lost power steering today in my 2000 z71. pump has fluid in it.checked for broken hoses,don't see anything leaking and serp. belt is ok? can pump just go out like that?
Ive never had one go that way. Always simply faded when the fluid and tires got hot in combination. Could raise the engine rpm and would get the power steering back. Sometimes changing the fluid helped and sometimes it didnt.
I've seen the p/s pulley shaft break internally and it will look fine but, its in reality not doing anything. Pull the belt and then pull on the pulley, if it comes out, put a pump, if it doesn't budge, put a steering rack on it.
My girlfriend's PT Cruiser had the same problem. Steering working fine one second, then no power assist the next. The dealer replaced the rack and that didn't fix it. Then they replaced the pump and that fixed it.
If its not a broken shaft it could be (probably) the pressure control solonoid (2).
Edit: Apparently you can do a easy EVO delete on this unit by using GM part# 26009894 fitting and Gates 353950 PS pressure line.
In any case do not toss the pump for a rebuilt unit, fix the original.