Power Steering Noise - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

dmack91 · 05-19-2011, 02:49 AM

OK, my question is on the PS system. It works well, but often times when going around corners, it will let out a shrieking noise. Nothing felt through the wheel, but just a loud screaming noise.

While I like to see people looking at my truck, I don't necessarily like it for this reason.

I have done the standard bleeding (slowly turning lock to lock), both with the engine off and running. I changed the belts, retightened them, and still have the problem.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

**screaminchevypickup** · 05-19-2011, 06:49 AM

Most of the time it's the belt but there is a good chance that it's the bearings in the pump
Posted via Mobile Device

**nbrfd007** · 05-19-2011, 08:03 PM

Before you start buying parts, pull out the old fluid, replace with Lucas power steering fluid/treatment. This stuff works wonders!!
Tim

usmcchevy · 05-19-2011, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nbrfd007

Before you start buying parts, pull out the old fluid, replace with Lucas power steering fluid/treatment. This stuff works wonders!!
Tim

Used that on my $150 grand am, worked great!

dmack91 · 05-20-2011, 03:16 AM

I did a full fluid flush earlier, but with no improvement (wasn't Lucas though).

Thanks for the ideas.

fastwillie 696969 · 05-20-2011, 03:33 AM

OK I'm taking it its got clean new fluid in the reservoir , was the old fluid burnt and black in color ? ,im thinking its air bubble in the pump ,try bleeding the p/s ,jack up the front tires off the ground ,start the engine let idle and turn the steering wheel stop to stop back and forth ,have someone look in the reservoir to see if foam or air bubbles coming to the top .other than that the pump might be just bad on high pressure side

**nbrfd007** · 05-20-2011, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmack91

I did a full fluid flush earlier, but with no improvement (wasn't Lucas though).

Thanks for the ideas.

The lucas is the key.

*72lb4x4* · 05-20-2011, 11:19 AM

Does it do it sitting still turning the wheel?
I'd guess the belt is loose, or glazed, as already mentioned.
I'm missing how magic fluid will stop belt squeal...

dmack91 · 05-20-2011, 01:09 PM

New fluid, new belts - tight, done the front jacked up/turn wheels several times with no luck. Old fluid wasn't black, just a bit dark.

Have seen lots of tiny bubbles at times, but have done the bleeding many times.

**Classic Heartbeat** · 05-20-2011, 02:00 PM

If you see lots of tiny bubbles you need to let them settle out befor adding new fluid and turning your wheels. Once they settle out add more fluid, then with the front wheels off the ground start the truck and run the wheels all the way right and then all the way left then shut the truck down. Check for bubble in the fluid. If there is still bubbles, then once the bubbles settle out, repeat the process. I do not believe this to be your problem though, because you discribe the problem to be a shreak not a whine. Shreaking is the belt slipping on the pullys, whining is low fluid or bubbles in the fluid.
I would pull the belt, and dress the pullies with emory cloth to get them to bite the belt better.
I should ask are you turning the wheel all the way either direction? If so, many times the belt will shreak once you come up against the steering stops. WES

dmack91 · 05-20-2011, 02:27 PM

Thanks WES for the suggestion. I will try dressing the pully next. As far as the screech, it doesn't usually happen when static (stopped), so it is not when the wheel is turned to the stops. Usually when going around a corner.

Thanks again all.

**Classic Heartbeat** · 05-20-2011, 03:21 PM

Another thing to consider is your front end alignment. If your front end is out of alignment the tires will squeel going around corners. WES

bosco200 · 05-20-2011, 04:27 PM

My truck does the exact same thing...but its not around corners, its when I turn the wheel all the way to the right or left, or when Ive just started my truck and try turning the wheel.

**Classic Heartbeat** · 05-20-2011, 05:41 PM

That sounds like a belt issue. Check to see if the belt is loose, there should only be about 1/4" of movement up and down. If more than that it would need tightening. If it still squeals then try a new belt and dress the pullies while you have it off. WES

Also make sure your belt matches your pullies. I have seen people use too narrow of belts and have the same problems.

PatrickGMC70 · 05-20-2011, 10:50 PM

I thought that PS noise at full lock was normal because the pump doesn't have a bypass.

Here, I found a link...

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=418687

fastwillie 696969 · 05-21-2011, 12:42 AM

that pump can be bad and is creating the air bubbles on its own ,
for belts use a soap bar on them if you think its squeals from them,but im sure its from the pump it self ,just my guess without looking at the truck

**nbrfd007** · 05-21-2011, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72lb4x4

Does it do it sitting still turning the wheel?
I'd guess the belt is loose, or glazed, as already mentioned.
I'm missing how magic fluid will stop belt squeal...

