Chevy power steering

[kevincook]

Hello everyone,

I have a 1998 Chevy van and the power steering broke last night. It happened all of a sudden and it is not leaking anywhere and the fluid level is correct.

How do I diagnose the problem? Can I determine if it is a problem with the pump or with the steering box? Did I break the pump shaft? Did I blow a seal or valve? I don't hear the pressure relief valve making any noise so it isn't that.

Is there another website forum that would be better for this type of question?

Thanks for the help.
Kevin


BTW, it drive much better on the highway now than when the power steering was working /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

90% probability it's the pump.
Now, for the bad news, Special tools are required to change the pully over to the new pump.

 

[kevincook]

Thanks, Franz

One of the guys I work with just walked out of my office 2 minutes ago and told me he had the tools for changing the pulley.

Any idea on how to determine if it is the pump?

Thanks,
Kevin

 

[Inspector507]

Franz............Once I beat on and cussed at a Ford pulley for 2 days. Then I took the pump to a mechanic (with the right tools) and he had it off in 10 mins /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

Jerry

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I bet on the pump because it usually is the #%$^&%pump.
Failures in the steering box usually manifest themselves in leaks first. GM pumps tend to crap out suddenly and with no warning. Since you can still drive without power steering that too is a good indication its the pump. Driving is fairly easy, but parking is a bi%@#.
You could always loosen the pressure fitting and see how much oil squirts out, assuming you have stock in Kittl Litter Co just to confirm.
I didn't even warn you how much fun you'll have getting the %#@&(lines off & back on.

 

[Egon]

Golly; I drive a General Motors car that does not have power steering nor would I wish it on this car.

Egon

 

[kevincook]

Just an update. The pump shaft broke. I put in a new pump and everything is back to normal. Several people have told me that this is a common failure on the GM pumps. Anyway $50 and I'm set to go. Thanks for the help everyone.

Kevin