GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Step

Action

Yes

No

1

Did you review the Power Steering System General Description and perform the necessary inspections?

Go to Step 2

Go to Symptoms - Power Steering System

2

Verify that a rattle, clunk or shudder noise is present.

Is a rattle, clunk or shudder noise present?

Go to Step 3

System OK

3

Inspect the power steering hoses for proper routing and clearance.

Is the routing or clearance of the power steering hoses incorrect?

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 4

4

Inspect the engine drive belt for cracking or excessive wear. Refer to Drive Belt Excessive Wear Diagnosis in Engine Mechanical 4.3L.

Is the drive belt cracked or excessively worn?

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 5

5

Inspect the power steering pump pulley for damage.

Is the power steering pump pulley damaged?

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 6

6

Inspect the power steering pump and the power steering mounting bracket/brace for the proper installation. Refer to Power Steering Pump Replacement .

Is the power steering pump installation incorrect?

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 7

7

Inspect the power steering gear for the proper installation. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement .

Is the power steering gear installation incorrect?

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 8

8

Inspect the steering gear bearing preload for the proper adjustment. Refer to Steering Gear Worm Gear Thrust Bearing Preload Adjustment - Off Vehicle .

Is the steering gear bearing preload adjustment incorrect?

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 9

9

Inspect the steering linkage. Refer to Steering Linkage Inspection in Steering Linkage.

Is the steering linkage worn?

Go to Step 18

Go to Step 10

10

Inspect the suspension.

Is the suspension worn?

Go to Step 19

Go to Step 11

11

Inspect the intermediate shaft.

Is the intermediate shaft worn?

Go to Step 20

Go to Step 3

12

Adjust or replace the hoses. Refer to the appropriate procedure(s):

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 21

--

13

Replace the engine drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement in Engine Mechanical 4.3L.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 21

--

14

Replace the power steering pump pulley. Refer to Power Steering Pump Pulley Replacement .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 21

--

15

Install the power steering pump correctly. Refer to Power Steering Pump Replacement .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 21

--

16

Install the power steering gear correctly. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 21

--

17

Adjust the steering gear bearing preload. Refer to Steering Gear Worm Gear Thrust Bearing Preload Adjustment - Off Vehicle .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 21

--

18

Replace the worn steering linkage.

Refer to Steering Linkage Inspection in Steering Linkage.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 21

--

19

Replace the worn suspension components. Refer to Diagnostic Starting Point - Suspension General Diagnosis in Suspension General Diagnosis.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 21

--

20

Replace the intermediate shaft. Refer to Upper Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement or Lower Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement in Steering Wheel and Column .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 21

--

21

Operate the system in order to verify the repair.

Did you correct the condition?

System OK

Go to Step 3