04 GMQ steering issue

[jrod1947a]

Hello all
Last year i had an issue with power steering. Replaced pump, everything was good for a while. Then some time later i started getting "hard spots" while turning. Wheel is hard to turn in certain places. Put in new lower steering arm. That helped a little bit. But recently those "hard spots" seem to be getting much worse. Does this sound like a steering rack problem?
Any insight is greatly appreciated.

[sly]

check the u-joints in the steering shaft. they could be going out and binding. If those work smoothly, then it could be the rack.

[jrod1947a]

They were good when i put it in, but i'll pop it out and check. Thank you

[sly]

don't forget about the one actually in the steering column at the tilt location.

[Piece-it pete]

I checked this out when my 03 bound up. It was the lower shaft, but a few folks online rec'd replacing the intermediate and the bearing at the firewall.

You might be able to disconnect it at the rack and see if it turns freely.

Pete

[tjc78]

I believe 03+ are known to have intermediate shaft issues. IIRC there was a recall recently.

[Piece-it pete]

05+ recall if you live in rustland:

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/..._ids=13V385000

03+ steering column (rack is just below the pic):



Pete