03 Yukon Denali XL Power Steering Problem...

[Roveer]

My 03 Yukon Denali XL recently developed quite a whine in the power steering pump with loss of power steering at low speeds especially on hard left turns. At first I tried home remedy, changed the fluid, bled it out by putting front wheels in the air and slowerly turning wheel left & right a whole bunch of times. This definetly quieted the pump but the problem persisted. The fluid looked pretty frothy so I figured I was getting air in the system somehow. I bought a replacement pump at Autozone and then realized it woudl be a bear to install so I took it to my low cost mechanic who said he fixed it and that the pump I supplied was the wrong one. He said he replaced the pump but I really have no way of truly knowing. It's still making a whining noise, although a lot quieter but I still have loss of power steering in low speed hard left hand turns. Most other driving it seems OK, maybe a little weak. There did not appear to be any leaks before or after and he said the steering box was OK.

Any ideas on what else I should go after before I start replaceing expensive stuff? Really just want to get this fixed

Thanks,

Roveer

 

[Molson02536]

My 03 Yukon Denali XL recently developed quite a whine in the power steering pump with loss of power steering at low speeds especially on hard left turns. At first I tried home remedy, changed the fluid, bled it out by putting front wheels in the air and slowerly turning wheel left & right a whole bunch of times. This definetly quieted the pump but the problem persisted. The fluid looked pretty frothy so I figured I was getting air in the system somehow. I bought a replacement pump at Autozone and then realized it woudl be a bear to install so I took it to my low cost mechanic who said he fixed it and that the pump I supplied was the wrong one. He said he replaced the pump but I really have no way of truly knowing. It's still making a whining noise, although a lot quieter but I still have loss of power steering in low speed hard left hand turns. Most other driving it seems OK, maybe a little weak. There did not appear to be any leaks before or after and he said the steering box was OK.

Any ideas on what else I should go after before I start replaceing expensive stuff? Really just want to get this fixed

Thanks,

Roveer

A lack of steering assist or shudder during parking lot type maneuvers on low speeds indicates that you need to replace the current pressure control valve with P/N 26095470, available from GMSPO. This valve will provide additional steering assist during parking lot type maneuvers also.

The valve mentioned is the pressure control valve that goes in the P.S. pump BTW.

Good luck and keep us posted.
Molson02536

 

[Roveer]

A lack of steering assist or shudder during parking lot type maneuvers on low speeds indicates that you need to replace the current pressure control valve with P/N 26095470, available from GMSPO. This valve will provide additional steering assist during parking lot type maneuvers also.

The valve mentioned is the pressure control valve that goes in the P.S. pump BTW.

Good luck and keep us posted.
Molson02536

So, I was told by my mechanic that he changed my PS pump. I had provided a rebuilt that I had purchased at Autozone and he told me it was the wrong kind (although I checked twice when buying). It makes a low whine, almost like a mechanical whine (kinda hard to describe). So it's possible that either he did not replace it like he said, or if he used a rebuilt (likely) and I got a dud. Unfortunatly my denali is very cramped in the engine compartment. We have two other Yukons and there is a ton of space. Mine is very cramped. Appears that the PS pump mounts to the back of the pulley assy on the front of the motor. I'm wondering if I should have them install another pump? It's a lot of work but I have to make this vehicle reliable.