Power Steering Pump Issues?

Sandhopper · December 31, 2006

I have a 2004 Silverado 1500 crew. I am having intermittent trouble (the steering wheel is very hard to turn) with what I think might be the power steering system. I notice this mostly at low speed or turning the wheels before the truck is moving. I have had the truck to my local dealer and received the comment "Nature of the Beast". Not real satisfied with this answer since the truck has 35K and is about to come out of warranty. Has anyone else encountered this issue? Makes backing my trailers an upper body workout.

Mr. Smith · December 31, 2006

I have a 2004 Silverado 1500 crew. I am having intermittent trouble (the steering wheel is very hard to turn) with what I think might be the power steering system. I notice this mostly at low speed or turning the wheels before the truck is moving. I have had the truck to my local dealer and received the comment "Nature of the Beast". Not real satisfied with this answer since the truck has 35K and is about to come out of warranty. Has anyone else encountered this issue? Makes backing my trailers an upper body workout.

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That's not right, period. Take it to another dealer as you should have power assist at low speed. Some dealers/mechanics are just tools, that is the nature of the beast.

95Sierra2500 · December 31, 2006

If you have problems turning at low speeds or stopped, then it's definately something wrong with the power steering system. What, I'm not exactly sure (probably the pump, or some kind of blockage). I'd follow the advice of take it to another dealer.

rjirvine · December 31, 2006

I know I'm just stating the obvious here, but here goes:

A. how's the fluid level in the reservoir?

B. Any kinks in the lines from the pump to the steering box?

C. Have you lubed the front end recently? (tip-it's easier to get to the top if the idler arm bracket if you remove the two front splash shield bolts and swing it down, and easier to get the top of the arm itself if you turn the steering all the way to the right...not sure on the 2004, but on my 2000 it works like a charm)

D. Any possibility of a slipping belt on the pump pulley?

E. You can try and get any air out of the system by jacking up the front end and turning the wheel slowly from stop to stop several times with the engine running. This may also help you isolate exactly when/where its binding.

I tried looking on at my ALLData site for the Variable Effort Steering system (EVO), but it only talks about trucks up to the 2003 year. I know the sensor can go bad (it's on your steering column), but not sure if they changed the design for 2004. After that, it talks about testing the steering box with special test equipment.

Hope this helps.

Sandhopper · January 1, 2007

I know I'm just stating the obvious here, but here goes:

A. how's the fluid level in the reservoir?

B. Any kinks in the lines from the pump to the steering box?

C. Have you lubed the front end recently? (tip-it's easier to get to the top if the idler arm bracket if you remove the two front splash shield bolts and swing it down, and easier to get the top of the arm itself if you turn the steering all the way to the right...not sure on the 2004, but on my 2000 it works like a charm)

D. Any possibility of a slipping belt on the pump pulley?

E. You can try and get any air out of the system by jacking up the front end and turning the wheel slowly from stop to stop several times with the engine running. This may also help you isolate exactly when/where its binding.

I tried looking on at my ALLData site for the Variable Effort Steering system (EVO), but it only talks about trucks up to the 2003 year. I know the sensor can go bad (it's on your steering column), but not sure if they changed the design for 2004. After that, it talks about testing the steering box with special test equipment.

Hope this helps.

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Sandhopper · January 1, 2007

I know I'm just stating the obvious here, but here goes:

A. how's the fluid level in the reservoir?

B. Any kinks in the lines from the pump to the steering box?

C. Have you lubed the front end recently? (tip-it's easier to get to the top if the idler arm bracket if you remove the two front splash shield bolts and swing it down, and easier to get the top of the arm itself if you turn the steering all the way to the right...not sure on the 2004, but on my 2000 it works like a charm)

D. Any possibility of a slipping belt on the pump pulley?

E. You can try and get any air out of the system by jacking up the front end and turning the wheel slowly from stop to stop several times with the engine running. This may also help you isolate exactly when/where its binding.

I tried looking on at my ALLData site for the Variable Effort Steering system (EVO), but it only talks about trucks up to the 2003 year. I know the sensor can go bad (it's on your steering column), but not sure if they changed the design for 2004. After that, it talks about testing the steering box with special test equipment.

Hope this helps.

