2004 Chev K1500 4x4 5.3.
Cousin ran the PS Pump low on fluid on his truck. When he added fluid, the steering wheel is really hard to turn at idle. Above idle at 1000 RPM, it turns like normal. So driving around it is OK. Just when at idle you can barely turn it like there is now power assist.
Chevrolet dealer quoted him 850.00 to replace the steering gear. My first gut instinct is the pump is not pumping enough fluid at idle. So I'm leaning towards replacing the pump.
Any way to tell for sure?
Also he wants me to change out the gearbox. How hard is it to get it out of there? Any special tools needed when it comes to the pitman arm?