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Chevrolet Suburban Power Steering

34 messages,  Last post on Oct 29, 2012 at 9:02 PM

You are in the Chevrolet Suburban & Tahoe Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Tahoe Limited/Z71, Steering, SUV

Messages Page 3 of 4

#15 of 34 Re: Suburban power steering goes light suddenly [paul120] by sharp_1

Jan 19, 2009 (2:57 pm)

Replying to: paul120 (Nov 17, 2008 10:20 am)
I've been having the same problem for about 2 years now on my '02 Suburban. I've also had the hard right turning problem for about the last 3 years and for the last 5 years have been dealing with a seemingly loose steering linkage (feels like a small knock in the wheel when going over small bumps).
 
All of which I have brought to my dealer for diagnostics:
1) The loose linkage was "repacked" with grease about 4 years ago under warranty and came back about a year later after the warranty ran out of course.
 
2) The right turning issue was diagnosed as a bad steering gear which would entail replacing the steering box at a price of well over $1K
 
3) The free feeling wheel I was told is related to the steering gear box. Dealer told me none of the items are safety issues but would cost $$$$'s to repair.
 
So, at 158K miles, I have made the executive decision not to do any steering repairs until either something starts leaking on my squeaky clean garage floor or I hit a tree. We'll see how that goes...so far so good!!!
 
We still love our Suburban by the way...it's by far the best out of the 5 we've had to date.

#16 of 34 Suburban Power steering by dsharpless

Apr 13, 2009 (2:14 pm)

I have '00 burb. While moving power okay lft & rt. Sitting still in driveway at idle, hardly can turn wheel left w\2 hands. Right okay. Pump, Gear, or rack? Or should I remove radiator cap, slide new truck under cap and install cap.
Thanks for any help!

#17 of 34 Re: Suburban Power steering [dsharpless] by kiawah

Apr 13, 2009 (6:48 pm)

Replying to: dsharpless (Apr 13, 2009 2:14 pm)
lol....good one.

#18 of 34 2000 Suburban Power Steering by dsharpless

Apr 14, 2009 (4:27 am)

Edit to posting #16.
Drove vehicle on highway today. Wheel turns right okay, left with very little hangup at highway speeds. when stopped at idle, wheel very hard if at all turning left and turns fine to the right. If u give it throttle while sitting still and turning left the wheel snaps loose and u can turn the wheel. the steering column area inside the vehicle makes a moderate to loud noise while trying to turn left sitting still (like air pressure escaping.) Hope this helps! Thanks for the Help.

#19 of 34 2000 Chev Suburban Steering by dsharpless

Apr 19, 2009 (6:19 am)

Well I thought I'd try something diff and go online and ask for some help diagnosing
something in the car repair world that I haven't fooled with much. This is my 3rd online repair site and no answer from anyone. I guess this world will never change! There is nothing free anymore, not even info. Maybe my wife will hit a tree and I will kill 2 birds with one stone. Don't have to fix power steering and she'll be gone. Damn thats wrong! Have fun all u backyard mechanics..

#20 of 34 2002 Chevey Suburban by nikkita123

Apr 19, 2009 (12:06 pm)

Hi we were leaving church this morning and the power steering just stopped working. There was no warning of any kind. There seemed to be a bit of an alignment issue but nothing sever. When warm the fluid level reads at the cold level not the warm. If there was some power fluid still in the SUV would the power steering just stop working?
Should i go buy more power steering fluid? or would that be a waste of time?

#21 of 34 Re: 2000 Chev Suburban Steering [dsharpless] by dan98982002

Apr 19, 2009 (2:23 pm)

Replying to: dsharpless (Apr 19, 2009 6:19 am)
Did you find out what was wrong I have the same problem with a 2004 burban?

#22 of 34 Re: 2000 Chev Suburban Steering [dan98982002] by dsharpless

Apr 19, 2009 (4:32 pm)

Replying to: dan98982002 (Apr 19, 2009 2:23 pm)
Hey Dan, It does turn one way not the other right! I pretty sure mine needs a steering gear. I read( maybe it was here) if it turns one way or the other then the pump is working. There is an EVO switch on bottom backside of pump and a mechanic told me to unhook the switch and I should have power assist. This is the same mechanic that told it may need a rack. I DON'T HAVE A RACK! He also told me it may need a pump after I told him I replaced the pump yesterday. Ill definitly keep u in mind when I fix mine. I used to do alot of mechanic work but never did much steering, so this one's got me stumped. Oh, unhooking the switch didn't help. The gear is gonna run me $215.00 from pep boys or auto zone here in Annapolis, Maryland.

#23 of 34 Re: 2000 Chev Suburban Steering [dsharpless] by arrie

Apr 21, 2009 (9:53 am)

Replying to: dsharpless (Apr 19, 2009 4:32 pm)
Power steering working in one direction but not in the other means the pump is working, i.e. if the pump is out it does not work in either direction.
 
If you are a hands-on self mechanic like I understand from your post try to disassemble the steering gear if you have time for that. Why I suggest this is that at least in my Tahoe there is some kind of a limit switch built in the gear. When I turn the wheels all the way right or left I hear some sort of a click or pop sound and power steering assistance stops. This obviously is to stop power steering from forcing the steering linkage against the end of travel limits.
 
If this limit switch gets stuck it means that power steering assistance does not work in direction the switch is at.
 
Unfortunately I cannot tell you anything more about this as I have not had any problems with mine.
 
Arrie

#24 of 34 Re: 2000 Chev Suburban Steering [arrie] by dsharpless

Apr 21, 2009 (4:34 pm)

Replying to: arrie (Apr 21, 2009 9:53 am)
Thank you Arrie for getting back to me. Sorry if i sounded like a real ass but I Don't have much patience. I just want to fix it and move on to something more fun. Pretty much ur telling me I need a gear and everything I've read and my suburbans symptoms it all points to gear. My luck if I tear it apart all those little ball bearings will go everywhere around the worm gear. Take Care and Thanks Again!

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