Thread: Power steering issues

Car is an 02 Anniversary GTP 189000 KMS.

the return line (not under pressure) wore out and blew off dumping my fluid on the highway... luckily no one was behind me. drove back home after work (25kms round trip) and parked it in the garage.

Hose clamped the blown off hose and tested it. seemed to do the trick and since it wasnt the pressurized line i figured it would do.

Well were 5 days after that and the steering isnt fixed. Its intermittant at best. comes on and works, then goes away for 10 minutes. The pump is also whining pretty badly. I put a screwdriver up to it and listened while running and its definitely the pump.

Did I burn it out? I'm replacing it this weekend anyways to see if that solves the problem.

What power steering fluid is recommended with theses cars? I'm on GTP 4 right now and I've never picked up a specific type and stuck with it. What has given you guys the best performance?

Should I do all the hose while im down there? If this one broke and I have it temporarily fixed.. how long until the other hoses blow off too?

I tried searching and came up with some information but nothing that answered all my questions.

Thanks guys,
Derek

i use any old p/s fluid. dont really matter. and it sounds like the pump took a crap from running dry. im guessing the rubber return line that clamps on the pump blew out. id replace that line if the rubber is bad. all dry rotted. most of the time cutting off the broken part and putting it back on the pump works out ok.

unless its only hard to turn to the left, then the rack could be on its way out.

Its hard to turn both ways.... That means the rack is going bad as well? How can I check? It hasnt moved other than a trip to work and back (25kms) once since fixing the line that blew off. Hasnt leaked again, still have full fluid but the steering hasnt come back.

How difficult is the rack to do on the floor in your garage?? would a day be enough time to do the entire thing-Pump, hoses and rack?

I think it was you that had the write up on how to replace it. I'll go have a search now. I really dont want to do the rack. Hoping its still good.

start with a new pump, they are cheap. being you drove it dry i bet it died.

lets hope its not a rack, not the worst job to do but no fun either, i did mine in like 4 hours alone first time out.

for the pump, you need a GM power steering pulley puller, it will take your old one off, and put it back on the new pump. you can do the free rental deal for them or buy one. the one i got was 30 bucks. the pump was like 40, i got a duralast, we all know how we like to crap on duralast, but this pump is dead quiet, not a peep from it in the last 2 years.

Thanks for the help Scotty.

try not to drive it with a dead pump, the rack will die if you do it for to long.

Yeah, shes been parked for a week now. Driving the wifes 09 escape...... *shudders*

Will attempt to fix it tonight and update

Finished her off last night. Pulled the pump and replaced it with a reman. Bought a brand new pulley as this one looked like it wasn't pulled off properly. Bit of a bend in it, spend 60 bucks and get a new pulley.

Did both hoses as well. Those are fun laying on your back turning a quarter turn at a time. All is good now. no whines or leaks and i have steering. Just a little stiff upon startup but it'll work its way out. haven't driven it anywhere.

Rack did look like it was leaking a bit. Ill keep an eye on that and see if it becomes an issue. Last thing that can go bad now.

sounds good.

stop by a cardboard dumpster then cut open a box and park over it at night, that way you'll know if its leaking.

Wondering if you might be able to offer any more advice.

Upon startup the pump howls quite loudly for around 5 minutes. Its -25celsius here and i let it warm up for 5-10 before driving anyways.

Is it because its new and has to break in or something? I've never had one whine before after swapping the pump out, usually its quite as can be.

some brands make noise, some dont, or it could just be cause its very cold out and the fluids to thick till it warms up some.