power steering help...'01 cummins

I have a BIG puddle of PS fluid under my '01 2500 ram 4x4. When it's cold out the PS pump would hum and the steering would be sticky (you could feel the "humming" through the steering wheel and brake pedal), but would be fine once it warmed up. Fluid level checked frequently...always had a real slight leak.
Well, I made a very short trip w/ it yesterday morning, then late yesterday afternoon I see the big puddle of fluid under it.
I have not looked under the hood, but I'm assuming the PS pump needs to be replaced as well as the seal in the vacuum pump.

I'll probably tear into it this weekend. Looks like the best way is to remove the PS pump and vacuum pump as an assembly?

Just ordered the vacuum pump rebuild/seal kit. I can get the PS pump from the local parts store. Any other parts I'll probably need?

Any advice or tips?

Stupid question...refill w/ PS fluid or auto trans fluid? I've been using PS fluid.
Thanks!

Fill the P/S with ATF+4. much better cold weather performance than regular P/S fluid. The fluid will foam out when cold and you may not actually have a pump issue. ATF+4 has additives to help with foaming.

Id verify where the leak is at before spending any money on parts that you dont need..

71 yella...thanks, I'll do that.

340shorty...I agree. I just went ahead and bought the vacuum pump kit b/c it was really cheap ($17 shipped) and I knew it was gonna have to be ordered. Wanted to go ahead and get it on the way. If I don't need it now, I'll just throw it on the shelf b/c I plan on keeping this truck...surely I'll need it later.

I had the same problem with my 2000. I suggest a new vac pump as my reseal didn't work. I went with a new PS pump too as the factory one always sucked. It just puked a puddle one day like yours.

Easiest way is to removed the ps/vacuum pump still attached together. I've had mine off probably 4 times due to first a ps pump going bad then dealing with leaks... took over an hour the 1st time, now not even 15 mins If you didn't get the pump yet, be sure to get one with the sprocket on it and not have to pull your old one and press on the replacement. I got my pump from napa and it came on it already. As far as the seal kits for the vacuum pump... mines been done 3 times, still leaks

Thanks for the info yall. I rebuilt the vacuum pump and put on a new PS pump...all is good so far.

Just keep an eye out for leaks. Mine still drips, but the 1st time it poured out. After multiple attempts I'm ok with it, rust proofing