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A: Fluid Levels is good. The dealer also said that they had flushed and bled the power steering system.

B: No Kinks to be seen

C: Front end gets lubed every 3K. Thanks for the tip that upper fitting is a bugger.

D: I have not heard any squeals or vibrations from the engine compartment. Belt seems tight.

E: Just bled out by Dealer but I will try you suggestion.

I think I am going to take the advise of trying a different dealer. Thanks for the suggestions.

alvocado · January 4, 2007

I have a 2004 Silverado 1500 crew. I am having intermittent trouble (the steering wheel is very hard to turn) with what I think might be the power steering system. I notice this mostly at low speed or turning the wheels before the truck is moving. I have had the truck to my local dealer and received the comment "Nature of the Beast". Not real satisfied with this answer since the truck has 35K and is about to come out of warranty. Has anyone else encountered this issue? Makes backing my trailers an upper body workout.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Possibly related to the actuator valve. Check this out:

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=47297

wages999 · January 4, 2007

My '04 does the same thing. I got the "could not duplicate the concern" response from the dealer. It is amazing how dealerships act like they know nothing about technical bulletins issued for their vehicles.

spock · January 5, 2007

My '04 does the same thing. I got the "could not duplicate the concern" response from the dealer. It is amazing how dealerships act like they know nothing about technical bulletins issued for their vehicles.

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I think I have the same issue with my '04 . i want to try replacing the actuator valve in the P/S pump. Can any techs or someone post a brief procedure for doing this? I don't have a service manual and I'm out of warranty and don't want to trash my pump. Thanks.

Sandhopper · January 6, 2007

My '04 does the same thing. I got the "could not duplicate the concern" response from the dealer. It is amazing how dealerships act like they know nothing about technical bulletins issued for their vehicles.

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Thanks guys... At least I am not imagining things. I have trouble consistantly duplicating the issue my self so I think I will be lucky if during my next service (next week at another dealer) turns anything up. Thanks for the posting I will check that out now and keep this thread posted as I get more info.

Sandhopper · January 13, 2007

Looks like the second dealer was the charm... When I took the truck in I was very upfront and let them know how the previous dealer responded to my steering issue. The most fortunate part was that they felt the condition right off the bat. When they looked up bulletins on my truck, they found TSB #05-02-32-008A which advises of replacing my 670 gearbox with a 680 gear box which "may increase customer satisfaction". It has been about five days and I have not been able to reproduce the condition at all. By the way the new steering box looks to be much more substantial then the old box. I guess time will tell if this was a permanent fix, I have my fingers crossed. The second dealer also took care of a pass. side front axle seal leak while they were under there... I think the second dealer has earned my future business.

My Pics

Rolandd · January 13, 2007

Can anyone comment on the difference between these two steering boxes ("670" and "680")? I have a similar issue intermittently in my 05-Z71. I usually find that if I take my foot off the brake it helps, but that is just because there is less resistance if the front wheel can turn while being steered.

Sandhopper · January 13, 2007

Can anyone comment on the difference between these two steering boxes ("670" and "680")? I have a similar issue intermittently in my 05-Z71. I usually find that if I take my foot off the brake it helps, but that is just because there is less resistance if the front wheel can turn while being steered.

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I am not aware of the Specifics but the overall size of the box is larger. Just guessing here but maybe from the HDs? We will see if this takes care of the problem... So far so good.

Sandhopper · February 3, 2007

Can anyone comment on the difference between these two steering boxes ("670" and "680")? I have a similar issue intermittently in my 05-Z71. I usually find that if I take my foot off the brake it helps, but that is just because there is less resistance if the front wheel can turn while being steered.

It has been almost one month and 1000 miles now since the dealership swapped out the steering box. I have not had one issue with the steering. Looks like this was my problem. Good luck, you may want to have a dealer look at your gear box as well. I am now out of warranty so I am on my own from here out.

CapitalTruck · February 5, 2007

Man, isn't it nice to find a nice dealer who wants your business? Not that "cannot duplicate" crap that comes up so much. I took my truck back to the dealership where I bought it. Man, they didn't do anything I asked them about. Took it to a second dealership...agreed with the problem right off the bat, fixed it no problem. That is what I like to see.