Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra. Service manual — part 2708

1

General Description and perform the necessary
inspections?

Go to Step 2

- Power Steering
System

2

Verify that a whine or growl noise is present.
Is a whine or growl noise present?

Go to Step 3

System OK

3

Inspect the power steering fluid for the
following indications of contamination:

Milky fluid - water

Brown fluid - burnt

Debris in fluid - plastic or dirt

Is the fluid free of contamination?

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 4

4

Flush the power steering system. Refer to
Power Steering System Bleeding.
Did you complete the procedure?

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 5

5

Inspect the power steering gear for a whine or
growl noise using J 39570 Chassis Ear.
Is the noise present at the power steering gear?

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 6

6

Inspect the power steering pump for a whine or
growl noise using J 39570 .
Is the noise present at the power steering pump?

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 7

7

Inspect the power steering hoses for a whine or
growl noise using J 39570 .
Is the noise present at the power steering hoses?

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 8

8

Inspect the hydraulic brake booster for a whine
or growl noise using J 39570 .
Is the noise present at the hydro boost?

Go to Step 13

-

9

Replace the power steering gear. Refer to
Steering Gear Replacement (Rack and
Pinion) or Steering Gear Replacement (Non-
Rack and Pinion).
Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 13

-

10

Replace the power steering pump. Refer to
Power Steering Pump Replacement (4.3L)
or Power Steering Pump Replacement
(4.8L, 5.3L, 6.0L, and 6.2L) or Power
Steering Pump Replacement (6.6L).

-

2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

2008 STEERING Power Steering - Cab & Chassis Sierra, Cab & Chassis Silverado, Sierra & Silverado

POOR RETURN OF STEERING WHEEL

Poor Return of Steering Wheel

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 13

11

Adjust the routing of the power steering hoses.
Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 13

-

12

Diagnose the hydraulic brake booster. Refer to
Diagnostic Starting Point - Hydraulic
Brakes .
Did you correct the condition?

Go to Step 13

-

13

Operate the system in order to verify the repair.
Did you correct the condition?

System OK

Go to Step 3

Step

Action

Yes

No

DEFINITION: After completing a turn, extra steering input is required for the steering
wheel to return to center.

1

Did you review the General Description and
perform the necessary inspections?

Go to Step 2

Go to Power
Steering System
Description and
Operation

2

Verify that poor return of the steering wheel is
present.
Does the system operate normally?

System OK

Go to Step 3

3

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to

Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .

2. Lubricate the tie rod ends and ball joints,

if applicable.

3. Inspect the suspension system for worn or

damaged components.

4. Repair as necessary.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 4

4

1. Rotate the steering wheel ONE revolution

in both directions.

2. Rotate the steering wheel back to the

original position.

2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

2008 STEERING Power Steering - Cab & Chassis Sierra, Cab & Chassis Silverado, Sierra & Silverado

Was the steering wheel abnormally difficult to
rotate in either direction?

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 10

5

1. Disconnect the intermediate shaft from the

steering column.

2. Note the position of the steering wheel and

rotate the steering wheel ONE revolution
in both directions.

3. Rotate the steering wheel back to the

original position.

Was the steering wheel abnormally difficult to
rotate in either direction?

IMPORTANT:

Position the wheels straight ahead. Do NOT rotate
the steering wheel more than one complete
revolution from center.

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 6

6

Inspect the intermediate shaft for stiff or loose
joints. Repair or replace as necessary.
Did you find and complete the repair?

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 7

7

1. Remove the front tire and wheel

assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel
Removal and Installation .

2. Disconnect both outer tie rod ends from

the steering knuckles.

3. Use your hands in order to move the tie

rod end studs.

4. If abnormally difficult to move, replace

the tie rod end. If equipped with
recirculating ball steering, ensure that idler
and pitman arm joints are not to stiff.
Repair as necessary.

Did you find and complete the repair?

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 8

8

1. Use your hands to rotate the steering

knuckle inboard and outboard in order to
inspect for a binding strut bearings, ball
joints, or axle.

2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

2008 STEERING Power Steering - Cab & Chassis Sierra, Cab & Chassis Silverado, Sierra & Silverado

STEERING EFFORT TOO EASY IN ONE OR BOTH DIRECTIONS

STEERING EFFORT HARD IN ONE OR BOTH DIRECTIONS

2. Repair or replace any abnormally stiff or

loose components.

Did you find and complete the repair?

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 9

9

Inspect for binding in the steering gear. If a
binding is present repair or replace the steering
gear.
Did you find and complete the repair?

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 10

10

Inspect the wheel alignment and adjust as
necessary. Refer to Wheel Alignment
Measurement .
Did you find and complete the repair?

Go to Step 12

-

11

Inspect the steering column for a binding. If a
binding is present, repair or replace the steering
column as necessary.
Did you find and complete the repair?

Go to Step 12

-

12

Operate the system in order to verify the repair.
Did you correct the condition?

System OK

-

Step

Action

Yes

No

1

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

Go to Step 2

Go to Symptoms

- Power Steering

System

2

Verify that the steering effort is too easy in one
or both directions.
Does the system operate normally?

System OK

Go to Step 3

3

Perform the power steering test procedure.
Refer to Power Steering System Test.
Did you complete the procedure?

Go to Step 4

-

4

Operate the system in order to verify the repair.
Did you correct the condition?

System OK

Go to Step 3

Step

Action

Yes

No

Did you review the Power Steering System

Go to Symptoms

2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

2008 STEERING Power Steering - Cab & Chassis Sierra, Cab & Chassis Silverado, Sierra & Silverado