Successful repair, nice!

[scottg918514]

If you are like me, and do most repairs yourself, the biggest hurdle is often knowing what to fix. Often it is a trial and error effort.

Last week, my power steering stopped working, but only when turning right. After researching the issue, if concluded that the power steering pump either works or it doesn't and so the problem was probably with the steering box itself. I got a reman box for $380 (-$180 core) and a new pitman arm ( was taking the old one off anyway).

I installed both (not without it's challenges) and problem solved and steering is better than ever. Nice to fix issue first time.

I got an alignment to get the steering wheel centered and now good to go.

So, if you have a similar issue with your pwr steering, you know the problem.

 

[Alex33]

Thanks for the heads up

 

[ATL]

mine whines when i turn left, i might have to do this before long. looks to be a fairly easy job, only thing im not sure about is bleeding the fluid. did u do anything other than just top off the fluid afterwards?

 

[scottg918514]

mine whines when i turn left, i might have to do this before long. looks to be a fairly easy job, only thing im not sure about is bleeding the fluid. did u do anything other than just top off the fluid afterwards?

Mine whined turning left too. I replaced tie rod end and cv axle on left side. Then whine was better, but still there. Now with new steering gear, whine is gone.

Bleeding pwr steering is easy. Top off, leave cap off and turn on engine. Then turn steering back and forth a few times (not to stops). Top off again, put on cap and drive around to get temp up, then re-check level.

 

[NC_John]

I got a reman box for $380 (-$180 core) and a new pitman arm ( was taking the old one off anyway).

I installed both (not without it's challenges) and problem solved and steering is better than ever.

I don't know what kind of miles you've got on your 'hoe but did it tighten up the wheel (steering response). Mines got 216K now and the steering feels a bit "loose." Especially in a crosswind- it wanders all over the interstate like it has a sail on the roof.

I don't know if its just crappy GM design or if its worn. Maybe both? I can't remember what driving one with low miles was like....

 

[taylorjm]

Mine would whine when I turned left or right, and sometimes when I was just going straight. I found the problem only occurred when the wife was in the truck.

 

[NC_John]

Mine would whine when I turned left or right, and sometimes when I was just going straight. I found the problem only occurred when the wife was in the truck.

what does your wife weigh? (sorry, couldn't resist)

 

[taylorjm]

what does your wife weigh? (sorry, couldn't resist)

lol, I don't think she's over the 800lb cargo capacity limit.

 

[NC_John]

lol, I don't think she's over the 800lb cargo capacity limit.

I hoped not but it had to be asked! I know my wife would beat the crap out of me if I suggested her weight was affecting the handling characteristics or performance of the truck. I probably wouldn't get any for a while. A LONG while....

 

[taylorjm]

The only way i wouldn't get any is if she broke my hands...