Any Mechanics Out There?

I attempted to do a doughnut today in a nearby parking lot.. (i know, just trying to impress the ladies..) and i did a full doughnut and a small burnout takeoff.. after that i had no power steering. It would make a whining kind of noise if i steered left or right on takeoff.. and it would get louder when i accelerate... Checked the power steering fluid level and it was low.. so i added more. But before i added more, the fluid inside was a dark brown, almost like a balsamic vinegar. what can i do before i get a ridiculous estimate from a mechanic? Any help would be appreciated

Where the ladies impressed?

Originally Posted by pjost

Where the ladies impressed?

Yea!.. until i started freaking out that my power steering went..

Originally Posted by IdahoScrapper

Dakota right? I have a 2000 and it's got a steering leak, whines when it's low, it's dirty, blah blah...

Not at all motivated to fix it, so I keep it topped off

Yea, seriously! Yea 2007 dakota.. hopefully its just needs bled out and replaced with new fluid

Brake stands, and roll backs get the numbers.

Oh Benny.. Benny Benny Benny.. You've got to be careful to not tear up your rig that makes you cash.. whether that means it gets you to your job.. or it allows you to hunt that scrap for duckets.

When I got into car scrapping I became friends with 2 dudes that loved to mud and tear sh*t up.. One was smart and had a mud-toy- which he promptly broke doing a run one night. The 2nd dude had a jacked Silverado that he took out to the same mud hole. He dropped his tranny and had to bum rides to work for a while. See where I'm heading with this my man?

I remember when I was a kid-- whenever a car would rev its engine or try to squawk it's tires..my mom always used to sarcastically say "Whoo whoo.. makes me want to drop my panties" Freakin' hilarious!

The ladies love it when I roll coal, well... maybe not. But I sure do! Lol that being said, I find some are more impressed when I just cruise by nice and easy and give em a nod or a smile. More Respectful and they dont think you're being a total dink. Iv had them out of the blue (I sometimes dont even see them) walk up and compliment the truck. Being yourself, and respectful will get you alot further. PS enjoy your single days.... this girl business isnt always what its cracked up to be.... truuuust me LOL

As for the power steering, its gotta have a leak somewhere. No fluid levels just drop for no reason. With the exception of brake fluid (level drops slightly as the pads wear) Just get er checked out. Wont cost you much just to have it checked and who knows could be as simple as a rotten hose clamp. If theres no fluid on the ground, check the boots on your steering rack. Iv seen seals leak and fill up those boots, till one day.....

Lol @ everyones replies! You all are telling me you never did a donut in your trucks? Just because you could? I did! Plus, I made my sons do one ( the ones that learned to drive by driving my truck) first thing in an empty parking lot to get a feel for the skid.

It's more than likely a coincidence but check your pump.

Originally Posted by Immulmen

Nothing better then bombing around a big empty parking lot covered with 6" of snow.

AAAAMMMMEN! Just watch out for those poles!

Bad PS pumps are pretty common on Dakotas and Durangos. Check your pump shaft, all lines AND rack for a leak. If there's no leak, you could try new fluid and some power steering conditioner (BG makes a good one, it's about $10 a bottle). If the noise and rough steering persist, your pump is likely bad and will require replacement.

Also, if your truck uses a plastic pulley on the pump, better have a new one on hand when you go to do the job. Plastic Chrysler power steering pulleys are JUNK, and it is sometimes impossible to pull them off without destroying them, even with the proper tools. If you buy a remanufactured pump, get one WITH the reservoir already on it. Trust me, they are a nightmare to get sealed up if you have to reuse your old reservoir.

Edit: Almost forgot this, but it's important. While servicing your pump, check your power steering pressure sensor. If the wiring plug is wet inside with fluid, replace it. The wiring coming off the sensor goes into the same harness as your O2 sensor wiring. As crazy as this sounds, power steering fluid from a leaking pressure switch can leach into your wiring harness, destroy your O2 sensor and plug up your catalytic converter. I've seen it happen more than once, and any Chrysler dealer mechanic has probably seen it. The pressure switch is cheap, and it can save you a very costly and aggravating problem later.

Benny a little tip
Different set of tires if your going out to mess around. Save you a lot of money to burn up a $10 set of tires instead of your good tires.

Originally Posted by NHscrapman

Benny a little tip
Different set of tires if your going out to mess around. Save you a lot of money to burn up a $10 set of tires instead of your good tires.

Yep, using the tires i got in on a trade on cl.. my nice tires are for winter

Long time ago and in a far away place. I did a doughnut in my 70 torino gt. On the second time around I bumped it into neutral and it redlined. The fan belt exploded and took out the transmission cooling line. Too be young again. Makes me think it's time to take the Mustang out for a spin.