Power steering noise

Tech510 · May 18, 2016

Good morning all, I have a question.. I recently purchased a 2016 silverado 2500 hd 6.0l.. at idle, when the truck is warmed up, there's a noise in the steering column..the pitch of the noise changes when turning the steering wheel.. it goes away when driving.. it has a hydro booster.. I took it to the dealer, and they compared it to 2 other 2500's and told me they all do that..

I really like this truck, but this is my only concern and frustration with it.. I was wondering if anyone else has heard this noise, and if it is a normal noise for the hydro boost.. thanks..

Phong Vudu Vu · May 18, 2016

My old 3500HD does that too. I think it is normal.

GMCustomerService · May 19, 2016

Good morning all, I have a question.. I recently purchased a 2016 silverado 2500 hd 6.0l.. at idle, when the truck is warmed up, there's a noise in the steering column..the pitch of the noise changes when turning the steering wheel.. it goes away when driving.. it has a hydro booster.. I took it to the dealer, and they compared it to 2 other 2500's and told me they all do that..

I really like this truck, but this is my only concern and frustration with it.. I was wondering if anyone else has heard this noise, and if it is a normal noise for the hydro boost.. thanks..

Hi Tech510,

Congratulations on your new Silverado! It really is an awesome truck. I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing frustrations with a noise in your steering column. I can understand how frustrating it is to bring home a new truck and have to take it to a dealer shortly after. Would you like me to contact your dealer to provide an extra layer of service? If so, please private message me your VIN, mileage, contact info, and the dealer you are working with.

Best,

Anthony Z.

GM Customer Care

Tech510 · May 20, 2016

Thanks for the reply! This truck is awesome!

Touchdown88 · May 20, 2016

I brought mine back in bc of that same exact noise, they said it was the hydo boost and it was normal, little annoying for me tho but o well, crank the radio lol

SMiller · May 30, 2016

I test drove a new '16 which DOES have a new power steering system and I could not stand the whine, they ran it through service as they also though it had a vacu leak and that something was wrong, when we started all the other '16's they did the same thing.

Tech510 · May 30, 2016

Really, we'll I'm glad you posted because that noise is really annoying and kind of unacceptable.. I've been a mechanic for a long time and never heard such a thing.. glad to at least know they're all like that..

sicviresco · June 25, 2016

I just had my new rig in to the local dealer about this same issue (as well as another). They told me they had contacted GM regarding the noise but they had no resolution for it. I surmised from my discussion with the service manager, they really weren't interested in delving deeply into the problem.

What seems inconceivable to me is the GM engineers would work so hard to soundproof and insulate the cabin against noise, then allow an engine compartment component to negate their efforts. Does that make sense to anyone else?

At idle, my truck is virtually silent in the cabin...except for the steering noise. This is clearly a defect. The logical question becomes, what will GM do to rectify the situation. I have been a loyal GM owner for 30 years, and I love my new truck, but I'm extremely frustrated by this.

sicviresco

2016 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLT

4WD Crew 6.0l

QueenGlamis · June 28, 2016

Very interested in this topic.

I bought a 2016 2500HD Gas truck after having a 2014 1500. The steering was so sloppy and wandered so bad that I refused to drive it. Dealer had the truck 4x in 3 weeks. Their genius fix after 4 times plus 2 other non service visits and hours of conversations in email, phone and texts - too much air in the tires. Wow! It was never right.

Traded it back in - ate some big bucks, and got a 2016 2500HD duramax cc LTZ, my dream truck. ZERO steering issues, wheel was tight and felt as good as my 2014 half ton. Until the 2nd week I had it and the power steering box started leaking terribly- as in puddle on the driveway. Took it to different dealer as the 1st on was horrible- and they had it for a few days.

Thy put me in a compact car loaner and said they couldn't get the part, GM had zero in Stock nationally, and they guessed it was being manufacturered but no ETA. They sealed the leak and gave me the truck back until the part come back in.

So I leave the dealer, guess what? The steering is sloppy. About 2-3 inches I can move the wheel left or right before it is responsive. It wanders and constantly has to be corrected. I move the wheel from 12 to 3 o'clock- the angle indicated on the DIC shows 1degree.

Everyone says "it's impossible" because it's a mechanical system. Until they drive it and they go "oh my I see what you are saying".

Meanwhile I have a 60,000 truck that I worry about driving to work or towing to go camping this weekend while I wait for a power steering box from GM.

VERY frustrating.

Jlf040569 · November 3, 2016

I have had my 2016 Chevy 2500 HD for about 3 weeks now. I heard the noise about 2 weeks after picking it up from the dealer. I took it in last week they had 3 trucks on the lot 2 of the 3 made same noise. So they called me back and said that it is the way it is. Me being irritated by a $50,000 truck sounding horrible. I said that this was unacceptable and that I wanted my money back. The service guy said let me talk to the service manager and see what we can do. They called back and said they have a call into GM design department to see what can be done. About 3 hours later I got a call and the service guy told me that they talked to the engineer from GM design department and he said to change the hydro boost out. When the service guy looked the part number up he noticed that the part number had changed. Which left us both thinking what was wrong with the hydro boost to begin with to change part number. Got my figures crossed. It goes in Monday November 14th 2016. Ill post an update after the work is complete. Mine sounds more like a diesel truck. When it is idling. It's a gasser.

Tech510 · November 11, 2016

Really, part number changed.. Superceded to a possible new hydroboost... with no noise?? Please let us know .. I've been reading posts on the sloppy steering, and I did have that when I picked up the truck.. it had 80 psi in all 4 tires.. I can see that of truck is loaded, fully... but for everyday use not loaded, 65 psi is the way to go.. once I dropped the air pressure, it rode fine over bumps.. night and day difference.. but I'm concerned about the steering now with alot of people talking about the steering play..

Jlf040569 · November 11, 2016

They replaced the hydro booster. Noise was reduced alittle. If heater/AC fan is running on low you can not hear it. Service guy said GM only told them to replace hydro booster cause they had 3 trucks on the lot and 1 out of the 3 didn't make the noise. So basically GM is aware of problem but says is normal. He did say they are trying to find a fix. I doubt they do with 17s coming out. Will be interesting if they make the noise. Steering in mine is fine alittle to no play even before hydro boost being changed.