While driving at low a speed, the vehicle suddenly lost power steering and brakes.this was caused by the steel rod shaft breaking in the power steering pump. The mechanic stated the hydro boost system had malfunctioned.
1997 Chevrolet Astro: loss of power steering
11 of the 359 complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Astro describe loss of power steering.
- owner complaints
- 11
- of this car's complaints
- 3%
- recalls
- 0
Is there a fix? 1 service bulletin covers this area of the car. See below
Loss of power steering by model year
What owners say
There is a 1/2" metal shaft that goes into the pump that sheared off. I was making a hard right turn from a dead stop when the shaft snapped although I didn't know what had happened at the time. I only heard a noise but didn't know what it was at the time.. I lost the ability to steer and brake. I didn't know the brakes were gone until I began traveling down a hill and tried to slow down. The steering was very stiff and unresponsive. I was forced to slam the gearshift into park while traveling 35mph & using the emergency brake to stop. The pump cost $300 to replace but we have transmission damage as well with the repair bill still unknown. We had the vehicle towed.
Power steering pump shaft breaks without any indication that a malfunction has occurred which results in loss of power steering and brake control.
While driving about 70 MPH engine was making noise. Power steering and power brakes were affected.technician said that problem was with idler pulley and tension pulley.*ak after explosion like sound under the hood, the tensioner pulley disintegrated causing loss of power steering and power brakes.
Power steering failed while driving 5 MPH and then the power brakes did not work. Car was towed to dealer. Dealer reported power steering pump went and offered 50% assistance program to pay for the repair. Dealer also advised that the alignment was severely out and would also need to replace all four tires. When dealer went to do alignment, he now informs us that the steering components are bad: pitman arm, 2 inner tie rods, and 2 idler arms. Dealer claims this is due to lack of maintenance, I.e. Greasing. This is the second alignment we have had to have done on this van (4/98 first alignment and replaced four tires at that time also. Had the van for 11 months??) we feel that steering components have been defective from the beginning thus requiring two alignments and two new sets of tires in 40 months. I called gm chevrolet customer service 1‑800‑222‑1020 and they report no recurring problems with the power steering pump. I will call about steering components.
Engine has been cutting off excessively, causing a loss of power steering and power brakes. Dealer can't find the problem.
While backing out of a driveway at 10 MPH consumer lost power steering and brake control. Consumer had to pump the brakes until vehicle came to a stop.
Defective power steering pump, caused loss of steering. Also, ABS pump went out while driving at 5mph, causing loss of the brakes. Gasoline gauge is no longer working. Dealer has been contacted.
When driving vehicle the shaft on the power steering pump broke. Vehicle had no steering control / power brakes. The shaft went into the power steering pump. There was no warning. Took vehicle to dealer & informed by mechanic that a weakness had occurred in the shaft.
When the vehicle dies out there is no stopping abilitiy, when driving at 30mph vehicle dies, no steering capability, no notification or warning. Dealer contacted and cannot duplicate the problem.
While driving power steering went out, causing loss of brakes. Possible booster failure. *ak
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 1997 Chevrolet Astro power steering loss
Is loss of power steering a common problem on the 1997 Chevrolet Astro?
11 of 359 owner complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Astro (3%) mention loss of power steering. The model year with the most reports is 1995.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1997 Chevrolet Astro?
There are 0 recalls and 1 service bulletin for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1997 Chevrolet Astro
Wipers 30Brake failure 15Jerking 13Transmission failure 13Loss of power 12Pulling 10Fuel pump 9ABS 8Fuel gauge 8No deployment 7Power windows 7Fire or smoke 6Harsh shifting 6Slipping 6
VIN decoder
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