No brakes or powersteering

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Kristos99
I am merely driving my van
I am merely driving my van
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No brakes or powersteering

Post by Kristos99 »

I have a 2002 Astro that the brakes and power steering both quit working. I am trying to determine what went bad. I am not sure if it could be the power steering pump or the hydroboost. Can anyone tell me how to determine which is bad? I do not see any leaks and the reservoir is still full.

LiftedAWDAstro
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Re: No brakes or powersteering

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

Pump. The hydroboost is only for the brakes.
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition

Mileage spreadsheet

Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy

Topic author
Kristos99
I am merely driving my van
I am merely driving my van
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Joined: Sun Feb 16, 2014 4:06 am

Re: No brakes or powersteering

Post by Kristos99 »

Thanks much. I will replace the pump. I appreciate your help.

xshuey
I am merely driving my van
I am merely driving my van
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Re: No brakes or powersteering

Post by xshuey »

The same thing happened to me. It was my serpintine belt. Hope your as lucky
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doyoulikeithere
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Re: No brakes or powersteering

Post by doyoulikeithere »

if the serpentine belt is still there, it will be the pump.
2021 Yamaha Tenere 700 - Blue.
2016 Yamaha XSR900 - Silver.
1990 Astro - AWD - Brown.
1987 Astro - With 5 Speed & 4wd - Silver & Blue.

Topic author
Kristos99
I am merely driving my van
I am merely driving my van
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Joined: Sun Feb 16, 2014 4:06 am

Re: No brakes or powersteering

Post by Kristos99 »

Thanks for all you help folks. The belt is good. I am going to replace the pump as soon as the weather/snow breaks here south of Chicago. This winter has been tooooooooo long! Will let you all know how it goes.
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1Gary
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Re: No brakes or powersteering

Post by 1Gary »

People rave about these hydro boost brakes and not so much from me.The vacuum boost brakes I had on my 85 blew away the one that where on the 94LT and the 94 had the larger upgraded front pads and brand new rotors on it. Atleast if the brakes on the 85 had problem,it didn't effect the steering as well.
1979 Malibu drag race only car
1999 Sonoma 4.3 5 speed-Rufus
1989 Astro-Ole Yellar cancelled-still selling off parts
1985 Astro-shop van R.I.P. my friend
1994 Astro LT RWD W4.3 rod knock RIP
1982 Winnebago single rear wheel-Chevy 350 Scraped 1/28/13-broken dreams......


Rochester,NY
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Rileysowner
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Re: No brakes or powersteering

Post by Rileysowner »

I had the exact same problem on my '97. Replaced the pump and all was well. I wouldn't want to do it in the winter though. It was hard enough in the warm weather of the summer.
"I have a torque wrench and I am not afraid to use it."
Jim
1997 GMC Safari RWD, Power Windows and Locks, 7 passenger, a/c, rear heat

http://rileysowner.blogspot.com/
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doyoulikeithere
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Re: No brakes or powersteering

Post by doyoulikeithere »

I have had about 5 astro vans now, and I have had only 2 of these pumps fail.
Both times it was in the winter. Also, Both times, I was burning donuts in a snowy parking lot when it failed.
You know, Foot hard on the gas, steering wheel cranked all the way to one side, then to the other, over and over.
Workin that pump real hard, yaknow? It was fun while it lasted, then limped home.... Is there a lesson to be learned there?
2021 Yamaha Tenere 700 - Blue.
2016 Yamaha XSR900 - Silver.
1990 Astro - AWD - Brown.
1987 Astro - With 5 Speed & 4wd - Silver & Blue.

