Power steering intermittent on right turns

[Warren555]

After reading many threads and not finding the answer to my problem, I have decided to take the plunge and ask the experts directly.
My Grand Cherokee 4.0 1997 has a power steering problem. It works fine when making left turns but sometimes when turning right it stops working completely.
At first I thought it was worse when making slow turns like parking but now it seems like it can happen at any speed. To give you some idea, it probably happens about 60% - 70% of the time whilst driving.
I changed the power steering fluid to the recomended Jeep fluid which is clear (the existing fluid looked to be a brown colour) but that cured nothing. The next step is a new P/S pump and if that does not work perhaps the dealership. Before I spend any money I am hoping for some sound advice.
Any help or advice would be appreciated.
Thanks.

[xj31]

If it is only to the right,it is most likely the gear box.

[bmwgolfguy]

Well 555, I am by no means a mechanic, but I can tell you I encountered a similar problem on my 02 LeSabre which has 90,000 miles on it. But it involved both right and left turns.

When I turned the wheel, I got a choppy motion in the steering wheel, not unlike older 4x4 Jeeps when 4high is engaged and making a turn.

For the heck of it, I decided to check the PS fluid. Sure enough, although not bone dry, it was real close. I replenished it and it runs fine now. I think I got to it before serious damage was done. And there are no apparent leaks. I think the original fluid just dissapated through use over time.

Given that you only encounter this on right turns, my guess is it is something other than the power steering.

Good luck!

[Warren555]

Hi xj31 and bmwgolfguy.
Thanks for your responses. xj31 seeing as I am no great shakes at mechanics, I was wondering how the gearbox had anything to do with the power steering. As it turns out I am having trouble with the transmission, but I think that is to do more with the crankshaft sensor than anything else. What is happening is the Jeep is losing power when I try to accelerate and now cuts out sometimes completely. I believe the irregularity of the revs is confusing the gearbox rather than the box being shot. Does that sound about right to you?

[dksob81]

If the jeep is wanting to die out when making right turns, then it sounds like you may have a restriction in the gear box which is not allowing the fluid to flow through on right turns which is putting excessive strain on the power steering pump which is putting excessive strain on the engine which is making it loose power.