybe its the pump leaking? I'll have to look at it harder. Thank you.

 

I believe I'm on the verge of having to replace my pump. Every now and again it get super tough to turn my 31"s and I have to raise the rpms to be able to move the wheel. No visible leaks or noises....I'm somewhat perplexed

 

Cold > clearance opens up in the box, usually noticed most on right hand turns for some reason, steering wheel slow to return. Everything's "normal" tho when warm right? Don't worry as with most things it will get worse with age.

 

The Peep's rolled past 637000+km tonight. Still the original box and pump. Been on 31's for over 250000km. I've run a good dose of Lucas PS snakeoil in the pump since about 400000km, no snake bite back yet. It still works very good and no leaking.

 

Try changing the fluid.