'93 AWD Steering Groan
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 31
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'93 AWD Steering Groan
I've got a '93 AWD w/137k miles on it that I purchased about 3 months ago (alas, had to "put down" my original '93 AWD w/274k miles). When moving forward/backward/sitting-still and turning left or right, I get a very low-pitched audible groan (not coming from the pump) and somewhat of a vibration up the steering column. Seems perfect (no groan) when normal driving (> 10mph) and turning. PS pump and lines all seem in good external physical shape (no signs of cracks, leaking or damage). If I overinflate the tires (say 35psi), it improves...underinflating makes it worse (so it seems it's stress/friction sensitive). I'm praying it's not the R&P as I see it takes an act of Congress to remove that thing from an AWD.
Ideas?
Ideas?
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 586
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From: Tottenham Ontario Canada
Try flushing out the old PS fluid with new stuff. There are two ways to do this:
1) Suck as much of the fluid out of the reservoir as possible with a turkey baster. Refill with new fluid. Start the engine and turn the steering from lock to lock a few times. Shut off the engine, suck out the fluid with a turkey baster, refill with new... Do this a half dozen or more times until the fluid coming out looks clean & new.
2) You will need a helper for this method. Disconnect the fluid return hose that comes from the rack to a nipple on the bottom of the reservoir. Be prepared to catch the fluid that will drain out as soon as the hose is off. Route the return hose into a container - it's easier if you can add an extension to the hose. Put a cap on the return nipple on the reservoir and fill the reservoir with clean fluid. Have a helper start the engine and turn the steering lock to lock repeatedly while you keep the reservoir topped up with new fluid - all the used fluid will end up in your catch bottle. Keep going until the fluid going into the catch bottle looks clean and new. Reconnect the return hose to the reservoir and refill with new fluid.
Whichever method you use, expect to use a couple of quarts / liters of fluid for this procedure. It will be easier on your tires if you put the front of the van on stands first.
I recommend using a proper power steering fluid in the system. I had a back groan a couple of years ago which was caused by filling the system with ATF rather than power steering fluid. I flushed it using method 1, and the groan subsided again.
Cheers,
Eric
1) Suck as much of the fluid out of the reservoir as possible with a turkey baster. Refill with new fluid. Start the engine and turn the steering from lock to lock a few times. Shut off the engine, suck out the fluid with a turkey baster, refill with new... Do this a half dozen or more times until the fluid coming out looks clean & new.
2) You will need a helper for this method. Disconnect the fluid return hose that comes from the rack to a nipple on the bottom of the reservoir. Be prepared to catch the fluid that will drain out as soon as the hose is off. Route the return hose into a container - it's easier if you can add an extension to the hose. Put a cap on the return nipple on the reservoir and fill the reservoir with clean fluid. Have a helper start the engine and turn the steering lock to lock repeatedly while you keep the reservoir topped up with new fluid - all the used fluid will end up in your catch bottle. Keep going until the fluid going into the catch bottle looks clean and new. Reconnect the return hose to the reservoir and refill with new fluid.
Whichever method you use, expect to use a couple of quarts / liters of fluid for this procedure. It will be easier on your tires if you put the front of the van on stands first.
I recommend using a proper power steering fluid in the system. I had a back groan a couple of years ago which was caused by filling the system with ATF rather than power steering fluid. I flushed it using method 1, and the groan subsided again.
Cheers,
Eric
