My power steering works pretty much flawlessly onroad, but when I go offroading I've been having issues. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't.. is this a sign of the fluid overheating or the pump failing or something?

I used to be able to rev it up and get it back, but this last time I was wheeling that didn't help.

In case it matters, I've got 33's and 4.56 gears.

 

How's your fluid level? I know if mine is a little low (still in the good range on level ground) and I get a little off camber, that the fluid in the res will slosh around and cause a lot of air bubbles in the fluid. This will cause my steering to "sputter."

 

fluid level is good, I guess I should mention at one point I did have a leak and replaced the high side pressure line so the pump was run low/empty but not for long. So fluid is fairly new because of that.. I haven't owned the Jeep long enough to know if it was a prior issue before the leak though.

 

anyone?

 

Sounds like it just may be the pump going out. If the pump veins aren't sealing all the way, pressure output will be reduced and the steering effort will increase. this will be amplified on the trail with heat soaked power steering system fluid.