Steering screams at full lock

[sokoloka]

1973 K10, stock (as far as I know) power steering setup. Unknown amount of lift but definitely not over 4". 33x12.50x15 tires.

Whenever I rotate the wheel to full lock in either direction a screaming / screeching / grinding noise comes from under the hood. Bad power steering pump or am I missing something?

 

[xenomarine]

Mine does that too, I attribute it to belt slippage on the power steering pump when pressure builds as the steering bottoms out

 

[82355]

That is pretty standard.

Martin

 

[Fordum]

Check your fluid level, but odds are its a normal noise.
When you stall out a hydraulic pump, a bypass valve opens, and the fluid often makes a noise going through the small opening.

Or, if your belt is glazed or loose, it will slip making the noise. That is easy to spot. Just watch the pump pulley when you max it out.
If the belt is slipping, the pulley will stop turning when you hear the noise.

That is not normal and needs to be fixed. Either a new belt, or tighten the one you have.
If it slips when stalled, sooner or later it will start slipping under a normal heavy load, such as a sudden hard turn to dodge something.
When it slips, you will lose power steering just when you need it most.

 

[xenomarine]

Check your fluid level, but odds are its a normal noise.
When you stall out a hydraulic pump, a bypass valve opens, and the fluid often makes a noise going through the small opening.

Or, if your belt is glazed or loose, it will slip making the noise. That is easy to spot. Just watch the pump pulley when you max it out.
If the belt is slipping, the pulley will stop turning when you hear the noise.

That is not normal and needs to be fixed. Either a new belt, or tighten the one you have.
If it slips when stalled, sooner or later it will start slipping under a normal heavy load, such as a sudden hard turn to dodge something.
When it slips, you will lose power steering just when you need it most.

Could a failing bypass valve also cause belt slippage? Just trying to pin stuff down.

 

[mrk5]

Any old GM truck I've owned has made that noise when you have the steering hard on the stops. From what I understand its the bypass valve Fordum mentioned. I was taught you shouldn't put the steering hard on the stops because of that.

All that being said it certainly doesn't hurt to check out the fluid and belts.

 

[Blue85]

OK, a little noise is normal, but how much are we talking about? You have of course checked the fluid level and looked for foaming by now, so how are those two things?

 

[chulisohombre]

I replaced my fluid with Lucas power steering fluid and mine is much quieter now. New fluid may help a lil but the pump bypass still makes some noise no
Matter what.