1st problem with the '02

Frank S · December 28, 2004

I guess the Hydro Boost system has something screwed up with it because there is no hydraulic assist to the steering or brakes. Kind of a PITA trying to stop or turn it right now as you all can imagine.

Anyway, I'm finding this was not uncommon on '01-'02 models and there is a recall on it for '03-'04 so I'm hoping I can get them to cover it under a recall even though this truck is an '02. If not we have a warranty but this really should be fixed on GM's dime IMO.

99silveradoz71 · December 28, 2004

Good luck and hopefully they hook you up

GMCTech · December 28, 2004

To get the hydro-boost system "unstuck" push the brake pedal REAL hard while turning as best you can in a prking lot or large space.

GM is not sure exactly what is hanging up but their best guess is that one of the valves in the hydro-boost is sticking. (I have replaced 2 hydro-boost units due to the same thing as you are explaining per GM Technical assistance)

GMTAC hads no other cases on file, so the hydro-boost replacement was their best guess. - We ahve had two other vehicles that have displayed the same exact characteristics, and we have performed the above procedure (hard braking), and those are doing fine (one has been in the field over a year since the "repair".

I'd have your dealer replace the hydro-boost, but not until after they start a case with GMTAC (tech. assist.) If TAC has enough cases they will work harder to come up with a true fix.

Hope this helps.

2001 HD · December 28, 2004

Those are the exact symtoms of a sheared power steering pump shaft as well. The shaft shears inside the pump body and you can't see it. Don't overlook this in your diagnosis. It's not a common problem, but a few people have had this happen. Good luck.

Frank S · December 28, 2004

Yeah I've read both of those diagnosis over on TDP and figured I'd just let GM deal with it. One way or the other, they'll be responsible for fixing it but i'm getting tired at some of the rinky dink problems that the current GM vehicles come up with.

GM-Tech · December 28, 2004

Those are the exact symtoms of a sheared power steering pump shaft as well. The shaft shears inside the pump body and you can't see it. Don't overlook this in your diagnosis. It's not a common problem, but a few people have had this happen. Good luck.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

2002 HD is mostly right but I have to disagree in that it IS a common problem! We see 'em all the time in the dealership.

Go out and pull on your power steering pully and you'll probably see that it will slide out of the pump. The belt may fight you a bit, but the pulley should move if this is the problem.

WileE1 · December 29, 2004

My 01 is starting to have some kind of problem like this also....never with the brakes but the power stearing sometimes goes out intermitently...only in left hand turns I think while moving super slow. The tech at the shop can't ever get it to do it but never fails if I am in a position where I have to crank it hard at a slow movement or stop it acts like it has no power but then it quits and acts normal.

Frank S · December 29, 2004

Well, ours is at the stealership right now being looked at so I'll let you know what's up when we get it back. Seeing as how your problem seems to be somewhat sporadic, I'd tend to think it was valve related instead of the actual shaft. Seems like something may be moving around and restricting flow or preventing valve function when you turn left.

Hopefully it will be out tomorrow so I'll make sure to update you all.

Frank S · December 31, 2004

Well, naturally the stealership couldn't duplicate the problem so it has to have been the valve stuck and it must have freed its self when loaded or unloaded off of the tow truck.

This irritates me because I have no choice but to let my wife drive my truck now for a while because I'd have enough trouble trying to control this big bastage if the system blinks again and there's no way that she could do it. I guess I'll be Dmaxing it for a while and ditching this freaking thing sometime next year because I don't need to have 2 vehicles when I can only trust here with one, that being the lesser of the two passenger capacity wise.