QuestionHey here's what happened. On Monday the truck went it the shop. They looked it over and I talked to them and they felt that there was something wrong with the pump. Like it was putting out too much pressure. He also felt that it was kinda weird that it made the noises when the fluid has warmed up. As did I. So I got the truck back and swaped in a new cardone pump, put in a new return hose and added a magnefine power steering filter to the return line. So now I'm on my 3rd new pump, new pressure and new return hoses. I turned the wheels to bleed the system for a while never really saw any bubbles. Lowered it to the ground and turned the wheel no real noise so I drove it around for a while and the only time it really made a noise was at a complete stop when I turned the wheels. It also sounded like there was a whine only at higher rpms.
So does this sound like it the gear box thats bad? I don't see signs of fluid leaking anywhere. I called the local GM deal and they said it would cost about $130 just to test the P/S system so I'm just wondering am I better off tossing in a new gear box for $200. My mom is taking the truck back to the non-gm shop in the morning to see what he thinks now, was a real nice guy didn't charge us to look at it last time.
Any new suggestions would be help full.
Seth
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Followup To
Question -
For fluid I've been using mostly Valvoline Max life power steering fluid or Valvoline syn-power. I just spent a good 10-15 mins. With the cap off and engine running, turning the wheels back an forth. I didn't see any full on bubbles but the fluid did stay milky the whole time. I sucked out the fluid in the resivior and added new fluid started it up and went milky. And it got dirty too? My Mom sent an appointment for it on Monday so If you have any more info. I have till monday to try?
Seth
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Followup To
Question -
Hi, A few days ago my mom was driving her 89 Chevy K1500 With 305 when the power steering started to whine. She kept driving it and came streight home. Where I looked at it and it just apeared that the pressure hose came loose at the pump so I got a new pressure hose and a new pump and put it on. Bleed the system like the chevy book said and took it for a test drive. Seemed fine till I got 2 miles from home and it started to whine and steadly got wores. I got it home and it looked just like when my Mom got it home. Fluid blew out at the same spot? Well I started to get stumped. That 2 miles with out fluid blew the seal on the pump so I put a another new pump on and thread locked the pressure fitting at the pump. I just got back from driving it and it has a steady whine to it that does change with RPMs and there might be sounds coming for the gear too. Doesn't look like its leaking now, and is holding fliud full. The truck just got new ball joints, new rod end, new idler arm, and front end aligned about 2 weeks ago. I'm at a loss. does it sound like the gear box has an internal leak or? The chevy book says you need a specail psi gauge to test the steering system and I'm sure thats $100+ so ?
Please help, or my next option is to take it to a shop, which would suck if it cost $70 to find whast wrong when that 70 could go towards a $200 steering gear box rather than both.
Seth
Answer -
When you replaced the pump and added fluid, The pump will naturally whine due to the AIR in the system. Just leave the cap off of the pump and start the engine and leave it at an IDLE SPEED and slowly start turning the steering wheel SLIGHTLY back and forth from right to left for 10 minutes or so and watch to see if you still have small bubbles appearing in the pump. If you DO, Just either leave it sit with the cap OFF or keep turning the wheel for awhile until you see NO MORE BUBBLES.
This is a very common problem trying to get all the air out.
There IS a possibility that you have damaged the seals in the box, But it is RARE.
Make SURE your using the CORRECT type of fluid and getting all the air out can be a pain in the butt.
autohelp
Answer -
OK, If the fluid got DIRTY than you most likely have steering box problems and or one of the hoses is deteriorating inside and contaminating the fluid.
autohelp
AnswerIn the pump where you attach the H/P line there is a large 1" fitting that houses the PRESSURE CONTROL VALVE, Did you remove it and either CLEAN or REPLACE it, Since you stated that the fluid at one time looked DIRTY.
I am interested in your final resolution so please let me know.
autohelp
