Weird Issue With Steering And Brakes

[nm659]

Hello!

I have just purchased a 1998 international 3800 (t444e). The bus runs an drives great, except for one thing.

When I slow down and go to turn, it slows down perfectly and then when I start turning the wheel a lot like to turn into a driveway or street, the brake pressure light comes on and I hear what sounds like the brake boost pump (same sound that I hear if I turn the bus off and hit the brake pedal) and the steering gets extremely hard to finish turning like the power steering pump stops working or something. It only does this when im going real slow and turning. When im on the highway it goes good and sometimes it turns good when im pulling it out of my driveway and things like that. I also noticed, if I turn the bus on, let it sit for a couple of minutes, and then try to turn the wheel really sharp when sitting still, it makes that brake pressure light come on as well as that sound just like when trying to make slow turns. So when the wheel hits a certain threshold it starts happening.

I have checked brake and power steering fluid, everything looks good in those. It has the hydraulic brakes btw.

If someone could give me some ideas or maybe you have had this same issue, any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[magnakansas]

From your post

1) you don’t have air brakes.

2) your power steering and brake boost assist come from the same pressure pump.

3) go find a dozen u tube videos about bendix/Bosch hydromax.

4) with your newly absorbed information go think about what is happening.

5) open the hood and see if you have a belt drive power steering pump. a, with engine running have some steer the wheels all the way left and all the way right without a foot on the brake pedal. b, do it all again with a foot hard down on the brake pedal.

6) go back to YouTube university and see if you can figure out what is happening.

If you want to call and discuss 7852077600

William

 

[nm659]

1) you don’t have air brakes.

2) your power steering and brake boost assist come from the same pressure pump.

3) go find a dozen u tube videos about bendix/Bosch hydromax.

4) with your newly absorbed information go think about what is happening.

5) open the hood and see if you have a belt drive power steering pump. a, with engine running have some steer the wheels all the way left and all the way right without a foot on the brake pedal. b, do it all again with a foot hard down on the brake pedal.

6) go back to YouTube university and see if you can figure out what is happening.

William

Thank you, I will take that info and see what I can find. I did not know it came from the same pressure pump. I can definitely see how that could be causing the issue if something is failing in that pump. I appreciate your help.

 

[mmoore6856]

if its a belt drive the belt is loose or worn, if its a mechanical coupling bolted on its a bad pump or low on fluid

 

[cadillackid]

he says its a T444E its a gear drive power steering pump.. so there is no belt..



sounds like either there is moisture in the steering fluid system.. the power steering filter is clogged (yes there is a filter in the reservoire).. or the pump is on its way out..



if it turns better and easier when its cold than hot, I tend to think that the pump may be on its way out.. on the highway your pump is spinning faster and you arent calling for as much assist as you are when you are both braking and turning at the same time.. the pump must maintain fluid and pressure both...



you can look at the filter in your reservoirs and see if its full of metal or not..



if in fact the pump is dying then you will want to flush the whole power steering / brake assist system when you change it as it may very well ahve sent metal through..



whats your fluid look like? dirty? clean?



the pump on these is located on the front top area of the engine in the valley...