Need help with the chore pickup

notjustair

Well-known Member
2001 Chevy 2500 4x4 gas engine automatic - 195,000 miles. I drove it yesterday and it was fine. Today I had hired help drive it. He followed me from the barnyard across the road. Maybe 1000 feet.

When we got to the shed he said that he thought that was one tough steering and braking old truck. I got in it to hook up a trailer - no power steering or brakes. They both have plenty of fluid. The engine runs fine so there probably isn't any vacuum leak (like to the brake booster). The steering pump isn't making any odd noises. The two systems aren't even related! The steering is purely mechanical. So how can they both fail at the same time? Overnight!
 
I don't remember where you are from...but could be water/moisture in the line and could be freezing up during this cold spell??????
 
It wasn't below freezing today. Cold, but not freezing. I was just reading online that apparently folks have had the power steering pump shaft break internally causing this. I still don't get how the steering and brakes are related. It's happened to other folks, though. I guess after 200,000 miles it's entitled to a breakage every so often.
 
I believe you may have a hydro brake system,they use the P/S pump for brake boost.
 
the systems are related. In my '00 Chevy manuel transmission 2500, the power steering fluid leaked out & while trying to turn the steering wheel, if you step on the brakes you will feel the brake pedal surging, pushing your foot back up. From on top of the master cylinder you will see two lines coming out, one to the right & one to the left. If you trace the left one down you will see it goes to the bottom of the power steering pump. In my 2001 chevy 2500 auto transmission, the setup is identical.
 
notjustair- Well, easy to tell if the internal shaft is broken...just open the cap to the reservoir and start her up. It should sling power steering fluid pretty quick! LOL! BTW, Have somebody in the cab ready to shut it down quickly.
 
The power steering pump is also the booster for the brakes on a 3/4 ton, Also on my f-600 dump truck. 1/2 ton's are boosted by vacuum. Learned that last spring when the line going from the master cylinder to the power steering pump separated inside, wasn't leaking externally but would make a loud noise until I stepped on the brakes.
 
Well, there's my "tell". I had it idling and pulled the PS cap off. No squirt. No turbulence.

Looks like I am off to Napa. Unfortunately, I've found that once one thing goes in the power steering the others are sure to follow. I think they can't handle the pressure of a new pump on old seals. Here we go.
 
"I've found that once one thing goes in the power steering the others are sure to follow. I think they can't handle the pressure of a new pump on old seals."

WOW, just WOW!
 
(quoted from post at 11:35:58 11/22/15) Well, there's my "tell". I had it idling and pulled the PS cap off. No squirt. No turbulence.

Looks like I am off to Napa. Unfortunately, I've found that once one thing goes in the power steering the others are sure to follow. I think they can't handle the pressure of a new pump on old seals. Here we go.

If it has a defective pump make sure the one you receive is not worn out also... I prefer a new pump from GM. If you get a rebuilt pump :evil: hold the pump in a vice are stationary and check the pump shaft for ware side to side in all directions "side to side not in and out". I have had to order up all the pumps in town and from there stock in there ware houses to find one I would accept... You do not need to install the pulley use the pulley insulation tool are a long bolt on/in the pump shaft. Most of the time I can tell just by pushing sideways on the pump shaft... I don't know about you but I don't want to start out with a worn out pump with new seals.... Either way the system needs to be flushed :!:
 
Notjustair here is a picture of the hydro boost system. This uses the power steering pressure for the brake boost. It is a very good system with better braking than the vacuum boost in my experience.
a206318.jpg
 

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