Power Steering Help!!

[VanBuren]

I have a 2002 tahoe LT. I had to replace the idler arm and pitmen arm on it. When i replaced the pitmen arm I have to remove the gear box. I unbloted the 3 bolts that hold the cover on were the steering shaft enters the gear box, before I new I didnt have to do that. When I reinstalled it it started leaking from that cover. As it was leaking the power steering box starting winning really bad. I shut the truck off refilled the power steering and fixed the leak now I have no power steering. Does anyone know what might be wrong. I need to get this fixed asap.

 

[clkelley]

I am not sure I understand where the leak was coming from. Where/how did you fix it? It is possible that the pump is now bad, does it still whine? Check to see if the fluid is "foaming" inside the pump reservoir, if so then the pump is bad. If that checks out then it may be the hydroboost unit that is bad. But, then again, you may have damaged the gear box during removal or re-installation.

 

[VanBuren]

I still haven't fixed it yet. It is not whining anymore. If you look from the hood down at were the gear box is you can see were the steering shaft goes into the gear box. There is a 3 bolt cover that the shaft goes through. were that cover meets the gear box is were it is leaking. The most i did to the gear box was unbolt if from the frame and move it to the side. so i could get the pitman arm puller on. I have not checked the power steering pump yet i was not sure as to what to look for. Is there a way to tell if the gear box is bad or the hydroboost unit?

 

[clkelley]

If the gear box is leaking from the top plate then you are loosing pressure in the gear box itself. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it sounds as if, when you "moved it to the side" you may have damaged the gear box and it is time to replace it; especially if you did not disconnect the steering shaft during the process.

 

[clkelley]

Also, if the hydroboost unit is bad then your brake pedal will feel hard as a rock without doing very much to stop the truck.

 

[VanBuren]

Is it possible that if i could fix the leak that it would fix the problem or its just done once it starts leaking?

 

[VanBuren]

the brake is not hard at all. It feels no different then normal

 

[VanBuren]

to check to see if the power steering pump is foaming do you do that with the truck running?

 

[clkelley]

To check the foaming, start the truck and work the steering back and forth a bit, turn the truck off and if it is foaming you will be able to tell just by removing the pump reservoir cap and looking in, it should be pretty obvious if that is the issue.

With repairing the gear box, it may be possible to find a new top plate and seal there, but I have never had to do that so I am not sure if it actually possible or not. You may have warped or bent the top plate itself and I am not sure if you can actually order a new plate by itself.

 

[VanBuren]

Ok I will check the power steering pump and see what it is doing then let you know. Thank you for all your help so far.

 

[clkelley]

No problem, let us know what you find.

 

[VanBuren]

So I tested the pump there is no foam in the pump at all. It is no longer leaking from that spot but I still do not have power steering. Brakes feel good they are not hard.

 

[clkelley]

IT has to be something with the gear box. Double check and make sure that you did not inadvertently crimp one of the hard lines leading to or from the gear box.

 

[VanBuren]

just checked all the lines there is not a dent crease or anything in any of them. I do know I did not take the steering rod out before I moved it. Do you think that damaged something inside.

 

[clkelley]

It very well could have. One way or another, it is leading to problems with the gear box itself. By moving it the way you did, it is possible that you either damaged the gears or put them in a bind causing this issue.

 

[VanBuren]

So pretty much Just replace the gear box and hope it works lol

 

[clkelley]

Yeah, I think that is probably the best thing at this point. If the pump isn't foaming, the pedal isn't hard, the lines are all in good shape and not leaking fluid everywhere, etc. The only other option really would be to replace the gear box.

 

[VanBuren]

would there be another possibility of air in the system?

 

[clkelley]

Not really, air doesn't effect the ps system the same as it does with the brake lines...

 

[VanBuren]

ok just a thought. I am going to pull the pump out tonight look at make sure i am not missing something then probably replace it if i did not miss something. I will post up what I find. Thank you for your help