2003 Chevrolet Venture Power Steering

TECHMAN9778

MEMBER
2003 CHEVROLET VENTURE
3.4L
V6
FWD
AUTOMATIC
230,000 MILES

I replaced the power steering pump and pulley. Primed the pump the way the instructions said to. I did jack the van up, turn the wheels with the engine off, then started it up and turned the wheel both directions, turned it off and let it sit for approximately 10 minutes. Checked fluid level and turned wheels again. Started up again and turned wheels. Lowered jack and tried to turn, and the wheel is very hard to turn. Repeated process and received the same results. The pump is screaming a low tone, the fluid is full and see no signs of fluid being pumped. Also before installing the new pump we did pump out the old fluid and pumped in new fluid. Could it be the pump or the rack? Or maybe something else or something I am doing wrong. If you could help it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.

3 Replies

RACEFAN966

MECHANIC
5,029 POSTS

I hate to say it but it sounds like you got a defective pump.

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Thursday, June 25th, 2015 AT 7:34 AM

TECHMAN9778

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I replaced the pump again and still the same results. After talking with several mechanics that I know or friends have put me in touch with all have pretty much said that the rack is bad. I have two questions. 1. Am I able to rebuild the rack versus replacing it? 2. If it is better for me to replace the rack, do you have any ideas, tips, tricks, to make this easier for me? Any little bit will help. Thank you for your time and help. I really do appreciate it.

Mark