Winding sound in steering, and very loose steering?

Question

I have a 2001 Chevy Blazer 4x4. The steering has a lot of play and the steering wheel is off center and when sitting still, engine running, there is a winding type sound when you turn the wheel to each side. It does not make the noise when moving. I have had the wheels aligned twice but the steering wheel goes off center again. What could it be? Should I be concerned?

Answer 1

OMG ! - who is doing wheel alignments on a vehicle without checking out these problems ? Play in the steering is serious! go to a reputable shop . YES you should be concerned!( these trucks are very hard on tie rods )Also a noisy P.S. pump will not give you play in the steering , although it still may need replacing.

Answer 2

I'd be very concerned and not drive the car until I knew what was going on. I'm surprised they aligned your wheels at all. Not only would that be very difficult, but it could be a liability for them to consent to do so if something major was wrong. As an example of something major, a friend of mine had a Dodge with front leaf springs. The back of one spring broke free. When he stepped on the brakes, the truck would steer off to one side without the steering wheel moving at all. If there's a loose/broken major suspension mounting point in the front, you can expect this sort of thing.

Answer 3

You have two independent issues: the noise is coming from the steering pump, and looseness from tie rod ends, idler/pitman arms, ball joints, and internal gear box play.

First, check if there is enough fluid in the power steering pump reservoir, add if level is low - this may eliminate the noise. If it's full and it's still noisy, you only option is to replace the pump. Good news is it's cheap but the replacement pump usually comes without the pulley, and you will need a special tool to re-install it.

Looseness is another - very common on chevy vehicles - thing, and the only solution is to replace the worn components.

Answer 4

well as to Ur question that there is a noise coming from steering when turning each side ok now what i think or as best of my knowledge there must be a problem with ur steering box it happenes only if there is a leak in hydraulic steering system or the oil is aged (old)

Answer 5

Half way down the steering column you have a linkage....like a U joint. Its in the engine near the firewall on the steering column....two different bars lined together that go through your ty rod. This might be loose and yes, you should be concerned cause its dangerous to drive right now. You need to have it checked....somewhere close to home.

Answer 6

power steering pump is fixing to go out and it sounds like the worm in your steering box is fixing to break if not already. this could be very dangerous especially if it happens while going the road

Answer 7

Add power steering fluid with stop leak.

Answer 8

I'll bet it's the steering gear box going bad.

Answer 9

I had the same problem, I replaced the power steering pump, and that did the job.

Answer 10

Bad pump or bad tension plate in the gear box. Could be a loose belt.

Answer 11

sounds like the pump is noisy (check the fluid level) and your idler arm and pitman arm need to be replaced

c.s.

Answer 12

I would have the rack and pinion checked.