Vibration and steering fluid loss

2005 CHEVROLET TAHOE

223,500 MILES • 5.0L • V8 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC

DALUN34

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Recently my SUV started leaking power steering fluid at low speed around town drives great at highway speed she vibrates so bad feels like shes coming apart

Jacked up front end removed both tires everything feels tight nothing loose did notice tie rod end boots both torn but rods still tight no play cant figure out what the problem is. any ideas would be great.

Jul 25, 2020 at 11:35 PM

ASEMASTER6371

CERTIFIED EXPERT
52,796 POSTS

Good morning,

Did you rotate the tires to see if the vibration stops?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/wheel-removal-and-re-installation

Good chance you have a shifted belt in a tire.

As far as the leak, was there any fluid in the boots that were ripped? If there was, the rack and pinion is the leak and must be replaced.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/steering-wheel-shakes-when-accelerating-or-braking

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-car-steering-works

Roy

Jul 26, 2020 at 5:16 AM

KASEKENNY

CERTIFIED EXPERT
18,907 POSTS

I am not sure these are related issues. However, if they are then I can only assume you have a power steering pump issue. I attached the process for replacing the pump as I suspect the low speed maneuvering is what is pushing the fluid out of the pump.

However, the high speed vibration could just be as simple as a steering damper or tire issue. The damper is located on the front of the suspension. Clearly the most likely cause of vibration at higher speeds is a loose suspension component but if you are saying they are all tight then the next likely cause would be the damper. Let me know if there is more detail that could help but I would suggest starting with testing the power steering pressure and going from there.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/power-steering-problems

Images (Click to enlarge)

Jul 26, 2020 at 5:22 AM