Well last night I was messing around with my step dad in his 2003 quad cab Hemi. He thinks it's the greatest thing alive, well my 4.8 ext cab showed him. He pulled me about a car length on take off then we cruised by him in second and left him in third. After we raced and played around I had to turn around in road and noticed my power steering wasn't working. We stopped on the side of the road to check it out. The pump is full with fluid and the belt and pulley are working fine. I got under the truck to check out the rack and pinion, and it appears to be ok. I got back in the truck and started it up then slowly opened the pump cap to check if I could see any movement of the fluid in the case. It doesn't seem to be moving, swirling, nor is the level changing. There are no leaks or anything. I drove it home and the rack and pinion seems to be working fine it does not jamb or stick at all in it's movement it just doesn't have power assist. I am pretty sure the pump has just gone out, but wanted to check with you guys to see what you all thought. Any help or thoughts would be great.

 

To the top.

 

Don't have an answer for you unless the pulley shaft broke. But I think that the pulley would have probably come by now.

Gonna move this to the performance section for you. May get a better answer in there.

 

You have a rack and pinion in a truck ????
I'm pretty sure your setup is a recirculating ball setup (same as EVERY OTHER Chevy/GMC out there) and it suonds like you busted the pulley shaft....with the truck idling and the top off of the power steering reservoir you should be able to see the fluid moving around pretty good...if you can't you broke the shaft

 

You broke your shaft. Reach down and pull on the pulley. If it is broken the pulley and part of the shaft will start to pull out. Becareful not to pull it all the way out. That is how I always see if it needs a pump.
Most all 2-wheel drive 1500 trucks have a rack and pinion. All 2500, 3500, Tahoes, and Suburbans have a recirc. ball gear.

 

the new body 1999-2004 2wd truck have a rack and pinion. as for the loss of power steering, i coulndt help you there.

 

Yes my 2001 GMC Sierra 2wd has rack and pinion. NO every other Chevy/GMC out there is NOT the same. The torsion bar front end of the 4X4 trucks and all the GM SUVs have the recirculating ball setup you mentioned.

 

I went outside and took the belt off and pulled on the pulley and the pulley and shaft started to come out. Do you think I will be able to drive the truck till this weekend when I will be able to fix it?

 

I wouldn't! Get that sucker fixed! It is under warranty still?

 

Man this sucks I am dropping my truck off in the morning to have my cam and springs done. It's like 150 miles to the shop and I also work in that area. If anybody has any ideas I am open for them. Looking for a shorter belt or something to help temp fix the problem. I pulled the pulley and shaft out and measured the shaft that's left on the pulley it has about 2 and 1 half inches left on it. I put it all back together and started the truck, and the pulley stays in one position troughout the rpms. Do you guys think this thing will fly off the front of the motor?