2001 Silverado Steering And Braking Shudder

[muxmaster]

Out of the blue last week when parking a grinding sound starting coming from under the hood of my 2001 Silverado 2500HD 4x4. If I turn the wheel in either direction there is a shudder and grinding noise. The strange thing is, if I push the brake pedal there is a shudder and grinding almost like the steering noise. I still have steering and braking as well as assist on each. The steering pump makes a loud noise at all times. Steering pump shaft was free as were all other accessories and pulleys. Steering fluid level is good and looks/smells fine. Steering linkage is fine and brake system looks/functions OK at each wheel. No leaks or binding.

 

I replaced the steering pump this week because I know it supplies the braking and steering assist. No change. I see that the brake hydroboost unit takes pressure from the pump and sends it on to the steering box so those are related. However, each unit has it's own return line to the pump so it's odd that both systems would be affected(?) The fluid level is fine. What do I check/replace next?

 

Based on one reply, I did check the wheel bearings and they are fine. Co-incidentally I replaced them earlier this year. I have a 6-inch lift and 15.5inch-wide, 35-inch tall tires so that is hard on all of my suspension components. I will never put rubber that big on the front again. Anyway, the steering problem may be getting taken care of. I've been starting it up every hour or so, move the steering wheel and push the brakes, and it seems to feel more normal each time. I need to add a few ounces of fluid each time so it seems to be "burping" the systems for awhile. I did the bleed procedure using my Mityvac but not the flush. That would have been the next thing I'd try to make sure the return lines were free. They look good with no kinks or leaks so I don't see how it would be that.

 

Thanks everyone. I'll let you know when it's back on the road. Have about 4 inches of snow so far to plow!

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On mine, when that happened it was a bad wheel bearing, I could jack the front of mine up and grab the tire at the top and bottom and shake the wheel pretty good.