Ok,
Here's my problem. I'm having an issue with the power steering being hard to steer at an idle once the truck is fully warmed up.
Truck is stock with 350 engine, I've replaced the OEM P/s pump with a GM rebuilt pump...same problem. At times when the truck is at operating temp, the steering is hard to turn at idle. You hear some pump "whine" and its hard to turn. If you increase rpm a little bit truck steers normal.
Truck is full of P/S fluid and has no issues that I'm aware of.
I then replaced the GM rebuild pump with another from the dealer under their parts warranty. Same exact problem. I then replaced that p/s pump with one from AGR. (I think that's the correct brand name). Same problem but not as bad.
The only thing to look at now is the P/S gear...but the whole thing just really aggravates me. It still sounds to me like its a pump problem since the steering will function properly if you increase the idle speed by a couple hundred RPM.
Anyone have experience with symptoms of a bad P/S gear, because that's the only thing I've not replaced at this point.
Local GM shop has run out of ideas...they want to blame the tires (
285 75 / 16 BFG AT Radials ). But I don't see it that way because the truck steered fine with the OEM pump and the same tires. I initially replaced the pump because the fluid looking like a brown mess when I got around to looking closely at it , and its bitten me in the @ss ever since.More info... I think the truck idles around 500 RPM, don't know if that the correct idle speed, my buddy at the GM dealer made no mention of a low idle.
Any thoughts? Truck has new p/s hoses and so the only item left is the p/s gear..
Elbert
----------- Elbert snipped-for-privacy@me.com