Power Steering Noise

[adz55]

I admit, I am somewhat neurotic, I hear every little squeak, rattle, whine, etc. in all of my vehicles and can't get it out of my head. A couple months ago (when the truck had only about 1,000 miles on it) I started noticing a high pitch squeal, similar to a squeaky brake. It was pretty faint, and for a while I couldn't tell where it was coming from. I thought it was the brakes, but I noticed it all of the time, and it had no correlation with my braking. I think I finally figured it out, because it goes away with even a slight turn of the steering wheel. Return back to straight and it's back, continuously.

 

It's driving me crazy.

 

Thankfully this truck is still under warranty, but I know how hard noises can be to track down, even for the dealer mechanics. I'd like to track it down before i take it in and say "this is what's causing it, fix it." instead of "I think I hear a noise...".

 

Any ideas? Is it the pump?

[ken1mod]

Turn up the volume on the stereo.

 

Ken

[adz55]

If it were my blazer that'd be the solution, but this is my first brand new vehicle. I expect better from a brand new truck.

[lerbud]

Mine is making noise when I turn left. I figure its the rack and pinion.

[bgrif005]

sorry this is late, but sounds like the PS pump.....no fix.

[2000DV4.8]

Can't help you out, but that K5 is fuggin sweet! Got any more pictures of it?

[adz55]

Thanks for the compliments on the K5. I love it.

 

On another note; I took it in about 9 months ago and they said that there was a TSB relating to this problem but no fix was listed yet. They told me to keep asking. I took it in again today, easily reproduced the sound (it's been getting louder), and they are now replacing my rack/pinion (steering gear) under warranty, and possibly the pump as well. I'll let you know.

[adz55]

Update: got my truck back after they swapped out the rack and it's still making the whistling sound just like before. I think it's something to do with the bypass in the pump. I called the dealer and they said they'd note it and to mention it the next time I bring it in.

[AnonEMoose]

Update: got my truck back after they swapped out the rack and it's still making the whistling sound just like before. I think it's something to do with the bypass in the pump. I called the dealer and they said they'd note it and to mention it the next time I bring it in.

 

 

Isn't it annoying how you take your vehicle to the dealer thinking they know what they're doing and when they're done, the problem is still there? Maybe not such a big deal to you right now, but wait until it happens to you when you go in there when your truck is out-of-warranty. They could say, "we think it's the power steering pump" and you go and let them replace it and then $500 later (for a $100 item), the whine is still there. I think if a dealer (or anyone) who is getting paid to fix a problem and they put parts on your vehicle and it doesn't fix the problem, you shouldn't have to pay for that.