Need help with my 2003 GMC 2500HD. Been driving it with 285's on it since I bought it new in 03. Had a boss plow put on last year to make some coin in the winter. This summer seems like "and doesn't happen all the time" the steering gets hard if I am at a standstill. Fluid in the pump is full and nothing is leaking. Is the pump starting to go or is it something in the steering gearbox? Truck has 80K on it.

I just had my '06 crew cab dually at the stealer this week for the same complaint - almost impossible to steer when the engine is at idle.

Based on another post on this forum, the first action I took was to change the fluid. I pumped a full gallon through the system before I figured it was clean enough. It didn't help. I also put about 16 oz of Lucas power steering fluid in, it said that it smoothed power steering. That didn't help either.

I gave up and took the truck to the local GMC dealer. The tech says the output from the pump is within specs. The service writer says his truck is the same way. They are saying that it is just the 'nature of the beast'. They even tried changing the pressure valve (pre-agreed that if it didn't fix the problem I didn't get charged for the valve or the labor to install it). As far as I know, I've got 1 1/2 hours diagnostic time to pay for with no fix in sight.

I haven't picked the truck up yet because I'm still not sure what to do. My wife used to drive the truck daily - she can't drive it at all anymore because she can't steer it. The only way I can maneuver it in close quarters (like my gravel driveway) is to use my left foot on the brake and give it a little gas with my right foot.

When I asked my wife if she wanted to pick the truck up, she refused. She said she'd end up using her .380, so I decided that they really didn't need to see that side of her.

I'm honestly thinking about a Ford...

Does anyone know if GM still uses the "variable" power steering like they did in 97? My truck had a problem and I found it to be the sensor on the steering column had gone bad, it wasn't expensive and did not take me but a few minutes to replace. You may try asking the dealer if it is a similar problem....I would have thought they would know though.

I too have a similar problem, and it only happends sometimes. I noticed my fluid was a touch low and added some but it didnt make any differance... If someone finds out a fix for this i would love to hear it.

It is generally understood that you should never crank on the wheel when sitting completely still. It put quite a load on the system and is going to be tough to turn. Really no reason to crank on the wheel when sitting still anyway. Take your foot off of the brake as you are starting your turn and it will be very easy to turn the wheel. If not then you very well may have a bad pump. Typically it will start to whine if the pump is going bad though (or low on fluid)
DT

DT,

Very true when you're driving the truck. Not very easy to do when you are backing up to a trailer or backing up under a 4000 pound slide-in truck camper.

When my truck was new - it was very easy to steer. My wife could parallel park it. She can barely get it out of the driveway now and is very concerned that if she drives it she'll hit something because she can't steer it.

The dealer says the pump is fine.

Add me to this list. The steering sometimes stiffens and grows while in a parking lot or backing a trailer. Fluid is full with no leaks or strange noises.

The following is not a cure but helps a lot:

1)flush fluid with full synthetic--I used Redline

2)Verify that all your hp lines are not leaking/weeping at crimps. Mine did replaced & it improved steering.

3)Add PS cooler(do search here) for 8.1L truck(wonder why for that motor and not for ours). Set up already to a handle it.

4)Total overkill--add inline filter...I did but did not help with steering but maybe will help with extending oil life.

My 2003 has developed the same problem. Every once in a while, as in trying to maneuver in a parking lot, it seems as if the power steering is not working at all, but only stiff in one direction.

revving up the engine does nothing to mine when it starts to steer hard. I would hate to change the pump and not have that be the problem. I have never changed the fluid in it, is it a hard task to perform?

I have said it before, but there is a lot of money to be made for someone who figures out the fix for this issue, there are almost 10 years worth of gm trucks out there, many with this issue, and many in search of a cure.

my truck has the exact same issue. its to the point now i can not move a trailer safely due to not being able to back it up safely at low or next to no speeds. im planing a full on holocaust on my steering system when i get home.

rebuilding the power steering gear box

new high pressure power steering pump

all new ball joints

all new control arm poly bushings

new tube upper control arms

and to make sure the thing actually turns.......

hydro ram assist system

i have less than 5k on ..

GM - pitmen arm

GM - idler arm (just the arm)

cognito idler box (the pivot point for the idler arm)

home made super HD idler/pitmen braces

FabTech HD tie rods

if any of my newer parts have any sort of play to them ill replace them also.

im actually quiet upset that i cant get more than 5k out of my truck before something in the steering/front suspension system, needs to be worked on and also about eats the whole edge off be it inner or outer of the front tires.

doing a SAS would be a real fix but i just have too hard a time convincing my self to spend 10-15k more on a truck that i use so little each year.

before i pull the trigger on this over haul im going to spend some time looking at other options. no idea what they are but im looking for ideas....... this trucks front suspension/steering has by far been the biggest pain iv ever had on any car iv ever owned.