1997 Chevy Silverado power steering quit while I was on a logging trail. The pump doesn't labor when the wheel is turned. The fluid does not seem to be agitating inside the pump wile the engine is running. There seems to be some vacuum inside the pump while the engine is running. The hoses feel like fluid is going through them.

I sounds like your power steering pump may be going out or low on fluid.

To troubleshoot the issue,i suggest you to check the help link mentioned below:----

Power Steering Leaking Oil

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/11/power-steering-leaking-oil.html

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Also with these i suggest you to refer these help,oinks.
Once the problem is detected,these is to replace power steering pump and fluid running line:-----

In relation to these problem there are few solved help links,i suggest you to go through the list and click the required link:-----

Power Steering going out?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/04/power-steering-going-out.html

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How to Replace power steering pump on Chevy silverado 2500 HD?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/how-to-replace-power-steering-pump-on.html

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How to replace Power steering rack and pinion gear on Chevy Silverado 2500 HD?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/how-to-replace-power-steering-rack-and.html

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Power Recirculating Ball Steering Gear removal on Chevy silverado 2500 HD?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/power-recirculating-ball-steering-gear.html

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Chevy Silverado 2500 HD steering wheel replacing Procedure?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/chevy-silverado-2500-hd-steering-wheel.html

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Steering Wheel Locked?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/steering-wheel-locked.html

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How to Remove Power steering Pressure Hose on Dodge Stratus

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-remove-power-steering-pressure.html

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How to replace power steering pump on Mitsubishi Diamante?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2012/01/how-to-replace-power-steering-pump-on.html

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How to bleed power steering pump on Toyota?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/how-to-bleed-power-steering-pump-on.html

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How to replace power steering pump on Toyota Land cruiser?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/how-to-replace-power-steering-pump-on.html

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Steering service light ON GMC Sierra Denali?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/steering-service-light-on-gmc-sierra.html

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Steering service light came on 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/on-one-my-pontiac-grand-prix-relatred.html

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Check power steering message on Toyota?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/check-power-steering-message-on-toyota.html

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How to remove power steering pulley on 2002 Ford Taurus?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/03/how-to-remove-power-steering-pulley-on.html

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1992 Ford Aerostar Power steering and Alternator belt routing diagram?

http://carbeltrouting.blogspot.com/2011/12/1992-ford-aerostar-power-steering-and.html

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How to replace Power Steering Pump on Acura Car Models?

Also bleeding:

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-replace-power-steering-pump-on.html

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How to replace Steering Linkage on Acura Car Models?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-replace-steering-linkage-on.html

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How to replace power steering pressure hose on mustang?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/how-to-replace-power-steering-pressure.html

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STEERING SQUEAKS

http://alltypesofpartsreplacing.blogspot.com/2012/10/steering-squeaks.html

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Steering Column Diagram For 1990 Jeep Wrangler

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/07/steering-column-diagram-for-1990-jeep.html

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How to replace Steering Wheel on Acura Car Models?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-replace-steering-wheel-on-acura.html

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How to replace Power Steering Pump on 1999 Acura TL?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-replace-power-steering-pump-on.html

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These details will help.

Thanks.

I had the same thing happen. In the end it was the mechanism that attached from the pump to the lines there was a little metal piece with a spring that im guessing kept getting stuck

it can be one of two things the belt on the power steering pump is

slipping, caused by leaky fluid on belt or just old age. another thing

may have to be replaced is the belt tensioner. its a pulley that

will flex. the parts are not that expensive. but done thru a shop

will be more, because they tack on labor and charge more for

parts. if you are handy or know some one that is just make sure

the negative side of the battery is disconnected, saftey 1st.

good luck!

Sounds like a steering pump or steering gear problem. Remove Power sterring pump cap while engine is running and see if fluid is moving. GM's are bad about PS pump shafts breaking. If no fluid movement, Replace pS pump

There is a "pressure regulator" located in the pump just behind the high pressure line that directs high pressure fluid to the steering rack when you turn the steering wheel. It sounds like the regulator valve is sticking and not sending the high pressure fluid to the steering rack when you turn the wheel.
You can remove the pump and clean the valve, reinstall the pump and flush the steering system with fresh fluid or replace the pump and flush the system with new fluid.
Good luck.

A power steering pump will whine if it is low on fluid, when you turn the wheels you will hear the whine or if the power steering belt is to tight you will also hear the whine. You will not hear this whine when the truck is stopped.

check power steering fluid. first. if all good . power steering is going. your hydro boost brake system depends on the power steering pump if it goes out your brake go out.

You're going to have to bleed the system alot on those trucks. Just remove the return line and have an assistant turn the steering wheel back and forth just enough to engage the pump and filling the resevour while doing this. Keep bleeding until you have a good flow of P/S fluid out with no air bubbles. This can take a while.