Overworked PS pump?

[strada-caster]

So I went wheeling in my truck for the first time since I bought it and this happened.

Beginning of day: everything fine

Air down, lets roll.

part way through the day till the end:
-Very loose steering(~20°-25° steering wheel turn before tire movement) (inexperience with low PSI tires maybe??they were only at 23PSI)
-The usual PS pump whine on fully cranked turns but only when truck was on an incline or angle. don't recall flat turns making it angry
-Stop, then start the vehicle. First couple of 1/2 cranked turns had the whine then it was back to whining only with fully cranked angled etc. (as though the pump needed to be primed??).

I haven't done a major inspection but do know the pump is not leaking. Also, the steering is back to normal the first day after the trails.

Just looking for some direction or ideas or possible causes.

Thanks.

[mararmeisto]

I'm going to ask the obvious question ('cause you didn't talk about it in your write-up): did you check the power steering fluid level?

[strada-caster]

Of course I didn't check the simplest possibility.

it's low. I'll drain and fill with new shortly.

Thanks

[strada-caster]

So, I'm a little confused on what fluid I need for my power steering.

Manual (north american montero/mighty max) says Dexron II transmission fluid.

Fluid already in my pump is brown. isn't tranny fluid redish?

What does everyone else use??

thanks.

[nvanadm]

So, I'm a little confused on what fluid I need for my power steering.

Manual (north american montero/mighty max) says Dexron II transmission fluid.

Fluid already in my pump is brown. isn't tranny fluid redish?

What does everyone else use??

thanks.

I'm not sure what fluid to use, and I could be totally wrong here, but I don't think you use transmission fluid in your power steering. I'm not a mechanic, but that just doesn't make sense to me.

I'm sure someone will clarify.

[fishslapper]

tranny fluid turns from red to brown when it is really old and tired . I would say that the power steering fluid is probably just really old ! I would use whatever is recommended in the manual.
it is not uncommon to use tranny fluid in the power steering system though.....

Sounds like it was not checked or serviced for a very long time.
cheers

[strada-caster]

I like the comments...

but can anyone confirm exactly what they are using.

brand
color bottle
color liquid
where to buy.

I've heard stories that mixing the wrong stuff can have dire effects that I don't want to deal with.

[Strada 92]

The good fluid for the power steering is dexron II or higher(III or more).It's automatic transmission
fluid.It's red and you can find it in any good auto parts store.You need to flush all the old fluid
and fill it up with fresh dexron fluid.