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93 Power steering problem

I know we've all been through this but I need a refresher. My 93 2WD Chevy steering worked fine until a week ago. Now it won't steer at low RPM without a noise like a loose belt and a shudder in the steering wheel. When the oil is cold (50 degrees) all is normal with no noise but after running about 5 minutes and the oil heating up the noise starts. It has a serpentine belt so tension is not the issue. About 2 months ago I tightened the steering box to remove some excess play in the wheel. The truck has 190,000 mi and the PS fluid is a light brown in color with a possible burnt smell. Can I change the oil in this thing to get rid of the problem? How about an additive? If it's the pump, how much do these things run? Thanks guys, Doug

Reply to
dkmcp
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The power steering fluid is supposed to be replaced every 24 months or

24,000 miles. Its another one of those forgotten service points. Of more interest to me are the steps and procedures you used when "I tightened the steering box to remove some excess play " Also use an approved power steering fluid, not automatic transmission fluid like we used to back in the days. I've used a Vacula to suck out the old, and then fill, start the vehicle run it a bit doing this repeatedly until the fluid is clear. If the return line is easy to get to you can remove it, cap the return port on the reservoir, place the return line in a suitable container and with an assistant fill the reservoir, have him start the vehicle and then continue filling it until its flushed. Another possibility is that the pressure relief valve is stuck partially open. And just because it has a serpentine belt does not mean tension is not a problem. Belt tensioners wear out too. Also an idler pulley's bearing could be going bad.

Whitelightning

Reply to
Whitelightning

Thanks Whitelightning, that's the info I was looking for. I have a vacuum device I can probably partially evacuate the fluid with and I can also remove the return line rather easily. I will use power steering fluid as that's what the system calls for. When I took the play out of the steering box I backed off the lock nut on top of the box and tightened the allen screw in the center to a point that I could still crank it to lock position and have the wheel return by itself after coming out of a corner. It took about 2" of play out of the wheel but I am wondering if I could have done something to create additional problems with a pressure relief valve. I could back this adjustment off slightly if that would help. The serpentine belt is tight but you are correct with the bearing being somewhat questionable as it is noisy when I diagnosed with a stethiscope and it sounds a little like I'm running a blower on the truck. I guess I'll have to replace that as well. So, if the fluid is changed until clear and blead will this correct a partially stuck pressure relief valve? Is it time to consider a new pump? Is the pressure relief valve part of the pump? Thanks again and I look forward to your comments. Doug

Reply to
dkmcp

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