[Camaro500]

Hello everyone its been along time since I have been here...still lurk occasionally. My problem is I don't know if my pump is bad and I have read all the posts about it. With the wheels off the ground it turns easily but on the ground you need to be Popeye to turn them. The fluid level is fine and it use to occasionally growl turning the wheels. Drove one day and the very next day it didn't work. I tried to pull the pulley out and it doesn't move very much(not sure if shaft is broken). Now I have the pump out thinking I could see something...nothing looked wrong. What a b*tch to remove with AWD. Any feedback would be great.....I would just drive my camaro but boating season and camping season are coming up. Thanks everyone :banghead: (96 AWD Astro w/hydraboost)

 

[astro355]

Hello,

have you noticed any problems with the braking system?

any shavings in the power steering fluid?

Sometimes those pumps do just break and you won't find a smoking gun.

 

[Camaro500]

The brakes were soft the day I drove it home and I haven't checked the fluid for shavings yet.

 

[astro355]

Ok, check the pump for shavings. And if you replace the pump, you will need to flush out that system BEFORE you install a new pump.

 

[Camaro500]

I really couldn't see any shavings but unfortunately the container that I emptied it into wassn't the cleanest. Most of the fluid ran down the frame and other parts before hitting the bucket. Will the pump spin or feel any different than a good one or are there any other signs to look for. I can change an engine or fab parts but I hate when something isn't obviously broken. I just hate to throw money at something if it isn't broken.....but it would be worse to put it back together and it still not work.

 

[astro355]

I really couldn't see any shavings but unfortunately the container that I emptied it into wassn't the cleanest. Most of the fluid ran down the frame and other parts before hitting the bucket. Will the pump spin or feel any different than a good one or are there any other signs to look for. I can change an engine or fab parts but I hate when something isn't obviously broken. I just hate to throw money at something if it isn't broken.....but it would be worse to put it back together and it still not work.

Sorry, I have no words of wisdom for you. In my experience, power steering pumps just sometimes don't have a telltale sign of a problem. It sucks, I know. The only thing that comes to mind that you could do is put the old on back one and put a pressure gauge in circuit with the pressure line and see if you are getting any pressure to the gearbox.

But odds are that if you are having hard steering issues and you have no external leaks, its the pump.

 

[Camaro500]

Thanks for the help I will most likely replace the pump because it is to much of a hassle to take in and out with the AWD. I envy you guys in the V8 club, because I love my Astro and would V8 it in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, the great state of NY has emission testing and the time and work it would take, takes away from family, boating and camping. My son leaves for the Marines in 2 months and we want to spent as much time as we can with him. He signed for 8 years so this is the last family time we have for a long time..... Thanks again for the help.