Power Steering Pump
Power Steering Pump
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,948
Likes: 44
Its not really all that difficult, but a good set of line wrenches might be in order, and making room to work can be interesting but all in all its not all that bad.
For the weekend do it yourselfer, starting earlier than later would be best, just in case of snags. Obtaining all of the parts necessary before hand is also a plus. Returning cores and such is always easier after the job is complete.
Now lets talk about the whine. Usually pumps get changed when it is not necessary. Quick question and you will see where I am going with this.
When was the last time you changed your power steering fluid?
If you answered "last month", and the properlem persists, then you can assume that the pump has seen its better days, but if you fall into the normal category, then you have never changed the fluid and only had the kid at the local grease rack top it of with who knows what kind of fluid right?
Dont worry, the majority fit into the latter of categories.
The fix:
Scavenge through the kitchen drawers and find the wifes turkey baster, yes a turkey baster. Really, she probably would not mind a new one, but if she kicks you out of the kitchen, you can get one at a local 99 cent store for,,,,,99 cents.
With turkey baster in hand, remove the old fluid from the reservior. Remove as much as you can get without turning the vehicle on. You will notice through the opaque turkey baster that the fluid is not clean, nor is it free from drebris and suspended solids.
Once all of the fluid is removed, replace with fresh approved and compatable power steering fluid and start the vehicle. Turn the wheels from lock to lock to remove any air, and I would be willing to bet that the whine will go away. Repeat the process at least one more time, since you were only able to remove about half of the old fluid and once you have nice clean fluid again, you should probably be trouble free for a few more years.
Here is the deal, I like to explain why; When hydraulic fluid experiences any heat cycle, it breaks down, and once it breaks down it loses its ability to function. It will no longer clean, so the detergents cant break down the gum build up, and they oxidize. During this break down process the fluid loses its ability to resist foam and becomes unstable. Foam is "air" in the system and this air is being pushed around and the problem continues to get worse. This creates the "cavitation" which is responsible for the dreaded whine.
I have saved many hours of work by just replacing the fluid, and suggest that you try the same. Worst case is, if it does not fix your problem, you are only out a few bucks in fluids, and you are the owner of a turkey baster.
Much luck.......
For the weekend do it yourselfer, starting earlier than later would be best, just in case of snags. Obtaining all of the parts necessary before hand is also a plus. Returning cores and such is always easier after the job is complete.
Now lets talk about the whine. Usually pumps get changed when it is not necessary. Quick question and you will see where I am going with this.
When was the last time you changed your power steering fluid?
If you answered "last month", and the properlem persists, then you can assume that the pump has seen its better days, but if you fall into the normal category, then you have never changed the fluid and only had the kid at the local grease rack top it of with who knows what kind of fluid right?
Dont worry, the majority fit into the latter of categories.
The fix:
Scavenge through the kitchen drawers and find the wifes turkey baster, yes a turkey baster. Really, she probably would not mind a new one, but if she kicks you out of the kitchen, you can get one at a local 99 cent store for,,,,,99 cents.
With turkey baster in hand, remove the old fluid from the reservior. Remove as much as you can get without turning the vehicle on. You will notice through the opaque turkey baster that the fluid is not clean, nor is it free from drebris and suspended solids.
Once all of the fluid is removed, replace with fresh approved and compatable power steering fluid and start the vehicle. Turn the wheels from lock to lock to remove any air, and I would be willing to bet that the whine will go away. Repeat the process at least one more time, since you were only able to remove about half of the old fluid and once you have nice clean fluid again, you should probably be trouble free for a few more years.
Here is the deal, I like to explain why; When hydraulic fluid experiences any heat cycle, it breaks down, and once it breaks down it loses its ability to function. It will no longer clean, so the detergents cant break down the gum build up, and they oxidize. During this break down process the fluid loses its ability to resist foam and becomes unstable. Foam is "air" in the system and this air is being pushed around and the problem continues to get worse. This creates the "cavitation" which is responsible for the dreaded whine.
I have saved many hours of work by just replacing the fluid, and suggest that you try the same. Worst case is, if it does not fix your problem, you are only out a few bucks in fluids, and you are the owner of a turkey baster.
Much luck.......
