97 Tahoe
History: The power steering has always been a bit quirky. Sometimes at low RPM (like when I'm trying to park a trailer) the wheel pulses a bit or gets tight. Goosing the gas clears it, but also requires a foot on the brake which also energizes the trailer brakes.
After the last trip the steering pump developed a fairly good leak, so I set out to replace it. The Chilton manual is useless for this job. I bought the tool to remove the pulley and finally found the correct bolts to remove and got the pump out.
O'Reilly lists a pump with EVO or without EVO. I clearly see the solenoid valve on mine so I ordered that one. I came instead with a sort of "j-pipe" where the valve body should have been. I went to Napa to find the exact same thing. Nothing like what I actually have on my car. I bought the basic pump and moved my parts over; BUT, here's where it's strange. Under the solenoid valve is a plunger and spring, I presume part of the valve. These will not fit in the new pump. I assumed leaving them out would just give me full pressure all the time. I have heard there is an EVO bypass or something.
Good news, nothing leaks and I have power steering at anything above 1000 RPM or so. Below that (bad news), I absolutely cannot turn the wheel. This is a PITA to change (again), but I'm wondering why I cannot find the right pump. Anyone encountered this? Can I downsize the pulley for a higher pump speed at idle?
History: The power steering has always been a bit quirky. Sometimes at low RPM (like when I'm trying to park a trailer) the wheel pulses a bit or gets tight. Goosing the gas clears it, but also requires a foot on the brake which also energizes the trailer brakes.
After the last trip the steering pump developed a fairly good leak, so I set out to replace it. The Chilton manual is useless for this job. I bought the tool to remove the pulley and finally found the correct bolts to remove and got the pump out.
O'Reilly lists a pump with EVO or without EVO. I clearly see the solenoid valve on mine so I ordered that one. I came instead with a sort of "j-pipe" where the valve body should have been. I went to Napa to find the exact same thing. Nothing like what I actually have on my car. I bought the basic pump and moved my parts over; BUT, here's where it's strange. Under the solenoid valve is a plunger and spring, I presume part of the valve. These will not fit in the new pump. I assumed leaving them out would just give me full pressure all the time. I have heard there is an EVO bypass or something.
Good news, nothing leaks and I have power steering at anything above 1000 RPM or so. Below that (bad news), I absolutely cannot turn the wheel. This is a PITA to change (again), but I'm wondering why I cannot find the right pump. Anyone encountered this? Can I downsize the pulley for a higher pump speed at idle?