LiftedAWDAstro
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
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Re: No brakes or powersteering

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

Lesson…yeah…do donuts in summertime! :muhaha:
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition

Mileage spreadsheet

Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
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doyoulikeithere
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Re: No brakes or powersteering

Post by doyoulikeithere »

LiftedAWDAstro wrote:Lesson…yeah…do donuts in summertime! :muhaha:
=D> Ok !
2021 Yamaha Tenere 700 - Blue.
2016 Yamaha XSR900 - Silver.
1990 Astro - AWD - Brown.
1987 Astro - With 5 Speed & 4wd - Silver & Blue.
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Vanjoe
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Re: No brakes or powersteering

Post by Vanjoe »

Brake lines burst. First to the rear... I needed the van so I put a bolt into the ABS module and drove with just front brakes. Then a bicycle pulled in front of me as I did a right on red. Stomped on the brakes and front line burst. (ran over bike but not the college kid on it)
Replaced ALL lines and while they were off tried to do the resoldier on the ABS control module only to learn my 1998 did not have the Kelsy Haynes 325 and it did not have bad soldier joints.
Put all lines in along with the non working ABS Cm. COULD NOT get rear brakes to blead. Did my bleeding with engine off. Then had a friend help pump brakes while I did the bleeders. We got a good hard peddle but no fluid or working brakes on the rear. Whatever, I needed the van. TEST DRIVE..... I have NO power steering and NO power assist to the brakes! Had to stand on the brake peddle with BOTH feet and pull on the steering wheel to work the brakes. WHAT THE HELL???????
ok, NOT MUCH CLEAR INFO ONLINE ON THIS. Sounds like a computer is needed attached to the van to tell the ABS to ALLOW bleeding. Or maybe using a vaccum bleeder or pressure bleeder. I tried to add power to the elctric motor on the ABS control Module to get it to pump fluid but it appears my ABS elc. motor is not working.

Anyone have any helpful hints? I note many people have out grown their old Astros and don't come to forums much. If I didnt really like my Astro AND had the money I would replace it but it has been more trouble than a good dependable vehicle for almost 2 years.
Anyone still around and have info on this weird deal? Power steering quit from bleeding the brakes and no power assist to the brake system.
1998 Astro. Sterling Hi-top Conversion. 1st Second gen owned.
Former ....
90 Astro shorty conversion,$500 short term driver
91 ext Astro bad body,bad motor $325, became a 350/4bl cruiser with all under hood acces working.TOTALED..my fault
88 Astro shorty conversion 177k-270k,threw rod. $2500
85 Astro mint body ...totaled 9 days later...not my fault. Paid $1k, insurance gave me $2k
86 Astro shorty 147k-242k, $2500. sold running!

ihatemybike
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Re: No brakes or powersteering

Post by ihatemybike »

No power steering or brakes?
That indicates a problem in the power steering / brake hydroboost system. Usually low fluid or bad pump.

I replaced all the brake lines on my 1999, bled with the engine running and they were decent. I then went and did some hard braking on gravel to get the ABS to kick in, then bled the brakes again. They were pretty good after that.
Aaron

2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86

ihatemybike
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Re: No brakes or powersteering

Post by ihatemybike »

Also, please teach yourself braking via:
engine braking by downshifting
and
shifting into neutral/using the e-brake
Aaron

2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
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Vanjoe
I get chills without my van.
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Re: No brakes or powersteering

Post by Vanjoe »

Yep do all that now. And since abs quit a couple winters ago I downshift often.... especially around snowy corners.
Done with brakes for now.... looking for a write up on replacing the PS pump. Started tearing it down last night. Gonna finally replace the AC compressor... thats a real PITA project. Did it with a used compressor and it didnt last long enough to have the system recharged.
And on the list..... find the dang electrical gremblin that drains the battery overnight often but not always.
Concider the power seat or electric locks wires. And this showed up after I did the Big 3 and added some VERY well done wiring to a second amp, inverter and heavy duty power outlet. I was beyond anal doing the elctric so I really dont see it as the battery drain.

Looks like another week will be spent in the garage. If my first Astro was a Gen II, I would never buy another. LOved all my old Astros but none of them could tow my camper. One thing I love on Gen II is the mighty Vortec 4.3!
1998 Astro. Sterling Hi-top Conversion. 1st Second gen owned.
Former ....
90 Astro shorty conversion,$500 short term driver
91 ext Astro bad body,bad motor $325, became a 350/4bl cruiser with all under hood acces working.TOTALED..my fault
88 Astro shorty conversion 177k-270k,threw rod. $2500
85 Astro mint body ...totaled 9 days later...not my fault. Paid $1k, insurance gave me $2k
86 Astro shorty 147k-242k, $2500. sold running!
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