Power steering problem?

Zoltar · January 5, 2006

GM-Tech let me start off by first saying thanks for being available to answer these questions.

I have a 96 K1500 Suburban. Recently while driving slowly the steering wheel has been jerking to the left. It is not pulling left like a stuck caliper but is jerking quickly several times in quick sucsession. The first occurance was when slowing to approach a red light. I wrote it off as the tires following ruts in the road. But it is now happening alot while stopping and also driving slowly. PS fluid is full, hasn't been changed for a while though. Serpentine belt replaced after problem was first noticed so it appears to not be slippage. Any ideas?

Thanks,

Bruce

GM-Tech · January 5, 2006

This will happen without braking? The only thing I can think of that could possibly have anything to do with it if it's actually the steering would be the spool valve in the gearbox, but I can't say I have ever heard of anything like that.

I don't recall if the '96 had EVO, which varies the effort needed to steer based on road speed. Look at the back of your P.S. pump and if there's a harness plugged into it, you do have this. On these, a bad steering position sensor can cause a similar feel, though it only occurs if you're turning. If the wheel is steady and you're going straight, it shouldn't matter even if the system did hiccup.

Zoltar · January 6, 2006

This will happen without braking? The only thing I can think of that could possibly have anything to do with it if it's actually the steering would be the spool valve in the gearbox, but I can't say I have ever heard of anything like that.

I don't recall if the '96 had EVO, which varies the effort needed to steer based on road speed. Look at the back of your P.S. pump and if there's a harness plugged into it, you do have this. On these, a bad steering position sensor can cause a similar feel, though it only occurs if you're turning. If the wheel is steady and you're going straight, it shouldn't matter even if the system did hiccup.

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It does happen while either going straight or turning. I looked at it just now and only saw two hard lines running from it. Is it possibly something else? I would replace the pump if I thought it would fix the problem, but I dont want to start throwing parts at the problem. Again I appriciate you help.

Thanks,

Bruce

GM-Tech · January 6, 2006

Never heard of anything like your problem, and I don't quite understand how that could happen, so I have no other ideas for you.

Zoltar · January 6, 2006

Never heard of anything like your problem, and I don't quite understand how that could happen, so I have no other ideas for you.

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I always seem to get the weird problems

I'll let you know what it turns out to be.

Thanks

Rick Dorion · January 6, 2006

I had that problem on my 97 K1500. It was the PS box.

Zoltar · January 6, 2006

I had that problem on my 97 K1500. It was the PS box.

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Thanks that was what I was afraid of. They are cheap either I dont suppose.

Zoltar · January 9, 2006

I had that problem on my 97 K1500. It was the PS box.

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The PS box or the pump? How hard was it to replace.

Rick Dorion · January 10, 2006

It was the box and was replaced under warranty.

Zoltar · March 10, 2006

For those of you wondering. I ended up replacing the p/s pump and flushed the system. The jerking sensation reduced in severity dramaticly. It appears that the new fluid cleaned the valve in the p/s box that GM-Tech was refering too in the above post. It is now completely fine. That will be a lesson to me to change my power steering fluid more often.

Thanks for the suggestions

pm26 · March 11, 2006

For those of you wondering. I ended up replacing the p/s pump and flushed the system. The jerking sensation reduced in severity dramaticly. It appears that the new fluid cleaned the valve in the p/s box that GM-Tech was refering too in the above post. It is now completely fine. That will be a lesson to me to change my power steering fluid more often.

Thanks for the suggestions

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This leads me to this question:

Is it necessary to periodically replace the power steering fluid in Silverado trucks? Even the new ones, like '06 models? How often is the replacement recommended?