UPDATE: Picking up the truck tonight 12-24-03. . $2400 xmas gift to myself (not)... Thx all for the inputs and advice
Hi,
I am putting this in the 911 area as I am down but crisis is slightly averted by having 12yrold suburban as a spare... . It is not legal for responding to my medical and fire calls so I need to get the Green Monster (99-2500) back on the road...
The ole Green Monster's steering and brake power assist has died on me. <b>I just need some advice</b> to insure I don't spend money on the wrong things as I try to fix this...
Yes, this is pretty much self inflicted by living on nasty dirt roads most of the time and making the mistake of choosing to put off a steering box leak repair for a few months...
History. .
1) several month steering gear leak which was watched and fluid added often to... put off repair for $ issues... did have the bolts tightened up a few times but knew it was only time... Wanted to save up and buy the lower support addon that I've seen on the web... .
2) winter howl from powersteering pump, one replacement during warranty but the howl continued every winter even with synthetics
3) rarely the fluid level would drop enough (due to the leak) so I would hear a howl. We would stop asap and add fluid, knowing that the roll of the dice on the pump was being used up quickly. .
4) we never lost enough to impair the steering or brakes...
Symptoms:
Drove across my hilly back fields and hooked up to a trailer. When I put the truck in gear and started to move, I noticed the steering assist was gone. Thought we must be low on fluid... Reached the parking lot and remembered the brakes use the same power assist... .
There was and is no howl as might be heard when the fluid has been found to be low in the past.
Checked the fluid level and it was visible in the tank but seemed a little low...
Steps taken thus far:
Added a tiny bit of fluid to top off the tank with no improvement.
Raised front wheels off the ground and cranked the wheel (without the engine on) both ways hoping to see an improvement, no change
Parked the truck and ordered steering gear and pump
Now on TDR wondering if I missed something stupid before getting these new parts dirty...
Questions:
As this pump seems gear driven, is there any other failure mechanism that could cause a total loss like this?
Is there a better way to insure I am not fighting an air bubble introduced by driving over the hills on the way to the trailer?
Is there any special hints for changing out the steering gear box and pump that I should consider?
Anyone in North East Vermont want to get there hands dirty with me?
Thanks in advance for any constructive thoughts on this. .
David
(Figures I just put two new batteries in the beast!)
Hi,
I am putting this in the 911 area as I am down but crisis is slightly averted by having 12yrold suburban as a spare... . It is not legal for responding to my medical and fire calls so I need to get the Green Monster (99-2500) back on the road...
The ole Green Monster's steering and brake power assist has died on me. <b>I just need some advice</b> to insure I don't spend money on the wrong things as I try to fix this...
Yes, this is pretty much self inflicted by living on nasty dirt roads most of the time and making the mistake of choosing to put off a steering box leak repair for a few months...

History. .
1) several month steering gear leak which was watched and fluid added often to... put off repair for $ issues... did have the bolts tightened up a few times but knew it was only time... Wanted to save up and buy the lower support addon that I've seen on the web... .
2) winter howl from powersteering pump, one replacement during warranty but the howl continued every winter even with synthetics
3) rarely the fluid level would drop enough (due to the leak) so I would hear a howl. We would stop asap and add fluid, knowing that the roll of the dice on the pump was being used up quickly. .
4) we never lost enough to impair the steering or brakes...
Symptoms:
Drove across my hilly back fields and hooked up to a trailer. When I put the truck in gear and started to move, I noticed the steering assist was gone. Thought we must be low on fluid... Reached the parking lot and remembered the brakes use the same power assist... .
There was and is no howl as might be heard when the fluid has been found to be low in the past.
Checked the fluid level and it was visible in the tank but seemed a little low...
Steps taken thus far:
Added a tiny bit of fluid to top off the tank with no improvement.
Raised front wheels off the ground and cranked the wheel (without the engine on) both ways hoping to see an improvement, no change
Parked the truck and ordered steering gear and pump
Now on TDR wondering if I missed something stupid before getting these new parts dirty...
Questions:
As this pump seems gear driven, is there any other failure mechanism that could cause a total loss like this?
Is there a better way to insure I am not fighting an air bubble introduced by driving over the hills on the way to the trailer?
Is there any special hints for changing out the steering gear box and pump that I should consider?
Anyone in North East Vermont want to get there hands dirty with me?
Thanks in advance for any constructive thoughts on this. .
David
(Figures I just put two new batteries in the beast!)
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