The other day I was caught in a sticky situation where I had to accelerate hard to avoid being hit by another vehicle out of control. Since that moment my power steering hasn't been working properly. I noticed a few times before when getting in the throttle on the heavy side the power steering would become difficult but would go away after a few seconds and work normally. I have replaced the belt and topped off the fluid with a gm ps fluid from napa auto. Then performed the bleed method I found online. Lift the front tires off the ground then back and forth on the steering wheel. Done this about 3x so far and doesn't seem to do any good. Is there anything I may be overlooking or a step I may be skiping?
oh I also inspected the lines and no leaks

 

what model year, engine and steering design.........rack or box

 

2000 with a 5.3l
and it's a rack n pinion setup

 

if bleeding didn't help...

intermitent power steering may be from a worn spool valve in the rack and pinion...fix is to replace the assembly.

or a 2nd posibility is worn power steering pump/sticking/broken pressure relief spring in the pump...replace the pump

 

Ugh... guess I'll be getting dirty this weekend.
Soo... as to figuring out which one. I'm not too sure how to tell to be honest.
I can say that while the engine is under load it does slightly assist, the more load the easier. Hellish whine though. I'm assuming that may lead to pump over rack. Do you agree? 😕

 

if you have a whine, its pump related and that may or may not have anything to do with intermitent assist. the pump is cheaper, start with the pump.
When a steering rack wears out, the spool valve ports leak fluid into the wrong passages...they can work for 30minutes and then start to act up

when you install the pump:
fill the reservoir, raise the front wheels, go to the stops 10x (do not start the engine) back and forth. check the fluid and top up if needed. repeat 10x. then have some one start the vehicle and you be ready to add fluid if it drops...before it sucks air into the system. If you get air in it, it will whine and only vacuum bleeding will get the air out.

 

Well... at least I got a heading.
thanks for the help, seems I'll be getting under the hood this weekend

 

Tech 2
just wanted to say thanks. Turns out that the pump was trashed. Guess getting on the throttle was the last it could take from what I was told at the parts store.
now jus out of curiosity, on my rack there is a small hum sound turning the wheel. Any idea what it might be?
oddly enough only happens when turning right