Power steering problem

[Stephen Morrison]

2003 Silverado 4x4 ext cab short box

 

We have replaced the pump twice and the power steering gear.

 

Truck seems to drive fine but when stopped there is basically no power steering. 

 

No excessive whine, with weight off the front tires it turns back and forth fine.

 

The last pump was new with resv.  

 

Truck doesn't have any special options.  No sensors on the pump or box.

 

This should be a simple thing but I am stumped.

Edited December 23, 2023 by Stephen Morrison

[richard wysong]

How's the belt? Does revving it up a little help? Possibly a bad hose

[dna9656]

Is your power steering pump involved with your power brakes? Maybe there is clog there? I put a filter on my power steering...

[dna9656]

2 hours ago, richard wysong said:

How's the belt? Does revving it up a little help? Possibly a bad hose

Hey Richard! How are ya?

 

[Stephen Morrison]

5 hours ago, dna9656 said:

Is your power steering pump involved with your power brakes? Maybe there is clog there? I put a filter on my power steering...

No hydro boost, a hose could make sense but I see the fluid moving as we turn the wheel back and forth.  We purged the air with the truck off.

[Stephen Morrison]

7 hours ago, richard wysong said:

How's the belt? Does revving it up a little help? Possibly a bad hose

Belt looks good, no squealing. Only a little power steering growl when lock to lock

[diyer2]

Power steering gear? Do you mean rack and pinion?

I would put a new belt on it.

If it continues rack and pinion bad?

 

At idle its not providing enough pressure is my guess.  

[Stephen Morrison]

45 minutes ago, diyer2 said:

Power steering gear? Do you mean rack and pinion?

I would put a new belt on it.

If it continues rack and pinion bad?

 

At idle its not providing enough pressure is my guess.  

It's 4x4 no rack it's a normal steering gear box. 

[dna9656]

We are all going by exp. here and that's good but what no one is doing is reading a manual, get a Haynes or ck a youtube, something that's accd. to GM, DO THAT and see what results you get.

[Stephen Morrison]

10 minutes ago, dna9656 said:

We are all going by exp. here and that's good but what no one is doing is reading a manual, get a Haynes or ck a youtube, something that's accd. to GM, DO THAT and see what results you get.

I have done the normal steps that don't require special tooling like a pressure gauge.

 

Installed new parts, lifted wheels. Turned lock to lock to get air out. Lower and drive.  I think replacing the lines is a good idea, maybe swollen and not allowing enough fluid through. 

[dna9656]

Guess you better go to a auto parts store that will rent to power steering pressure test kit to you (or go to Harbor Freight and buy one), read the factory instructions on how to bleed the system, and then check for pressure.

[Stephen Morrison]

This seems to be fixed.

 

Removed the return line from the resv capped the resv.

 

Started truck and pumped all the fluid through. Took about 1 to 2 seconds.

 

Removed return line from gear box and used compressed air to confirm line and cooler are clear.

 

Reconnected and bled with wheels off the ground. 

[dna9656]

Good Job!