Power Steering Pump Replacement

[gnadoc]

I looked out the window this morning to see a puddle under the front of my 2003 2500 HD. Eventually, I bundled up and went out to chcek it out. The fluid reservoir was over filled, and that's where it was leaking from. When I started it up, there is no power steering or power brakes. Normally I'd take it to the shop on monday, but my favorite shop is farther to drive it, and I want to go hunting on monday. It doesn't seem like this should be that hard to replace.

 

I have a decent selection of tools, and I've done worse jobs than this, but never touched a PS pump before. Assuming one of my local auto parts stors has one of these, are there any seriopus difficulties or tricks I should know about before tackeling this in my driveway?

[Shawn T]

I looked out the window this morning to see a puddle under the front of my 2003 2500 HD. Eventually, I bundled up and went out to chcek it out. The fluid reservoir was over filled, and that's where it was leaking from. When I started it up, there is no power steering or power brakes. Normally I'd take it to the shop on monday, but my favorite shop is farther to drive it, and I want to go hunting on monday. It doesn't seem like this should be that hard to replace.

 

I have a decent selection of tools, and I've done worse jobs than this, but never touched a PS pump before. Assuming one of my local auto parts stors has one of these, are there any seriopus difficulties or tricks I should know about before tackeling this in my driveway?

 

I had the same problem on my 03 HD. Come to find out, it was not the pump but a more common problem. The recirculating line pressure regualting valve, or check valve. You still have to drain and remove the pump to get to it, but it's only around $16. You need a rattle gun or a good vise to hold the resivoir to remove it. It threads in on the return line. It was not that bad of a job. My buddy's truck did the same thing about 3 months later. Instead of removing the pump and replacing the valve, I recommended trying some lucas oil. We pumped out about half of the resivior and replaced it with lucas oil. As soon as he started it up it idled for about 5 minutes and began to free itself up. He cranked the wheel a few times to tax the pump and bingo, it worked like a charm. I am not sure if this is your problem, but it may help. In fact I got my info off this forum about the valve. You may want to do a search on the subject.

[Kodiak450]

Funny, you have this problem, I just had the line rot out on mine and started leaking. Had a whole new assembly put in. Resevoir box, pump, lines. Steering feels better then it did before the leak. Guess after time thats what happens. My warrranty covered everything, so thats why I went with all new.

[gnadoc]

When I talked to my hunting buddy, he said could drive, and he recommended a local shop with a rollback. I called them at 9:00 this morning, and picked it up at 6:00 this evening. The bill seemed reasonable, BUT, the new pump whines. I don't think they knew how to bleed the steering/brake arrangement correctly. Also, the brakes don't feel right when I tap them abruptly. I get a sort of bounce back feeling. There must still be air in the system. I guess I'll be bleeding the system after work tomorrow.

[jro909]

When I talked to my hunting buddy, he said could drive, and he recommended a local shop with a rollback. I called them at 9:00 this morning, and picked it up at 6:00 this evening. The bill seemed reasonable, BUT, the new pump whines. I don't think they knew how to bleed the steering/brake arrangement correctly. Also, the brakes don't feel right when I tap them abruptly. I get a sort of bounce back feeling. There must still be air in the system. I guess I'll be bleeding the system after work tomorrow.

 

 

p/s should burp itself

[ChevyTech77]

I had the same problem on my 03 HD. Come to find out, it was not the pump but a more common problem. The recirculating line pressure regualting valve, or check valve. You still have to drain and remove the pump to get to it, but it's only around $16. You need a rattle gun or a good vise to hold the resivoir to remove it. It threads in on the return line. It was not that bad of a job. My buddy's truck did the same thing about 3 months later. Instead of removing the pump and replacing the valve, I recommended trying some lucas oil. We pumped out about half of the resivior and replaced it with lucas oil. As soon as he started it up it idled for about 5 minutes and began to free itself up. He cranked the wheel a few times to tax the pump and bingo, it worked like a charm. I am not sure if this is your problem, but it may help. In fact I got my info off this forum about the valve. You may want to do a search on the subject.

 

I've never heard of that before in my life. Are you sure you're not talking about the flow control valve that is inside the pump behind the PRESSURE line?

[ChevyTech77]

When I talked to my hunting buddy, he said could drive, and he recommended a local shop with a rollback. I called them at 9:00 this morning, and picked it up at 6:00 this evening. The bill seemed reasonable, BUT, the new pump whines. I don't think they knew how to bleed the steering/brake arrangement correctly. Also, the brakes don't feel right when I tap them abruptly. I get a sort of bounce back feeling. There must still be air in the system. I guess I'll be bleeding the system after work tomorrow.

These trucks bleed air out of them like crazy, that's most likely not it. For the reservior to be overfull after sitting there is something else wrong and it wasn't the pump. Might have a restriction in a line or the hydro-boost brake booster.

[Shawn T]

I had the same problem on my 03 HD. Come to find out, it was not the pump but a more common problem. The recirculating line pressure regualting valve, or check valve. You still have to drain and remove the pump to get to it, but it's only around $16. You need a rattle gun or a good vise to hold the resivoir to remove it. It threads in on the return line. It was not that bad of a job. My buddy's truck did the same thing about 3 months later. Instead of removing the pump and replacing the valve, I recommended trying some lucas oil. We pumped out about half of the resivior and replaced it with lucas oil. As soon as he started it up it idled for about 5 minutes and began to free itself up. He cranked the wheel a few times to tax the pump and bingo, it worked like a charm. I am not sure if this is your problem, but it may help. In fact I got my info off this forum about the valve. You may want to do a search on the subject.

 

I've never heard of that before in my life. Are you sure you're not talking about the flow control valve that is inside the pump behind the PRESSURE line?

 

 

It was 4 years ago. I'm sure your right, it's on the pressure side. Anyway, that is what cured the problem.

[ChevyTech77]

It was 4 years ago. I'm sure your right, it's on the pressure side. Anyway, that is what cured the problem.

 

Just askin'.

[Shawn T]

It was 4 years ago. I'm sure your right, it's on the pressure side. Anyway, that is what cured the problem.

 

Just askin'.

 

 

No worries buddy. I just got my lines crossed. Literally. It sounds like he got the pump replaced and now it whines. The air should purge out in the resivoir right away, correct? It sounds like something didn't go right.

[ChevyTech77]

Unless the new pump is pulling air through a poor connection on the return side, correct.

 

Probably an aftermarket reman pump. Most of those whine no matter what you do. I'm still thinking that

he has a restriction or some other problem going on.

[gnadoc]

Bleeding the pump made no difference. I'm beginning to wonder if the shop got power steering fluid on the serpentine belt, and now it is slipping a little. It doesn't sound exactly like slipping belt, but maybe close enough. I'll probably change the belt this weekend.