Hydraulic Power Assist Steering System problems of the 1998 Chevrolet 1500

I own a 98 chevy pick up, as well as a 96 GMC suburban, and have had numerous problems with the power steering on both vehicles. The pick up has been exceptionally bad with the "harder" left turns, and the "overly" easy right turns, or jerks. Travelling on the highway with either vehicle, if you adjust the steering for a crosswind, they will fight going left (this is not constant, which makes it worse as it is unexpected) and launch to the right with the slightest touch (also not constant). I believe that these vehicles could easily be included in the recall. I had spoken with a local dealer after hearing of a power steering related recall pending (in October 2003) and was assured no such thing was going on, and my vehicles would not be involved anyway. I have shown Jan. 10th 2004 as an incident date, as the form could not be completed without that information. This has however been a problem on and off since purchasing the truck (new in July 98) and the suburban (used in Jan. 99) also, since purchasing the 96 suburban, I have had to replace the lower (mounted on bottom of pump) power steering line twice, due to breakage and leaks, and I now have another (replaced same hose on pick-up) leak somewhere in the pick-ups power steering system (it has been too cold to wash the vehicle properly under the hood, so I can inspect hoses, but am fairly certain it is once again the same hose).

When making a left hand turn at low speeds vehicle temporarily lost power steering. Dealerships mechanic was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

I have been having power steering problems with my 1998 Chevrolet silverado c1500 pickup since 2001. It will suddenly oversteer with the slightest movement of the steering wheel, and has nearly caused me serious problems at speed. It does not do it constantly, but occurs more or less several times a day down to once every two or three days. When I asked the service department at the chevy dealership in alamogordo, nm about it I was told "they all do that - don't worry about it. " when I was concerned about an increase in the phenomenon I contacted the service department at jones Chevrolet in sumter, SC, and was told that "they all do it," but there was a manufacturer's recall or notice of some sort, and to bring it in. When I brought it in, the service advisor said that the individual I spoke with was mistaken but refused to elaborate, and that it was not a safety issue. I disagree, and I believe it is a problem across the gm spectrum, as eveidenced by the recall regarding power steering issues identical to mine earlier this year. I have emailed gm's customer site without response, and I am now of the opinion that it will not be acknowledged by gm without some sort of stimulus. As I stated, the problems began in 2001, and continue to the present.

Power steering sensor failed. Nlm.

Power steering sensor failed. Yh.