power steering problems
 

i have a 2006 crew cab z71, and lately the power steering seems to be going out, but it just does it sometimes when you first start it and now its getting worse. anyone had a problem like this and what solutions did you come up with. thanks any help would be appreciated.

Re: power steering problems
 

I cannot speak specifically about an 06 but we have 3 2000-03 and several friends with 03- and 04's all have had atleast one pump replaced a few have had multiple. My Dad old retired mechanic said really cheap design for a truck. They all just snapped the shafts. Mine had some of the symptoms you described. I was turning on wet and dry pavement in a parking lot started turning on wet when it hit the dry felt it grab and felt it snap and that was it. less than 30K on truck It now has 125k on it so this one has done well. Hopefully they beefed it up for 06's and beyond I am sure some guys with newer trucks will let you know
Good Luck

Re: power steering problems
 

thanks for the reply, i guess i will start with the pump and go from there, its the cheapest place to start, keep your fingers crossed.

Re: power steering problems
 

My 04 2 wheel drive has a similar problem. When it first manifested it only did it once it was well warmed up and first idled down after several miles. Every morning coming into the parking garage was an adventure as I suddenly had no power steering. Just a little gas and it was back. Now it does it when I first start it too. I'll be installing a new pump soon. Mine has 220k miles and this will be the first belt driven accessory to fail, so I'm not complaining.

-Richard

Re: power steering problems
 

Any chance you could have a leak in one of the lines?

Re: power steering problems
 

thanks guys for the replies, it was the pump.changed it out yesterday feels like a brand new truck again.

Re: power steering problems
 

Thanks for the update.

Re: power steering problems
 

I am on the 2nd new pump in my '06 2500HD. When I bought the truck, I could barely move the wheel unless the truck was moving. Noticed it during the initial test drive at the dealer. So they replaced it at their cost. Worked great for about a year. I had an extended warranty on the rig, and had the same dealer install a new pump for the same problems as when I bought it. Worked great... for about a year.

Now here I am again, with the pump failing again. Truck has 32" tires on it... so I'm sure thats not helping any, but that's what was on the rig when I bought it. So when I needed new tires I bought the same size.

Did a little research, and found that there are several TSB's from GM outlining problems with the power steering systems in this generation of trucks. But no recalls, and nothing to be relaced at GM's expense.

Gary