You must believe in the magic fluid Grasshopper! With all that he has done, sounds like an internal problem. The Lucas will free up sticky valves and condition inside the system. I have seen it work wonders.

**Classic Heartbeat** · 05-21-2011, 10:34 AM

Quote:

that pump can be bad and is creating the air bubbles on its own

If the pump is full of fluid, this is not possible. The pump is submerced in fluid and unless the fluid level is low when turning the wheel, there is no way for air to get to it.
Also transmission fluid should not be used as power steering fluid. The additives eat the seals in the steering gear. WES

68gmsee · 05-21-2011, 10:45 AM

re. loud squeeling: I'm with the belts/pulleys crowd on this one.

I'm not talking about the gearbox stop noise. But in all my experiences with the high frequency squeeling while turning it's always been either the belts, belt/pulley alignment or the metal contact surface on the pulleys being glazed or burnt.

In another case I had a Tahoe that had the multi groove pulley that was so worn the new belts would slip on it. I would up having to get a new pulley.

Check the belt alignment carefully. See if you can locate a cheap pump with the pulley at the junkyard to try.

toolboxchev · 05-25-2017, 01:12 PM

Well thought to add this today due to same issues with growling going on. This would be just after replacing the steering gear with a new re-manfactured Cardone unit.

WES is spot on this, ran through the steering 20 turns, engine off. Burp, added fluid, did again for 20 turns. Then started engine and did the same. Just took it for a test drive and am very happy!

Thanks Wes for your guidance on this, hope to meet you soon!

05-19-2011, 02:49 AM	#1
dmack91 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Redmond, OR Posts: 754	Power Steering Noise OK, my question is on the PS system. It works well, but often times when going around corners, it will let out a shrieking noise. Nothing felt through the wheel, but just a loud screaming noise. While I like to see people looking at my truck, I don't necessarily like it for this reason. I have done the standard bleeding (slowly turning lock to lock), both with the engine off and running. I changed the belts, retightened them, and still have the problem. Any suggestions? Thanks __________________ 68 Chev C20- son has it now 83 K20 - bought from son 70 C20 - in progress Last edited by dmack91; 05-19-2011 at 02:50 AM.

05-19-2011, 06:49 AM	#2
screaminchevypickup Laid Back Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: mcloud ok Posts: 2,658	Re: Power Steering Noise Most of the time it's the belt but there is a good chance that it's the bearings in the pump Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 72 chevy swb Direct dealers for.. Vintage Air, Porterbuilt, Billet Specialties,Budnik wheels ,eddie motorsports, raceline wheels, intro wheels, Dakota Digital, precision, unisteer, Trimparts, and many many more... Laid Back Recreations.. Full restoration shop and full paint and body.. Kyle http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=574629

05-19-2011, 08:03 PM	#3
nbrfd007 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New Blaine, Arkansas Posts: 751	Re: Power Steering Noise Before you start buying parts, pull out the old fluid, replace with Lucas power steering fluid/treatment. This stuff works wonders!! Tim

05-20-2011, 03:16 AM	#5
dmack91 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Redmond, OR Posts: 754	Re: Power Steering Noise I did a full fluid flush earlier, but with no improvement (wasn't Lucas though). Thanks for the ideas. __________________ 68 Chev C20- son has it now 83 K20 - bought from son 70 C20 - in progress Last edited by dmack91; 05-20-2011 at 03:17 AM.

05-20-2011, 03:33 AM	#6
fastwillie 696969 ~Rest In Peace~ Join Date: May 2005 Location: CALIFORNIA NOR CAL Posts: 9,707	Re: Power Steering Noise OK I'm taking it its got clean new fluid in the reservoir , was the old fluid burnt and black in color ? ,im thinking its air bubble in the pump ,try bleeding the p/s ,jack up the front tires off the ground ,start the engine let idle and turn the steering wheel stop to stop back and forth ,have someone look in the reservoir to see if foam or air bubbles coming to the top .other than that the pump might be just bad on high pressure side __________________ is it fast ? it has a lighting bolt donut? B___H please, I can remove 90% of your so called "beauty" with a kleenex

05-20-2011, 11:19 AM	#8
72lb4x4 Account Suspended Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: DFW Posts: 1,427	Re: Power Steering Noise Does it do it sitting still turning the wheel? I'd guess the belt is loose, or glazed, as already mentioned. I'm missing how magic fluid will stop belt squeal...

