Steering woes

[Jodiesel]

2003 2500 w/118,000 miles. The pump has been whining for awhile. The last time I drove it (a few months ago) there was no indication of failure. Went to go for a drive and the battery was quite dead, only 3 volts. When I checked the battery, I noticed oil was coming out of the power steering fill tube cap. I started to take the cap off and oil was shooting out. I put the cap on as fast as I could. Next day, replaced the battery and started her. The belt and pulley is turning, but zero steering and no power assist on the brakes. I was able to remove the cap, but the oil level is right under the cap. I assume the steering pump shaft has sheared, as it does not whine either.



What I don't understand though is the oil level being so high. If the pump grenaded as I shut it off a few months ago, I guess the higher level of steering oil in the brake booster is flowing down to the fill tube through the pump?

 

[2003VAAV]

2003 2500 w/118,000 miles. The pump has been whining for awhile. The last time I drove it (a few months ago) there was no indication of failure. Went to go for a drive and the battery was quite dead, only 3 volts. When I checked the battery, I noticed oil was coming out of the power steering fill tube cap. I started to take the cap off and oil was shooting out. I put the cap on as fast as I could. Next day, replaced the battery and started her. The belt and pulley is turning, but zero steering and no power assist on the brakes. I was able to remove the cap, but the oil level is right under the cap. I assume the steering pump shaft has sheared, as it does not whine either.



What I don't understand though is the oil level being so high. If the pump grenaded as I shut it off a few months ago, I guess the higher level of steering oil in the brake booster is flowing down to the fill tube through the pump?

You may want to bleed the pump, that is something that is common, it happened to me but not as bad. Air gets in the pump (maybe from a slow leak in the line(s) and the fluid level goes way up. I would bleed the pump, put in some Lucas Power Steering Fix and see how it goes from there. If you look online, you can find videos of people doing it just by raising front end, remove fill cap, cycle steering left-right 5-10 times and checking level and for air bubbles. Then topping off as needed. However, here is how to do it from the GM service manual:

Bleeding the Power Steering System​

• Tools Required
• J 35555 Metal Mityvac
• J 43485 Power Steering Bleeder Adapter

Important​

Hoses touching the frame, body, or engine may cause system noise.

1. Verify that the hoses do not touch any other part of the vehicle.​

Important​

Loose connections may not leak, but could allow air into the steering system.

1. Verify that all hose connections are tight.
   

   ​

   
   
2. 
   
   

   Notice​

   If the power steering system has been serviced, an accurate fluid level reading cannot be obtained unless air is bled from the steering system. The air in the fluid may cause pump cavitation noise and may cause pump damage over a period of time.
   
   
   

   Important​

   Maintain the fluid level throughout the bleed procedure.
   
   
3. Remove the pump reservoir cap.
4. 
   

   Important​

   Use clean, new power steering fluid only.
   
   
5. Fill the pump reservoir with fluid to the FULL COLD level.
6. Attach the J 43485 to the J 35555 or equivalent.
7. Place the J 43485 on or in the pump reservoir filler neck.
8. Apply a vacuum of 68 kPa (20 in Hg) maximum.
9. Wait 5 minutes.
10. Typical vacuum drop is 7-10 kPa (2-3 in Hg). If the vacuum does not remain steady, refer to Excessive Vacuum Drop Diagnosis at the end of this procedure.
11. Remove the J 43485 and the J 35555 .
12. Reinstall the pump reservoir cap.
13. Start the engine. Allow the engine to idle.
14. Turn off the engine.
15. Verify the fluid level. Repeat steps 11-13 until the fluid stabilizes.
16. 
    

    Important​

    Do not turn steering wheel to lock.
    
    
17. Start the engine. Allow the engine to idle.
18. Turn the steering wheel 180-360 degrees in both directions 5 times.
19. Switch the ignition off.
20. 
    

    Notice​

    When adding fluid or making a complete fluid change, always use the proper power steering fluid. Failure to use the proper fluid will cause hose and seal damage and fluid leaks.
    
    
21. Verify the fluid level.
22. Remove the pump reservoir cap.
23. Attach the J 43485 to the J 35555 or equivalent.
24. Place the J 43485 on or in the pump reservoir filler neck.
25. Apply a vacuum of 68 kPa (20 in Hg) maximum.
26. Wait 5 minutes.
27. Remove the J 43485 and the J 35555 .
28. Verify the fluid level.
29. Reinstall the pump reservoir cap.

Excessive Vacuum Drop Diagnosis​

1. If the vacuum continues to drop, remove the pressure and return hose from the pump.
2. Install the plugs (1,2) supplied with the J 43485 into the pressure and return port.
3. Attach the J 43485 to the J 35555 or equivalent.
4. Place the J 43485 on or in the pump reservoir filler neck.
5. Apply a vacuum of 68 kPa (20 in Hg) maximum.
6. If the vacuum drops again, repair or replace the pump. If the vacuum holds steady, continue to check the other parts of the steering system.
7. 
   

   Important​

   Fluid must be free from bubbles and foam. Be aware of periodic bubbles that indicate a loose connection or leaking O-ring seal in the return hose or the pressure hose.
   Fluid must be free from discoloration.
   
   
8. Observe the fluid.
9. If condition persists, replace the following parts:
   • The return hose clamps
   • The return hose O-rings
   • The pressure hose O-rings
   • The gear cylinder line O-rings
   • The reservoir to pump O-ring
10. Repeat the bleed procedure from the beginning.
11. Drive the vehicle approximately 16 km (10 mi) in order to warm the system to operating temperature. Evaluate vehicle on a smooth flat surface.
12. Verify the following conditions:
    • There is smooth power assist.
    • The vehicle operates quietly.
    • The pump maintains the proper fluid level.
    • There is not any leaking in the steering system.
    • The fluid is free of foam or discoloration.

 

[Jodiesel]

Turned out the pump shaft was not sheared. As you suspected, it had air in the pump. The pump was noisy anyway, so I replaced it with a Cardone reman. What a huge mistake. The supposedly rebuilt pump was very noisy. So I bought a new AC Delco (made in china) unit. I also replaced all the hoses and found a slight leak at the cooler, which may have been how the air got in.

I spent a considerable amount of time bleeding the system before and after running the engine. The new pump didn't make any noise at first. And then the 2nd day it started making a new noise after getting hot from a long drive. The oil level has stayed right at the full cold mark.

 

[ygmn]

Air in the inlet of any hydraulic pump causes Cavitation which is really NOISEY and bad to pump as it ruins body and/or pump gears

Good Fix....

 

[EXT4ME]

Just my personal observations, I had to have the steering box and the p/s pump replaced on my EXT with Hydro-boost brakes several years ago.

My mechanic used a new non ACDelco p/s pump from a local parts store.

Within a year, the p/s pump began to whine a little.

As time went on, the whine got worse and several "additives" were added to the p/s fluid at the direction of my mechanic to address the noise.

Finally, I got tired of the whining and I decided to change out the p/s pump myself.

Not a job I hope to repeat any time soon.

I started by raising the front of the truck and using the method of turning the steering wheel from lock to lock many times, with the engine not running, and with one of the p/s hoses disconnected, all the while adding fresh ACDelco Power Steering fluid to the reservoir.

I did this to completely flush the old p/s fluid and additive soup out of the system.

I then went through the arduous process of removing and replacing the p/s pump.

Once the install was complete, it was a simple matter to once again turn the steering wheel from lock to lock, first with the engine off and then with the engine running, to purge the system.

My new p/s pump has been quiet as a church mouse ever since.

My advice is to only use an ACDelco power steering pump and only use ACDelco power steering fluid with NO additives.

Ever.