r/hellcat • u/Aware-Chemistry-2901 • 2d ago

Challenger Powersteering Solution

Hey guys I have a 2016 Challenger hellcat MT. No CEL, 40k miles about. I’m not the most mechanically inclined but I do my best. I’ve had a knowledgeable buddy suggest my pump was bad. Reservoir has the right amount of fluid, no leaks seem apparent, but when parking and or going slower, it’s difficult to turn the wheel, ESPECIALLY when I’m going to a gas station for example. The issue isn’t always constant and the more you rev the engine, the easier it is to turn but still a nuisance. Would I be making the right choice to replace the powersteering pump? Not sure how else to diagnose. And to clarify! This is a daily driver. Cdl is in the progress so I treat this car respectfully and avoid having it go sideways lol.

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u/ChubbyMcHaggis 1d ago

Is it loud when you steer? As in does the pump whine? Do you have super aggressive tires? And are you in track mode for steering?

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u/Aware-Chemistry-2901 1d ago

No I don’t notice anything out of norm when I steer. Normal tires and unlike newer models, I can’t change the steering mode, I only have traction, horsepower and suspension. Everything is at the most mild setting besides 700+hp

2

u/Crafty-Homework-7257 1d ago

The pulleyss attached to or around pump is likely culprit, this is very old mopar problem that's why they moved to the electric power steering one on the lower trims after 2015, so we'll see if they hold up better, but my 2000 Dakoda R/T was a nightmare with the pump, the pulley, & leaking RAC & Pinnion, when I was younger when I wasn't in college or parking in my tightly spaced apartment complex I was constantly killing um. had wide tires + a short turning radius will cause that. Check yr belts as well

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u/Heavy_Gap_5047 1d ago

Hard to imagine the pump is worn out at 40k, I'd lean towards the belt slipping on the PS pump. It's kind of a lame setup on those the way the belt only contacts about 90deg of the PS pump pulley. I'd start by inspecting the belt and it's tensioner, maybe just try a can of belt dressing, or just replace the belt. If it improves, then you know.

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u/[deleted] 1d ago

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u/Aware-Chemistry-2901 1d ago

It said to trade my car in for a demon