2000 Yukon - Steering binds up at stop

[zoso59brst]

So during the last big snow storm we had here in NJ (3-4 weeks ago-ish), I blew my power steering pump (broken shaft) while trying to un-stuck my Yukon from 2 feet of snow. Replaced the pump and belt (it was a balmy 21 degrees in my driveway... I'm still cold) and all seemed good in the world.

Now, I am encountering a problem where the steering feels like it's binding up while at a stop.. pulling out of parking spaces, turning the wheel while in park etc. I can force it through, but it feels like I'm fighting something that doesn't want to be fought and I'd hate to take out another pump. While in motion, the steering is perfect (as perfect as it ever was anyway) and the assist feels normal.

Any help would be appreciated

thanks,
Pete

2000 Yukon SLT 5.3 4wd


oh, and on a likely unrelated note, my steering wheel occasionally does an excellent Chewbacca impression.. anyone know if there is a grease point?

 

[sumo]

Does it go away if you give it gas or rev it up?

 

[Nappers]

have you rechecked your fluid? I know when I changed my fluid and put in synthetic, I had to top it off a few times after it "settled"

 

[zoso59brst]

Does it go away if you give it gas or rev it up?

I'll check that in a few minutes, but not that I've noticed. The second the truck start rolling though (idling or giving it gas) it frees right up.

---------- Post added at 09:53 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:51 AM ----------

have you rechecked your fluid? I know when I changed my fluid and put in synthetic, I had to top it off a few times after it "settled"

I've checked the fluid a few times since this started and it looks fine, but I'll double check that too.

 

[zoso59brst]

OK, so a few minutes turned in to 11 hours... Fluid level is fine and revving does not help... although the pump does make more noise than I'm used to when revved. There is definitely a strain on the pump.

 

[sumo]

My 89 sierra had this problem. I flushed it and put some fresh fluid in it and all is good now.

 

[zoso59brst]

My 89 sierra had this problem. I flushed it and put some fresh fluid in it and all is good now.

Maybe some air trapped in the system? I'll try to flush it in the morning.

 

[bkboatnsleds]

was it a rebuilt pump? Could the replacement pump be bad?

 

[alacran]

i have the same problem. i replace my bad pump with a new one 3 months ago. the new maked a funny sound (whining noise) when the truck is on. two or three times a month it would make the truck steer to the left goin down the road, i had to take the top off and turn the wheel in both directions for it to work.

now here is the fun part. today away from home i was making a u turn and i almost hit a snow pile. i had to musle the truck into a parking lot to see the pulley had came off the steering pump
what is kinda odd to me is the pulley was put as far back as possible. ill try by replacing the pump i cant help u as i hope u fix ur yukon and fix my hoe today or tmrw.

 

[zoso59brst]

was it a rebuilt pump? Could the replacement pump be bad?

It's a (NAPA Gold) rebuilt cardone with the magna-pure filter built in. Making a bit more noise than I'm used to, so it's unfortunately possible. I hope not.

---------- Post added at 08:22 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:20 AM ----------

now here is the fun part. today away from home i was making a u turn and i almost hit a snow pile. i had to musle the truck into a parking lot to see the pulley had came off the steering pump

Did just the pulley come off or did you break the shaft out of the pump?