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Power Steering problem on wife's 03 Yukon- non hydroboost

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1.2K views 5 replies 2 participants last post by  LtEng5  
B
#1 ·
I've been reading all the threads on the slow speed turning issues. My wife's 03 Yukon was doing something similar. When going slow (as in turning into parking space) it became momentarily difficult to turn to the wheel and it was making a very decent whine. It was a little low on fluid, not too much, but the fluid was pretty black and smelled burnt. I don't know how to do the full bore flush as this is not a hydroboost unit and that was the only links I could find on here. So I grabbed the turkey baster and proceded to suck out all the old fluid from the resevoir.

I filled it up with new fluid, and tested. The loud whining went away, replaced by a much quieter whistle, like the sound when you are turning hard all the way to the stops, but I'm not. The steering is a little easier but still has the spots where it feels like no PS. Seems like it does it more when turning right, but I could be imagining that.

Any ideas? Thanks.
 
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L
#2 ·
you changed some of the fluid but not all of it.....you will have to remove the return line from the PS pump to flush out the gear box ..... with the motor OFF remove the line and let drain into a pan; be prepared for fluid to come out of the PS unit also....use a cap off to plug the PS port and then refill and start the motor.....have someone turn the steering wheel lock to lock; slowly.......monitor the fluid level and add as it goes down.....once the fluid coming out of the return line is the color of the fresh new fluid you are using....shut the motor off and replace the return line back onto the PS unit

this will ensure the fluid is fresh thru the entire system ... the whine/whistle should but may not be fully gone...the "feels like no PS at all" is because the valving inside the unit is sticking or failing.....flushing out will help the sticking....if they are failing; it will get worse no matter what....the only fix for failed valves is to replace the steering box
 
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B
#3 ·
Ok, going to try it tomorrow. Any ideas how much fluid it will take?
 
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L
#4 ·
probably 1qt to 1-1/2 qt to flush out good......get 3 to have some to top off after reconnecting the line
 
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B
#5 ·
Ok, I thoroughly flushed it and it still has the same problem. The "hard" steering parts kind of seem to come and go but its still there just like before. When I turn the wheel at all, it makes the sound like it does when you're turning the wheel all the way against full lock. I don't know what that is.

Anyway, do I need a new steering box? Any recommendations, or is a NAPA rebuild okay?
 
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L
#6 ·
yeah sounds like the valves have stuck and yes you are basically turning against a "lock" with the valves not opening and causing the squeal from the overworked pump....

a NAPA rebuild is a good unit; just make sure it is for the Yukon and not a pick up...different turns ratio
 
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