Heavy steering

[mudpie]

The steering in my truck has gotten really heavy at low speed. If I'm in a parking lot, I've got to drive one foot on the gas and one on the brake to rev it up a little so I can turn without hitting anybody. I'm assuming my pump is going bad?

I recently took apart the PS pump in my Subaru and fixed a leak with a re-seal kit, so I'm thinking I'd try the same thing in the truck. There is a re-seal kit available, but the Chevy isn't leaking, so I'm not sure if that kit is going to fix my problem. I may be comparing apples to oranges.

Will a re-seal kit fix what I assume is low pressure output from the pump?
Thanks

1996 C2500HD 5.7

 

[454cid]

I don't have an answer for you, but I'm interested in hearing how this turns out. Does this truck have EVO? I can never remember the first year for it.

What's the fluid look like?

 

[mudpie]

Fluid looks good, but it was a little low a few weeks ago and I topped it off. I park on concrete, and there's no spots on the ground, so I don't think being low was due to a leak of any substantial size. In hindsight, I think that's the first time I've put fluid in it in the 3+ years I've owned it.

I'm not really a Chevy guy, just happen to own a Chevy truck, so enlighten me...EVO? Extra Variable....something? Emissions Viscosity Oscillation? Is that something you need a left handed swivel wrench to fix?

I found one post where somebody was asking about rebuilding the PS pump, but there were no responses, just the initial post. I have a theory though...my Subaru PS pump is notorious for leaking, costs $180, and the kit is $20. On the other hand, this GM pump doesn't seem to have the same leak problem, and you can find a rebuilt unit for about $35. So, so maybe nobody bothers with the hassle of taking it apart to fix it.

 

[Schurkey]

"I" would look at
1. Tire pressure.
2. Accessory drive belt condition and tension (including tensioner condition)
3. The pressure relief valve screwed into the back of the PS pump. If that got some grit in it, you'd lose a bunch of pressure...and there could be nothing wrong with the pump.
4. PS hose condition
5. Evidence of restriction in the PS cooler (which might be nothing more than a piece of tubing wound back-and-forth in the driver's side framerail behind the bumper.

 

[T-Bone]

The first year for the EVO sensor was 97 I do believe

 

[swb charlie]

And so what does EVO stand for? just curious.

 

[Oldblue98]

And so what does EVO stand for? just curious.

E.V.O. stands for Electronically Variable Orifice. This component is controlled by an electronic control module that reduces fluid pressure from the power steering pump to the steering gear at highway speeds. Improved high speed handling and road feel is the result.

 

[randy fabian]

Also called variable assist

 

[mudpie]

"I" would look at
1. Tire pressure.
2. Accessory drive belt condition and tension (including tensioner condition)
3. The pressure relief valve screwed into the back of the PS pump. If that got some grit in it, you'd lose a bunch of pressure...and there could be nothing wrong with the pump.
4. PS hose condition
5. Evidence of restriction in the PS cooler (which might be nothing more than a piece of tubing wound back-and-forth in the driver's side framerail behind the bumper.

Checked the easy stuff (1, 2, 4) and didn't find any issues. I'll check the relief valve and maybe blow out the cooler when I have time to drain the fluid, which will probably be when I'm ready to put in the re-seal kit.

 

[evilunclegrimace]

Check your steering components also. Make sure that you don't have a frozen Ball joint, tie rod end, idler arm or a bad Pitman arm joint.