I have an issue where when the truck is cold if I hit the brakes fast the pedal will kick back at my foot and then go down. In extreme cold I can feel this in the steering as it happens. I am leaning towards a steering pump but I want some opinions.

Rick

 

Do you have the hydroboost on your 98?

A friends 88 Chevy had a similar issue, we replaced the hydroboost and it did not fix it. It ended up being the steeering pump, too low pressure. I do not think his issue was a cold weather/cold engine issue, it happened all the time.

 

Yes on the hydroboost and yes on the same symptoms. I am going to have to replace the steering box also due to play in the steering so I want to be sure before spending even more money I don't have.

 

^^^I am in the same boat right now so I feel ya.

Look at 'redhead' steering boxes, in Seattle. They are supposed to be the best rebuilds available and worth it. Many who have gone with autozone/O'reillys etc end up replacing them earlier than expected.

Not sure if they are the same between 2 and 4wd. Yours may cost less, I don't know...

I also know the hydroboost system is finicky about air and contamination, so maybe some of the experts around here will know something before you go buy a steering pump if that isn't the problem.

 

This is the same hydroboost that has been used on the Chevys since they put diesels in the pickups and Blazers. I have one on my big block CJ-7. They had accumulator problems many years ago but I am pretty sure that was worked out in the early eighties. The steering box I am going to go with the setup from Geno's along with the shaft. Do it once and be done with it. I only have a year or two left before I will be in a wheelchair so I need to make whatever I do stick!

Rick

 

Geno's sells good stuff and back's them up! Good call.

I seem to remember the early hydroboosts were best left unopened and untouched or trouble started! I have also read that the newer ones, like on our trucks, are a lot better and lower maintenance...

Good luck on the setup.

 

If it's only happening when cold I'd try changing the power steering fluid out to synthetic. I sucked out the old fluid with a turkey baster and refilled with lucas synthetic untill it was clean and it got rid of all my cold weather problems.

We have an older chevy with hydroboost at work that does this when it gets low on fluid (it leaks) and foams up.

 

I could try that, I do believe it may be the pump because the steering is kind of heavy but all I have to compare it to is my 97 powerstroke and the steering on that is very light. I read all the time about the new style boxes being much easier to turn so maybe the heavy feeling is normal?

 

My '01 was starting to do that when cold, as well.
I checked the fluid which was low, added some and the problem was solved.
I would like to turkey baster out the old fluid and put in some synthetic as well though on the next oil change.
It smelled like the fluid had gotten hot.

 

I went out this morning and specifically paid attention to what was going on with the brakes. Before even moving I pressed the brake and as soon as you go to push it there is resistance and then it goes. If you push real slow you feel no resistance. While driving sometimes you will feel it if you are in a turn and hit the pedal with a fast tap. I am going to try the fluid first and then I guess I will try the pump since it has 160,000 on it. The trick to converting to synthetic is to get all the old stuff out. I usually suction out the reservoir and then take the return line off and let that run into a drain pan while adding the new fluid till clean fluid appears at the drain. I did not notice but I will see when I go back out if I have two returns to the pump. The Chevy Hydroboost has a separate return to the pump and they use a special pump body set up with two return ports.