Need Advice On POWER STEERING ....None at Idle ...

**denalixxx** · 01-10-2015

2004 Pontiac grand prix . (not supercharged) So i have replaced struts, control arms, power steering pump, new rack and pin both return and pressure lines, flushed as well new tie rods and power steering is works fine when rpm over 1200 however at idle CANT MOVE dam wheel ...

any suggestions please THANKS

**QUICKSILVER462** · 01-10-2015

The first replacement PS pump for my car was like that, and additionally it wined real bad too. There is a chance you have a faulty replacement pump. Can you hear the engine slow down when you turn the steering wheel at idle? Because the pump should slow the engine down just a little bit with the load at idle, but then the engine should speed up slightly on its own as the ECM try's bring the idle back.

**dgjks6** · 01-10-2015

I went through this last week. Did you by any chance get the pump at Autozone?

**denalixxx** · 01-10-2015

Originally Posted by dgjks6

I went through this last week. Did you by any chance get the pump at Autozone?

Yes its from autozone

**dgjks6** · 01-10-2015

Same thing with me. I took the pump back and got another one and problem solved. Took a few hours to change the first one, but second one was less than a half hour.

**dgjks6** · 01-10-2015

Also used transmission fluid instead of the prestone power steering fluid on the second round at the recommendation of the guy at aurozone

**denalixxx** · 01-10-2015

this would be 3rd one then .... trans fluid ?

**denalixxx** · 01-10-2015

u had same issue with no power steering at idle as well right ? i can do the pump in hour i need it running asap

**denalixxx** · 01-10-2015

i guess i will replace pump again .....

**denalixxx** · 01-10-2015

so i just turned wheel 15 times with off and then on and micro bubbles were seen in the power steering fluid .... meaning air still in the system and i can actually see fluid movement with engine on and prior never really saw it moving strange gonna keep turning wheel until no more foam or bubbles

**Scottydoggs** · 01-10-2015

trans fluid is the same thing as p/s fluid, its hydraulic fluid. changing fluid wont help.

**denalixxx** · 01-10-2015

Originally Posted by Scottydoggs

trans fluid is the same thing as p/s fluid, its hydraulic fluid. changing fluid wont help.

Scottydoggs..... my strut mount "isolators" the rubber between the spring and strut housing is worn down badly and the question is it normal for the "spring" to
rotate when the steering wheel is turned ? cuz now when i turn the spring is rubbing hard and moves or shall i say rotates but gets stuck and then "jams" up sometimes ?

**dgjks6** · 01-10-2015

Did lines and rack and pinion and still had grinding noise. Replaced the pump and got worse. Grinding and hard to turn at idle. Replaced pump again and all is well.

I also put a new belt on cause I was there.