Hydroboost or power steering pump problem?

Max Attitude

11SIX
Mar 7, 2012
814
0
16
Caledonia, MI
How can I tell what's wrong? I have a 2000 GMC 2500 with the 6.0. The power steering seems to work while driving down the road but when making a turn it's almost non existent. It seems to help when I give it more throttle.

The brakes work fine for normal braking but if I press hard enough they will get to a point where it feels like it breaks free and goes to the floor.

The fluid is topped off and appears pretty clean. The truck has 242,000 on it. I have jacked up the front end, turned the wheel lock to lock to get any air out of the system. That did not help. I have read that in 2000 a lot of ps pumps broke shafts. With the serpentine belt removed I cannot tell if it is broken. The shaft doesn't pull out. I have a pump here but dont want to replace if it's something to do with the hydroboost.
 

Max Attitude

11SIX
Mar 7, 2012
814
0
16
Caledonia, MI
In the process of replacing the ps pump. Looks like it leaks. Will report back to let everyone know if it fixed it. Might help someone out in the future.
 

chevyburnout1

Fixing it till it breaks
Aug 25, 2008
2,368
1
38
Berthoud, CO
Sounds like your on the right direction. Make sure to flush out all the fluid as well. If the pump shaft broke you would have no assist at all.
 

Max Attitude

11SIX
Mar 7, 2012
814
0
16
Caledonia, MI
Yeah, thats kinda what I figured too. I thought maybe it would catch once in a while but then it would probably make a bunch of noise. I will be flushing it. Thanks
 

quinton

Active member
Nov 28, 2011
1,883
0
36
Granbury Tx.
Sub'd trucks been sitting for 6 months and now it won't turn and power steering fluid shoots out by the gearbox. Brakes are soft to.