Power steering (might be going out)
#1
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OK, so here's the deal. My SC300 is a 1992 with 128,xxx miles on it. All of the sudden, my power steering is making a weird, almost straining like noise when i take turns etc. It usually happens in the morning or when I first start teh car up, but since I'm in FL right now, i don't think its b/c of cold weather. It has been in much colder weather before and hasn't made this noise. It goes out after a little driving around, but sometimes it comes back. I'm not sure what is wrong with it. I have looked, not too closely, in the engine and can't see any leakage from the power steering pump onto the alternator. Any ideas, or should I have a mechanic look at it?
#3
Intermediate
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Sounds exactly like the problem I had with mine. It turned out NOT to be the power steering pump itself, but rather the metal filter that goes on the bottom of the PS pump reservoir. Try removing the metal filter from the bottom of the reservoir before doing anything else.
The filter gets clogged over time, which prevents fluid from getting to the pump. You should replace it with a new filter, although I did not do this. I've run mine without the filter for over a year now. If that's not the problem, I paid $90 for a rebuilt pump at Auto Zone.
The filter gets clogged over time, which prevents fluid from getting to the pump. You should replace it with a new filter, although I did not do this. I've run mine without the filter for over a year now. If that's not the problem, I paid $90 for a rebuilt pump at Auto Zone.
#4
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I've run mine without the filter for over a year now.
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Last edited by O. L. T.; 01-30-04 at 08:10 AM.
#5
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RPH, thanks for the response. I had a feeling that it was a alck of fliuid getting to the unit, but I don't know much about the construction of power steering pumps and reservoirs. Anyways, I will take the filter out this weekend and get a new one. How hard of a job was it? Any special tools needed? I am at college, so I don't have a garage, etc. that I can work in like at home and my tools are limited to basic tool boxes, etc. Do you have any pictures that could help me? Thanks.
#6
Intermediate
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It is not necessary to remove the reservoir from the power steering pump to remove the filter. You should be able to get it out with just a long screwdriver. The filter sits at the bottom of the reservoir. It'll take a little patience, since the hole you're working with is pretty small.
If you do decide to remove the reservoir from the pump, it's an easy job. Take off the rubber hose connected to the pump. Also remove the bolts holding the reservoir. I circled the bolt on the front side. You don't have to take the drivebelt off to get to it, but the hole in the pulley will have to be in the correct spot. Just turn the ignition a few times until it happens to stop in the right spot. There's also a bolt on the back side of the reservoir. You may want to drain some ps fluid out if you don't want fluid to go everywhere when pulling the reservoir out.
If you do decide to remove the reservoir from the pump, it's an easy job. Take off the rubber hose connected to the pump. Also remove the bolts holding the reservoir. I circled the bolt on the front side. You don't have to take the drivebelt off to get to it, but the hole in the pulley will have to be in the correct spot. Just turn the ignition a few times until it happens to stop in the right spot. There's also a bolt on the back side of the reservoir. You may want to drain some ps fluid out if you don't want fluid to go everywhere when pulling the reservoir out.
#7
Intermediate
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Originally posted by O. L. T.
The filter isn't to protect the pump, it's to protect the rack.... a much pricier item. After a year i'd say you have enough shavings in your steering rack to see problems within this year... a $1000 or better repair. Thats the reason why it get's clogged "so easily" is the debris coming off the rack, now all that debris is in your rack and not the filter
The filter isn't to protect the pump, it's to protect the rack.... a much pricier item. After a year i'd say you have enough shavings in your steering rack to see problems within this year... a $1000 or better repair. Thats the reason why it get's clogged "so easily" is the debris coming off the rack, now all that debris is in your rack and not the filter
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Now you're making me worry-I think I'll get myself a new filter and put it in!
Last edited by RPH74; 01-30-04 at 09:22 AM.
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#8
Lead Lap
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My pump also went out on my SC3 the other week 1/16/04 to be exact on my way up to the frisco. I didn't really have any warning except for some slight noise when turning and then pretty much I've been driving without power steering for a week which is a pain. I can live with it until I save up some money for another pump.
#10
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Don't forget the filter beneath the solenoid on your steering rack. Drain your power steering fluid, pull the reservoir and the solenoid, hose both filters with carb cleaner, make sure everything is clean, and replace. If it persists, to whine, jack up the front end and turn the steering wheel a few times with the cap off the reservoir and let some air out.
#13
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Same boat here, except that mine gets worse with driving, especially high-speed driving
What is the approved method of getting air out of the system? I tried turning the wheel lock to lock repeatedly (car running, cap off), but all that seemed to do was froth the fluid. If I turned the wheel hard at the end, fluid actually spurted up about 6" out of the resevoir.
Any pics of the lower solenoid/filter combo? It's really getting time that I do something about this...
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What is the approved method of getting air out of the system? I tried turning the wheel lock to lock repeatedly (car running, cap off), but all that seemed to do was froth the fluid. If I turned the wheel hard at the end, fluid actually spurted up about 6" out of the resevoir.
Any pics of the lower solenoid/filter combo? It's really getting time that I do something about this...
Last edited by AaronE; 01-31-04 at 05:38 PM.
#14
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Originally posted by Deceptik1
My pump also went out on my SC3 the other week 1/16/04 to be exact on my way up to the frisco. I didn't really have any warning except for some slight noise when turning and then pretty much I've been driving without power steering for a week which is a pain. I can live with it until I save up some money for another pump.
My pump also went out on my SC3 the other week 1/16/04 to be exact on my way up to the frisco. I didn't really have any warning except for some slight noise when turning and then pretty much I've been driving without power steering for a week which is a pain. I can live with it until I save up some money for another pump.