inquiring about power steering
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: florida
inquiring about power steering
my power steering has been extremely weak for about 6 months. it makes a grinding sound and runs weak or almost not at all. when i hit the gas while braking and turn the wheel it works better but not to full potential.
i want to know if there is an adjustment that can increase my output from the power steering motor or if i should just get a new one.
i want to know if there is an adjustment that can increase my output from the power steering motor or if i should just get a new one.
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
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From: Washington State
Just get a new one. But "what" do you get? A new gear or a new pump?? Hmmmm...I'd pull both. Make sure your gear moves without binding, that there are no kinks in the line(s). If it checks out okay go ahead and replace the pump.
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Long Island USA
I'd say that if you rev the engine and the power assist comes on, that means the pump is getting weak. A leaking spool valve or just plain tired steering gear wouldn't change much when revving the engine.
I think ...
I think ...
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
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From: Washington State
Originally Posted by krewat
I think ...
But not enough fluid getting to it at idle or lower RPM due to a clog, leak or kinked line may give the same symptoms as a weak pump too, right? Binding that can be overcome with a higher fluid pressure would give the same symptom as well wouldn't it?
Last edited by Monsta; Oct 21, 2007 at 12:58 AM.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Long Island USA
Hmm...
A kinked line or clog would lower the FLOW - not the pressure. A weak pump will not develop as much pressure as a new one until the RPMs come up.
So, here's a test - if you can move the steering wheel very slowly at idle with little effort, but a fast movement takes a lot of effort, that's FLOW.
If it just won't move until you get up the RPMs no matter how fast or slow you push the steering wheel, that's PRESSURE.
From the pump's point of view.
The box is another story. A leaky spool valve will leak no matter what, so no matter the RPMs, the steering won't get easier. But, worn ***** (yeah, I said *****) in the box will let more fluid past without doing anything.
The question is, does a good power steering pump develop max pressure at near-idle using a bypass valve to blow off too much pressure, or does it scale up from idle to past 3000RPMs? I've never hooked up a pressure gauge to a good pump
I don't know, it's Sunday morning and my eyes are still fuzzy ...
A kinked line or clog would lower the FLOW - not the pressure. A weak pump will not develop as much pressure as a new one until the RPMs come up.
So, here's a test - if you can move the steering wheel very slowly at idle with little effort, but a fast movement takes a lot of effort, that's FLOW.
If it just won't move until you get up the RPMs no matter how fast or slow you push the steering wheel, that's PRESSURE.
From the pump's point of view.
The box is another story. A leaky spool valve will leak no matter what, so no matter the RPMs, the steering won't get easier. But, worn ***** (yeah, I said *****) in the box will let more fluid past without doing anything.
The question is, does a good power steering pump develop max pressure at near-idle using a bypass valve to blow off too much pressure, or does it scale up from idle to past 3000RPMs? I've never hooked up a pressure gauge to a good pump
I don't know, it's Sunday morning and my eyes are still fuzzy ...
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 97
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From: florida
it cant be a flow problem because it does the same moving fast as it does slow. once i rev it works better but still sux and if i let off the gas it pulls back because the power stering dies out. even while i move it is crap. its all based on my rpms. im gong to check for leaks or kinks but i doubt i have any. is it normal to have that grinding noise with weak steering?
