I own a 2003 Suburban. I put a new steering pump on it about six years ago when my uncle owned it in San Fransico because it was starting to make whining noises. It never did fix the problem and the truck sat for a few years. Almost four years ago I went out and fixed a ton of items on the truck and drove it back to Columbus, OH. I’ve been knocking things out here and there and it’s time to address the steering. I’ve bleed the system every way you can thing of. Off the ground. On the ground. Engine off. Engine on. Lock to lock every time until my shoulders started burning. The results are, in the air, it’s perfect. The vehicle moving, perfect. When it’s started and the wheels are on the ground it gets stuck in spots and it’s pretty tough to work through it. It whines only at the end of the locks. I only have 76,000 on it and I love driving it. But I don’t want to jeopardize my family if the steering is going to go out completely.

What does it sound like to you guys? I’m half tempted to buy two new lines, pump, and gear box. There’s no booster on it. No cooler. And it does this consistently. Just when I’m at a stop. This morning I tried getting the rpm’s up in park and move the wheel. Still tough. I sucked the old fluid out of the reservoir and replaced it with new. It was very dark in color. I’m at a loss. Any help is greatly appreciated

 

It's OK to sometimes let an independent ASE mechanic take a look/pay for a diagnosis...don't go to a dealer....

 

Ha! Thanks for the advise. I know it can be difficult to help someone with something if it’s not in front of you. Fortunately this is the #4 car in our “fleet” with two drivers so it can sit. Finding a mechanic was my next stop if “we” couldn’t figure it out. Thanks Cusser!