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1989 chevy p/u 1500 power steering issues
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mecro
New User
Jan 5, 2009, 4:11 PM
Post #1 of 5
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1989 chevy p/u 1500 power steering issues
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First of all i would like to say welcome and look forward to being a part of this forum. Now the question. I have a chevy 1989 1500 p/u manual transmission with a 350 engine and there is about 244,000 km on the speedo but the engine and transfer case have been replaced. today i was stuck trying to get up a hill in reverse and all of a sudden lost my power steering. I inspected all the hoses and they were fine and then got someone to turn the steering wheel to make sure that the linkage was not being obstructed , which it was not. Now does this mean my pump is gone or my steering gear? Is there a way to troubleshoot which it may be or could there be something different.
thank you
Mecro
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Loren Champlain Sr
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/ Moderator
Jan 5, 2009, 5:28 PM
Post #2 of 5
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Re: 1989 chevy p/u 1500 power steering issues
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Mecro; I assume that you've also checked the P/S belt? Assuming it is okay; The most common cause would be the P/S pump, itself. The more uncommon problem would be the spool valve in the steering gear. An easy, but messy, trick is to loosen the pressure line on the pump, have someone turn the wheel, and you should have a nice mess to clean up.  If it just dribbles out, then it's the pump. I'd suggest doing this when the engine is cold because you don't want fluid getting onto a hot exhaust manifold. The proper way of testing would be with pressure guage, and that's what I'd recommend that you do.
Loren
SW Washington
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mecro
New User
Jan 5, 2009, 6:20 PM
Post #3 of 5
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Re: 1989 chevy p/u 1500 power steering issues
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Great! thank you for the info. I did check the belt and it is fine also I assume that the psi hose is the on with the flare and the return is the crimped on one. Is it a very hard job to replacr p/s pump? It says in my manual that i need a special puller. Do i hook the gauge up to the psi side of the pump and do you have an idea of what my psi rate should be? Sorry one more, if by chance i get lots of fluid coming out when i turn the wheel is it a tough job replacing the steering gear?
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Loren Champlain Sr
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/ Moderator
Jan 5, 2009, 6:31 PM
Post #4 of 5
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Re: 1989 chevy p/u 1500 power steering issues
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You are correct. The pressure line is the one with fittings, the return with clamps.
No, not a terrible job to replace the pump, but you will need a pulley puller. They are a bit spendy. The installer is very cheap, and a cheaper version usually comes with the rebuilt pump.
Yes, you would connect the guage between the pump and the gear on the pressure line.
I'm not certain what the correct pressure should be, but I'm sure it is over 200psi. So, you'll know it if it has pressure. The steering gear isn't all that difficult, either, but there again, requires a special tool (pittman arm puller). I'd be real surprised if it turns out to be the gear. Not a common GM problem. Ford, yes; But GM, no.
Loren
SW Washington
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mecro
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Jan 6, 2009, 9:16 AM
Post #5 of 5
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Re: 1989 chevy p/u 1500 power steering issues
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thank you, very much for the information, i did the wheel test and no fluid really came out. I just ordered a new pump and you were right it comes with a crappy part to assist in the removal and installation. i have one mor question. My 4x4 does not work, when you put it in 4 high there is noo light first of all that appears on the shift lever console. I have checked fuses and checked the shift lever to make sure that it is moving to the transfer case. any help again would be great.
1989 chevy 1500 4x4
350 engine
244km
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