Jump to content

How Many Here

pm26

Recommended Posts

pm26 Senior Enthusiast

pm26

Posted
Posted

A while ago someone posted a tech bulletin about flushing the steering system and replacing the existing fluid with Valvoline synthetic power steering fluid. This bulletin was meant for the NBS '07+ trucks. My local Chevy dealer told me that they had pretty good luck quieting down noisy power steering pumps by doing the system flush and fluid replacement.

 

Does this also apply to '06 and older trucks? I have a faint power steering pump whine that comes and goes. Lately it disappeared for several weeks and has not come back yet. Is this flush worth trying? Could it possibly harm anything? Do dealers use a machine to do this with ? Is the noise due to a pump design defect, like sticking flow control valve inside the pump? Why would synthetic fluid make the pump quieter?

 

This power steering pump whine is obviously a common issue on these trucks. I wonder if they redesigned the power steering pump for the '07+ NBS trucks.

 

Any insight into this will be appreciated.

Zembonez Senior Enthusiast

Zembonez

Posted
Posted

I'm guilty of never ever changing fluid in any power steering system on any vehicle that I have ever owned.

 

BUT

 

I do run Lucas additive in my company sled Explorer PS pump and it did quieten it substantially. At about 100K it was starting to get noisy. The additive quietened it and I am now approaching 150K so it must have done something positive. Not exactly what you were asking Pete, but related.

Wingnut Senior Enthusiast

Wingnut

Posted
Posted
I've got Dextron III transmission fluid in mine.

 

I have never changed mine in my life.

 

 

Me neither (except when repairing/replacing stuff). But the GTO actually specifies the stuff.

Z45 Senior Enthusiast

Z45

Posted
Posted

I recently changed the PS fluid on my 2008 to Amsoil Synthetic PS fluid. The steering seemed sluggish during a recent cold spell (0°) and the new fluid seems to work better. I now have synthetic in everything on the truck.

 

I took a suction gun (<$20) and removed the existing fluid from the reservoir, drove it for a week and did it again.

 

I know GM has or had 2 versions of the PS fluids, one for normal and one for use in cold climates.

dlstewart01 Senior Enthusiast

dlstewart01

Posted
Posted

I changed mine out with Valvoline Max Life. It has seal conditioners and stop leak in it. Seems to be working good. Had no problems. Put the same stuff in my wifes Buick. She had a slight leak. Seems to have stoped it. I havn't had to add any fluid lately.

 

Merry Christmas, :drool:

 

Don

Outbacker Enthusiast

Outbacker

Posted
Posted
A while ago someone posted a tech bulletin about flushing the steering system and replacing the existing fluid with Valvoline synthetic power steering fluid. This bulletin was meant for the NBS '07+ trucks.

 

I did a search and could not find the bulletin, but if someone does know where it is, can you point me in the right direction? Thanks.

 

This is quite interesting. Is there any other benefits besides quieting the system down? And I suppose better response in colder temps is another advantage. I confess that I have never changed out my fluid either. Is a full flush required, or just remove what is in the reservoir and fill it up with synthetic SF?

 

Thanks again.

  • 1 month later...
mooman New Member

mooman

Posted
Posted

I had the dealer do this as a result of a "Whine" in the steering.

It did not work. Found out it was the steering box.

Now a year later.....the power steering pump looks like it's leaking from the front by the pulley. Anybody change one before on a 04?

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • CNH-320
      Electrical Problem - solved

      By CNH-320 · Posted

      Hey everyone, I recently had an issue with my 07 2500HD GMT900. My DRL’s stay on at all times. Right front turn and right mirror turn signal indicator stay on solid at all times. By “at all times” I mean the only way to make them go off is disconnecting the battery. I tore the headlight assemblies out, tried disconnecting the harnesses to eliminate bad wiring at the harness, I unplugged the headlight switch, no change and the mirror turn signal still stayed on. My first thoughts were : Bad bulb and/or socket somewhere, under hood fuse panel bad, bcm bad, tail light or trailer wiring problem, or some random short to power in the harness.  Possibly a bad ground but unlikely. I had a big clue in the fuse panel, it had a burnt smell. I started pulling every fuse that had to do with DRL or right turn/park lamp. Nothing made the right directional turn off but pulling the DRL2 fuse made the DRL’s go out.  After studying wiring diagrams, I found that both problems had that fuse panel in common, the bcm also controls both problems but knowing the fuse panel had a burnt smell I removed and disassembled the fuse panel and found a little corrosion on the printed circuit board.  I ordered a new fuse panel from Amazon for like $260. When it arrived I installed it, and put everything back together, the problem was fixed. I figured the fuse panel needed to be replaced anyway so that was a logical place to start. Hopefully this story helps someone in the future. Regretfully I didn’t scan for codes before I did everything.
    • 2022LtTbZ71
      Service 4wd, ESC light, traction control light on, Service charging system (vehicle may stall)

      By 2022LtTbZ71 · Posted

      That stinks. I’m sitting on the side of the road right now with the same issue. Never had an issue before taking it in for the ground strap recall. Now I’m outside of warranty and they’ll probably want $200 just to diagnose what they already “fixed”. 
    • jagabom (Esquire)
      Passenger seat

      By jagabom (Esquire) · Posted

      I wonder kind of nuts and bolts they will come up with next? Jim
    • OnTheReel
      The Peckish Synapse

      By OnTheReel · Posted

      “It should be recognized, however, that there becomes a point where fuel economy oils do not make much economic sense for the end consumer—we talk about a fuel saving of ~€100 compared to a risk of €1000 Euros if the oil is too thin and causes increased engine wear rates. However, the benefit of these oils accrues to the car manufacturers. If their vehicles can save 1–2% fuel by using a special fuel economy lubricant, then that OEM can drastically reduce the amount of fines they need to pay.”   I liked this and the following paragraph as well but it’s really only touching the beginning of the benefits OEMs see from spec’ing these oils. After you factor in “out of warranty” service work and new car sales when these engines fail before their time, it’s a good racket for them. Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you!
    • Atlas
      The Peckish Synapse

      By Atlas · Posted

      Too much voodoo and snake oil.   Time to go EV    😉

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...