Author	[Modern View]
Chris Jones 07-02-2012 08:13:17 98.26.240.6 Report to Moderator	Jon Hagen was right on target. Shaft broken or pulled out of the gears inside the pump or something. Shaft comes forward and fluid spills out. I've already remove the intake to release the tension on the belt and remove the belt. Now I have to remove the alternator and the alternator/pump bracket and pump hoses and pump. I sure hope when it broke it didn't send pieces into the steering valves. [Reply]   [No Email]
mite-help 07-02-2012 21:06:47 166.249.192.237 Report to Moderator	Re: GMC Sierra power steering (problem identified) in reply to Chris Jones, 07-02-2012 08:13:17   Dang!! buy your 2x4's at lowes, maybe those won't have that side affect lol--   [Reply]  [No Email]
david G 07-02-2012 15:42:39 205.215.206.18 Report to Moderator	Re: GMC Sierra power steering (problem identified) in reply to Chris Jones, 07-02-2012 08:13:17   Thanks for the feedback. Donuts are really a bad idea, the differentials take most of the abuse. It seemed like a good idea when we were in high school.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Chris Jones 07-02-2012 18:00:23 98.26.240.6 Report to Moderator	Re: GMC Sierra power steering (problem identified) in reply to david G, 07-02-2012 15:42:39   Yea, but I didn't get to do that back then and occasionally I want to just cut loose--probably symptoms of a mid-life crisis. I'd love to try some milder off road trail riding some time but that ain't what my truck was made for and I'm still too practical and poor to buy a 4X4 for as few times as I would use it. Mine does have the auto locking rear, it locks up quickly when the wheels start spinning.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Revredneck 07-02-2012 08:56:31 209.152.127.81 Report to Moderator	Re: GMC Sierra power steering (problem identified) in reply to Chris Jones, 07-02-2012 08:13:17   Unfortunately, that is a fairly common failure for GM vehicles. You shouldn"t have to worry about parts flowing into the valves. When the shaft breaks, the pump stops and no fluid flows. Take your time and pay attention to what you"re doing and you"ll do fine. Good Luck and God Bless   [Reply]  [No Email]
VernMI 07-02-2012 14:02:30 209.86.226.34 Report to Moderator	Re: GMC Sierra power steering (problem identified) in reply to Revredneck, 07-02-2012 08:56:31   Executing dusty donuts causes premature pump shaft failure. Will have to make a note of that for future reference.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Chris Jones 07-02-2012 15:35:48 98.26.240.6 Report to Moderator	Re: GMC Sierra power steering (problem identified) in reply to VernMI, 07-02-2012 14:02:30   Well, I expect it was going to break anyway but the only connection I can draw now for the timing is perhaps I had the wheel locked hard left and as we all know when you hold it to the far left or right it makes a noise and strains a bit. Maybe that strain was what caused it to choose that moment to break. So if it didn't cut donuts it would have broken the next time I was maneuvering in a tight place and holding the wheel locked one way or the other--same difference. Or maybe it was karma biting me for having a bit of fun cutting donuts at a construction site. :)   [Reply]  [No Email]
Jon Hagen 07-02-2012 20:22:31 69.26.17.61 Report to Moderator	Re: GMC Sierra power steering (problem identified) in reply to Chris Jones, 07-02-2012 15:35:48   Could have been a combination of full pressure from holding full lock, combined with the high rpm of doing donuts. but then it happens to folks who are not holding full lock at high rpm while doing donuts. Stuff happens. :-)   [Reply]  [No Email]