Help - Power steering non existant when braking hard

[ArtHummer]

The rub marks on the steering link does not belong there. It got to rub on something. And the only thing that is remotely close is the tube of the exhaust manifold. If you look at the video it is the left one of the dip stick. But it is few inches away from the link and should never touch link (nothing should). That's why my first thoughts felt on mounts... Also, if you notice, the link is not round. It got shaved of sides. If the manifold would sit on the link and will get in to the groove, you will have a very hard time to get it out of it.

 

[Hunner]

Might have to take a BFH and fine tune that exhaust header!
That's the Redneck fix.

 

[Sennin]

Might have to take a BFH and fine tune that exhaust header!
That's the Redneck fix.

dont think i would be able to get the BFH in there lol

 

[Hunner]

Well, you know what that means. Howcome so many things have to be completely disassembled to complete simple tasks! It's always sumpthin!
Another option, and I want tell who has done this, is to put a c-clamp that has a nut on the threaded part and use an air "rinch" to slightly squish, uh er "tune" the down pipe.
Sometimes desperate measures have to be used or just take it all apart or don't drive down steep hills and brake:giggle:
:corn:

 

[Scarsman]

An easy way to check the motor mounts is to have someone watch the motor while you power bake it in drive and reverse. Set the parking brake and step on the brake. Put it in drive and apply some throttle. Then reverse and apply throttle. Then you can see how much it moves.

Sent from my C771 using Tapatalk

 

[Sennin]

An easy way to check the motor mounts is to have someone watch the motor while you power bake it in drive and reverse. Set the parking brake and step on the brake. Put it in drive and apply some throttle. Then reverse and apply throttle. Then you can see how much it moves.

Sent from my C771 using Tapatalk

This would still just torque the motor in one direction? :huh:

 

[MaxPF]

Post up a pic of the brake booster (the thing the master cylinder is attached to). I have a sneaking suspicion that the right hand drive H3's have a hydroboost rather than a vacuum booster. Under normal operation, a hydroboost only draws a small volume of fluid during braking. That fluid is returned to the reservoir through an independent return line when the brakes are released. If something is worn or damaged (i.e. a check valve), then fluid flow can be bypassed to the return line during braking rather than being fed to the steering gear. You then get the very symptoms you described.

 

[Sennin]

Post up a pic of the brake booster (the thing the master cylinder is attached to). I have a sneaking suspicion that the right hand drive H3's have a hydroboost rather than a vacuum booster. Under normal operation, a hydroboost only draws a small volume of fluid during braking. That fluid is returned to the reservoir through an independent return line when the brakes are released. If something is worn or damaged (i.e. a check valve), then fluid flow can be bypassed to the return line during braking rather than being fed to the steering gear. You then get the very symptoms you described.

Sorry for the late reply, was away for easter, will be back home tonight to take a few picks of the brake booster and upload it. do have a engine bay picture from when I got the V8, but its not going to show much :wink:

 

[ArtHummer]

This would still just torque the motor in one direction? :huh:

This is not the direction that motor rotates, it is the direction that transmission rotates... Like Scarman said, hold the brakes, set on 'Drive' and hit the gas. Engine will torque one way. Then, turn to 'Reverse' and hit gas. Engine will torque other way.

 

[Sennin]

Here's some phodies of the brake master cylinder :giggle:

 

[Sennin]

Just to keep everyone up to date.

Haven't had time to work on the hummer after the Lesotho trip. started to feel bad, so this morning I took the 3 for a full wash and wax :wink:. turning into my driveway I felt a shudder when the steering angle gets close to full lock. so I pulled in and then did a full lock to full lock test again, and what do you know, shuddering in both directions on full lock, power steering fluid level still normal, no brakes used, so my conclusion is the power steering pump is on its way out. Will arrange with GM for a visit on friday (have to take days leave to go there, I just hope they will pre-order all components required and not just say that they will have everything ready by then)

 

[alrock]

Good luck!

 

[Sennin]

So I had second thoughts and decided to first do all my own diagnostics that I can before having GM just replace parts until problem solved.

now my question, what power steering should the H3 use and how much :whaa:

I was at GM on saturday to purchase 2 times the quantity of power steering fluid to do my own siphon-fill-40 steer turn-repeat.
GMSA gave me Dexron VI Transmission oil automatic transmission/Power Steering/Hydraulic tipper thats RED, and I enquired as i thought it must be a clear fluid?

 

[LagunaH1]

I can speak for the H3's but on my h1 I use the same atf in the transmission and power steering and it's red

 

[bebe]

If you read the owners manual here in the US - the fluid they require is clear. But who knows, you're in South Africa and it may be different. If you have an owners manual for your H3, I'd get it out and check.

 

[Sennin]

If you read the owners manual here in the US - the fluid they require is clear. But who knows, you're in South Africa and it may be different. If you have an owners manual for your H3, I'd get it out and check.

Well the Owners manual states GM power steering fluid (GM part no. 93602696) or equivalent, so I guess this must be the equivalent

 

[bebe]

If it gets noisy - you may have to switch it out for clear.

 

[Sennin]

If it gets noisy - you may have to switch it out for clear.

Hummer owners are a helpful bunch. Phoned around to all the fellow H3 owners I know and they quickly checked their PS fluid and all is clear Red like mine... and its 08:00 at night and winter outside.

So I will do the flush tomorrow and see whats what from there

 

[Sennin]

Update:

The Hummer started slipping in 3rd gear, so GM came to fetch the hummer for repair.

had them check the power steering as well, and their comment is PS Pump + Steering Rack has to be replaced, but due to the bigger tyres its not covered under warrenty, so a R22,000 ($2,500) bill for my accout. guess what i told them :whaa:. So now I'm going to source the pump and steering rack myself and do the replacmenet myself (still cant see how both went simultaniously without a drop of oil leaking even..)

Who can tell me if the left hand driva Alpha's steering rack will work in the Right hand drive we have?

 

[alrock]

I can't see how the rack would be bad - I would start with the pump and go from there.

 

[Sennin]

I can't see how the rack would be bad - I would start with the pump and go from there.

Had the same idea, replace one Item at a time untill all is sorted

 

[amrg]

Im currently getting a shudder noise when Im at full lock, and noticed that sometimes I lose most of the power steering assist when Im trying to park (its on and off issue) which forces me to push on the steering while parking. Hopefully Ill get that fixed by the dealer when I go for my next service (Ive kept my original stock wheels/tires just to avoid having the dealer not covering such issues by blaming them on my oversized tires)

 

[Sennin]

Im currently getting a shudder noise when Im at full lock, and noticed that sometimes I lose most of the power steering assist when Im trying to park (its on and off issue) which forces me to push on the steering while parking. Hopefully Ill get that fixed by the dealer when I go for my next service (Ive kept my original stock wheels/tires just to avoid having the dealer not covering such issues by blaming them on my oversized tires)

As far as I know the shudder at full lock is normal, but if you hear a growl as well then you know something (power steering pump most propably) is on its way out. If you struggle in parking with engine at idle then you have exactly the same simptoms as me.

 

[amrg]

As far as I know the shudder at full lock is normal, but if you hear a growl as well then you know something (power steering pump most propably) is on its way out. If you struggle in parking with engine at idle then you have exactly the same simptoms as me.

Yup! SA models unite

 

[Sennin]

just an update. wanted to take my gf camping and half way to her my gearbox started slipping in third. so turned around and unpacked everything and put the offroad trailer back in the garage. then phoned GM to come and fetch the hummer.

Gearbox already replaced under warrenty. just strugling with warrenty to cover power steering pump.