2002 dodge ram power steering and brake problems

[matthew_phlp]

I have a 02 ram with a 5.9 cummins and i am having trouble with power steering and power brakes.last winter it started groaning and the steering would come and go,when it was warm outside it seemed to be ok but this winter it went clear out.I put a pump on it and it was ok for a few days but then went out again.it is making the fluid in the resivoir very foamy which tells me it's putting air in it,or a restriction somewhere but i have found no collapsed lines or anything.Could my hydrobooster be the problem.Any ideas would be appreciated,its hard to drive with no power steering or power brakes.

[HEMIDAZE]

Groaning indicates low fluid. When it groans check the fluid and add if needed or you may ruin your pump. Many trucks (including mine and my daughters) had a leak on the power steering rack. Get under it and look at the return line where it clamps to the rack. It has a defective factory hose clamp on it that allows the fluid to leak. You don't need to remove the bad clamp, just put a new screw type hose clamp next to the factory one. The dealer would repair this free if you complained soon enough. It's probably too late now.