I drove to New Orleans and back this weekend and had no problems. This morning when I went out to go to work the power steering wasn't working! I don't have any leaks. Is my pump probably bad? How should I diagnose?

 

I would suggest starting the engine and then listen to the pump, is the power steering pump pulley turning, is the pump shaft turning or is the pulley spinning on the shaft?

I would then lift the front tires off the ground and turn the steering wheel lock to lock...how does it feel....does it turn easily, does the effort required to turn the wheel change going from lock to lock?

All the comes to mind at this moment. Probably is the pump and not to difficult to change-out.

 

Thanks for your help. There is still plenty of fluid in there and no weird sounds. I'll check to see if the pulley is spinning on the shaft, I may take a trip to pull a part this weekend.

 

i quick test to see if the pulley shaft is broken is to just pull on it if it comes out them the shaft is broken if it doesn't then the shaft is fine

 

Scott, good idea I'll check it tonight. The pump on there is the original... The Jimmy's a 1996 with 236,000 miles on it and this is the first power steering problem I've ever had.

 

Have you taken off the serp. belt and spun the individual pulleys that drive the P/S, alt. water pump, paying special attention to the power steering pump. Does it spin freely and smoothly with some resistance? Making any noise? Or is it rough and/or wobbly? Be sure to check the belt tensioner. You want to see if the spring loaded arm is still working. Look at the belt to see if it is worn or glazed. With the serp. belt off would be the best time to pull on the pulley to see if there is any play fore and aft as well as side to side

 

The pump shaft pulled straight out! It doesn't look like theres any damage to the shaft or the splines. Maybe a circlip fell out? I should probably spring for another pump anyways.

 

it shouldn't pull out so the pump needs to be replaced its a pretty simple job if you have the right tools

 

Yeah, I've already pulled the old pump... Autozone has a bare pump for $70 but I can get the pump, bracket and pulley for $28 at pullapart.