steering tight

[bajakid2]

hey,my trucks steering is somewhat hard to turn its nothing like my friends 04 silverado..not sure if the 4wd makes a difference??could it be i need to change the fluid??

thanks again for the help-Travis

[Frozen001]

Is this something new?? Or has it always been hard to steer... Do you have stock tires??? Has the truck been services regularly??

[bajakid2]

Hey,its been like this since i bought the truck like a 6months ago(used).yeah its serviced regularly...

Thanks-Travis

[bajakid2]

bump

any ideas???

[rjirvine]

Is it hard to turn both left and right? Is it hard to turn at slow speeds and/or high speeds? Any belt noise or power steering pump groaning? I'd start out by lubing the front end yourself, making sure you get the idler arm zerk that can be a pain (try turning steering wheel all the way to the right before trying) and also the front part of the idler arm which is easier if you drop the front spalsh shield (pretty simple, but makes access a breeze). You can flush the fluid, but I dont know if that would help steering effort per se.

[bajakid2]

its hard to turn both right and left,and at high speeds it perfect..theres no noises at all..ill grease my idler arm right now and see if that solves it..thanks for the help-Travis

[rjirvine]

If it's still really tight, here's a place to start looking:

 

Variable Effort Steering

 

The Electronic Variable Orifice (EVO) system increases or decreases the amount of fluid leaving the power steering pump. This provides the driver with a comfortable balance of steering wheel feel and power assist.

 

At vehicle standstill or at very low speeds, the system allows full hydraulic fluid flow for maximum power assist and reduced steering effort. As the vehicle gains speed, a variable orifice closes at the steering pump which reduces the pump fluid flow. This action provides a stiffer steering wheel response for an improved road feel and a greater directional stability at highway speeds.

 

A sensor mounted on the steering column detects the steering wheel movements associated with defensive driving maneuvers. A control module uses this sensor input and the vehicle speed in order to adjust the amount of current to the solenoid.

 

The EVO system consists of the following components:

 

The EVO solenoid (actuator) is located on the power steering pump discharge fitting.

The module that controls EVO will be located in one of two areas depending on option content:

On vehicles equipped with Real Time Damping (RTD) , EVO is controlled through the Suspension Control Module which is located behind the right rear quarter trim panel.

On vehicles which are not equipped with RTD, EVO is controlled through the Body Control Module which is located under the Instrument Panel, below the steering column.

The steering hand wheel position speed sensor is located in the lower bearing of the steering column.

The vehicle speed sensor is located on the transfer case output shaft.

The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) is located in the engine compartment on the left front inner wheelhouse.

[bajakid2]

Hey,thanks ill check into it...i greased the whole front end..it feels a little smoother it might be in my mind though..ill do a PS fluid flush then go from there..thanks-Travis

[bajakid2]

hey,well now my pump is wining while turning the wheel...im guessing the pump is done for and i need a new one???or could it be an evo sensor...sometimes when im stopped and i turn left it basically groans and whines and is really hard to turn like no power is being put to the steering...not sure though i hope its not another expensive fix..thanks-Travis