05-20-2011, 01:09 PM	#9
dmack91 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Redmond, OR Posts: 754	Re: Power Steering Noise New fluid, new belts - tight, done the front jacked up/turn wheels several times with no luck. Old fluid wasn't black, just a bit dark. Have seen lots of tiny bubbles at times, but have done the bleeding many times. __________________ 68 Chev C20- son has it now 83 K20 - bought from son 70 C20 - in progress

05-20-2011, 02:00 PM	#10
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,770	Re: Power Steering Noise If you see lots of tiny bubbles you need to let them settle out befor adding new fluid and turning your wheels. Once they settle out add more fluid, then with the front wheels off the ground start the truck and run the wheels all the way right and then all the way left then shut the truck down. Check for bubble in the fluid. If there is still bubbles, then once the bubbles settle out, repeat the process. I do not believe this to be your problem though, because you discribe the problem to be a shreak not a whine. Shreaking is the belt slipping on the pullys, whining is low fluid or bubbles in the fluid. I would pull the belt, and dress the pullies with emory cloth to get them to bite the belt better. I should ask are you turning the wheel all the way either direction? If so, many times the belt will shreak once you come up against the steering stops. WES __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys Last edited by Classic Heartbeat; 05-20-2011 at 02:01 PM.

05-20-2011, 02:27 PM	#11
dmack91 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Redmond, OR Posts: 754	Re: Power Steering Noise Thanks WES for the suggestion. I will try dressing the pully next. As far as the screech, it doesn't usually happen when static (stopped), so it is not when the wheel is turned to the stops. Usually when going around a corner. Thanks again all. __________________ 68 Chev C20- son has it now 83 K20 - bought from son 70 C20 - in progress

05-20-2011, 03:21 PM	#12
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,770	Re: Power Steering Noise Another thing to consider is your front end alignment. If your front end is out of alignment the tires will squeel going around corners. WES __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys

05-20-2011, 04:27 PM	#13
bosco200 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ste. Genevieve, MO Posts: 526	Re: Power Steering Noise My truck does the exact same thing...but its not around corners, its when I turn the wheel all the way to the right or left, or when Ive just started my truck and try turning the wheel.

05-20-2011, 05:41 PM	#14
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,770	Re: Power Steering Noise That sounds like a belt issue. Check to see if the belt is loose, there should only be about 1/4" of movement up and down. If more than that it would need tightening. If it still squeals then try a new belt and dress the pullies while you have it off. WES Also make sure your belt matches your pullies. I have seen people use too narrow of belts and have the same problems. __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys

05-20-2011, 10:50 PM	#15
PatrickGMC70 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Parkville, MD Posts: 163	Re: Power Steering Noise I thought that PS noise at full lock was normal because the pump doesn't have a bypass. Here, I found a link... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=418687 Last edited by PatrickGMC70; 05-20-2011 at 10:55 PM.

05-21-2011, 12:42 AM	#16
fastwillie 696969 ~Rest In Peace~ Join Date: May 2005 Location: CALIFORNIA NOR CAL Posts: 9,707	Re: Power Steering Noise that pump can be bad and is creating the air bubbles on its own , for belts use a soap bar on them if you think its squeals from them,but im sure its from the pump it self ,just my guess without looking at the truck __________________ is it fast ? it has a lighting bolt donut? B___H please, I can remove 90% of your so called "beauty" with a kleenex

05-21-2011, 10:45 AM	#19
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: Power Steering Noise re. loud squeeling: I'm with the belts/pulleys crowd on this one. I'm not talking about the gearbox stop noise. But in all my experiences with the high frequency squeeling while turning it's always been either the belts, belt/pulley alignment or the metal contact surface on the pulleys being glazed or burnt. In another case I had a Tahoe that had the multi groove pulley that was so worn the new belts would slip on it. I would up having to get a new pulley. Check the belt alignment carefully. See if you can locate a cheap pump with the pulley at the junkyard to try.



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

05-25-2017, 01:12 PM	#20
toolboxchev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: 2nd left past the stump on a dirt road. Posts: 2,629	Re: Power Steering Noise Well thought to add this today due to same issues with growling going on. This would be just after replacing the steering gear with a new re-manfactured Cardone unit. WES is spot on this, ran through the steering 20 turns, engine off. Burp, added fluid, did again for 20 turns. Then started engine and did the same. Just took it for a test drive and am very happy! Thanks Wes for your guidance on this, hope to meet you soon!

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.