Heidi Nequist

I have a new "to me" 2018 Wrangler and I had it in the mud today. After doing a few donuts it became very difficult to turn at low rpms. Once I was up to speed, I could turn fine. There doesn't appear to be a leak of fluid or anything disconnected or broken. We checked all connections and everything looks fine! I literally drove it off the lot 2 weeks ago and it only have 20,000 miles on it. Any ideas as to what it could be?

ronjenx

Low assist at low rpms usually indicates damaged vanes in the pump.

If you were overloading the pump during the mudding, that would be something to consider.

Other things to check are the pump drive belt for low tension, and fluid level.

Bigguy45

i second the pump issue. might have put too much load on it in the mud.

Sixty4x4

Best way to ruin power steering is to hold the wheel at full lock. I recommend one goes to full lock then relax the wheel back a bit like 1/16 of a turn. Makes the pump last way longer.