Weird Feel To Power Steering

Snow White · February 8, 2011

with all this snow and bad weather i dropped the psi down up front to like 30, i don't think this is the problem but it is revealing a problem i couldn't feel at 45 psi. when i put light pressure to turn the wheel at idle or just off idle, you can feel the pump like skipping or moaning in the steering wheel trying to pump fluid.

no noise, but it's a bad feel in the wheel... service manager at first didn't agree but he turned the wheel right/left too fast. i told him just put some pressure on it, you'll feel it! sure enough he said yep, something isn't right.

could it be just low fluid? truck is hot so i couldn't check it, do you check p/s fluid with truck running by the way?

feels like the rack is going out to me or the pump is broken some how,

thoughts?

kdixer · February 8, 2011

Check the power steering with the engine off. There is a hot and cool range on the dipstick. You can check it anytime as long as the engine is not running.

MikeNH · February 8, 2011

Why are you running the tires at 45 psi? That seems real high for a half ton.

Snow White · February 8, 2011

I'll have to check the manual tomorrow to see what kind of fluid it takes... if it needs fluid. I'm not really savvy with these components but it feels like it's pumping the fluid in a very chunky way, like it's pumping Campbell dinty moor stew, lol.

Snow White · February 10, 2011

Went to the dealer on my way to work this morning because, in all honesty that dipstick is nearly impossible to read being black. I could hardly tell if it was wet or not and the dealer agreed that dipstick is horrible....

well the fluid when it was HOT was barely touching the dipstick so they put quite a bit of fluid in it. feels much better but it still doesn't feel right and when i started it this afternoon it was whistling which was really weird, too much fluid????

Snow White · February 12, 2011

dealer said the fluid was not in horrible shape (at 30,000 miles fyi) but it wasn't good.... so i took the 112 dollar recommendation and did the flush because in 6,000 miles it's off warranty and this should prevent at $600 dollar or whatever it is, problem.

I also got a price on the 4x4 service (transfer case, front rear diffs, & tranny fluids)

steering already feels better with the new fluid but service mngr said it'll take a while for it to get that slight chunk feel out while the synthetic fluid and additives do their thing.

First time i've ever had a power steering issue on a gm vehicle.

sonjaab · February 12, 2011

It could possibly be the EVO sensor...................

If bad there is high steering turning effort. There is a TSB on it.

Did you check your steering rack for leaks?

My 07 2500 gmt-900 had a leaking steering rack. Replaced under

warranty. I also had the EVO sensor issue !

Snow White · February 13, 2011

no leaks... dealer inspected it and pressure tested it. i'm hoping it was just a fluid issue.

Sir Dan · February 14, 2011

Sounds like maybe your belt is slipping? Not a common problem w/ serpentine belts tho... I've had the rack replaced on mine twice under warranty. Both times it was because of leakage on the rack body itself. The steering always worked fine, just had the leaks but I can see where if the fluid were low you would have performance issues also. I would keep a close eye for leaks and crawl under to check the bottom of the rack often. My leaks weren't that obvious but I'm meticulous about maintenance and spend lots of time under there.

Sir Dan · February 14, 2011

It could possibly be the EVO sensor...................
If bad there is high steering turning effort. There is a TSB on it.

Did you check your steering rack for leaks?

My 07 2500 gmt-900 had a leaking steering rack. Replaced under

warranty. I also had the EVO sensor issue !

The 3/4 tons don't have rack and pinion steering do they? I think it's just on the 1/2 tons. My dads 07 2500 has the old recirculating ball type of steering box.