Thread: Noisy Power Steering

I just thought I’d share my noisy power steering pump story for anyone who might be interested/affected. Just for a little back ground, the pump started to make a noticeable amount of noise last winter. So I checked the fluid level, then I didn’t concern myself with it. This summer it would intermittently growl at me, and then after a couple minutes of driving it would be quiet again not a big deal. It recently came to a head when I was carting around a buddy of mine (whom also is a GP fan) and he’s like “you’re low on fluid man”. Being a maintenance freak, I was a little embarrassed and told him it’s not low the pump is just a little noisy today. But that it got me thinking maybe I should just change out the fluid, even though the noise did start when the car was nearly new. So I went to work with some Prestone power steering fluid and a turkey baster. Cutting to the chase the fresh fluid cured the noisy pump, and has made me a happy camper. The rest of this is a how to for the non-motor heads out there.

The power steering pump buried under the alternator. I first moved the coolant reservoir out of the way, it is only held down by (2) 10mm nuts. Now that I could clearly see the steering pump, I removed the cap and used the baster to get out as much fluid as I could. I managed to remove about 8 ounces, and it looked really dirty kind of like used engine oil. Then I cleaned off the baster and also used it to put the new fluid in. After filling it to between the cold-hot markers on the cap dip stick, I secured the cap and started the car. After moving the steering wheel side to side a couple times the power steering pump was still pretty noisy. I turned the car off, and proceeded to exchange another 8 ounces of fluid. This time around I discovered the bottle of power steering fluid can be set right next to the oil filter/power steering pump for easy access. Also, I put all my waste fluid into an empty windshield washer container. After the second exchange the pump has been very quiet, it is like I’m driving a different car.

my PS pump whines a little, and the fluid did look really dark.. maybe i should try this. Its funny though because every time i see a grand prix go by i always hear a little whine from the engine

i did the whole turkey baster thing to get fresh fluid in there. didn't help any though. mine still whines a little. and growls intermittently at idle in Drive. soo yup just gonna do a new pump.

not to steer the subject but whats the best way to remove/install the pulleys on these pumps? rent a puller/installer or have it done or can it be done with regular tools?

i researched it and looks like i need a puller/installer. gonna be replacing my pump within the week..probably next weekend.

When I worked at a Toyota Dealership, we used to do power steering flushes all the time. The pumps were located up at the top of the engine bay usually. All we did was remove the return line from the resivoir, and plug off the little tit on the resivoir with a cap. The return hose we pulled off would go into an old washer fluid jug or similar. Someone else would jump in the drivers seat and fire the car up while the other person continuously poured new powersteering fluid in the resivoir, and the old used fluid would return to the washer jug. The car was shut off when the fluid being pumped into the washer jug was clean fluid.

Is there no way of carrying out a similar process on these cars?


Jay

Originally Posted by oneil.GTP

id recommend renting a puller. normally u pay for it then reimbursed when its returned.

and try the baster again.. just tried it out on mine and didn't work first, but figured id suck some more and its gone. maybe a temp fix, who knows. too cold outside i know that.

k well i did it one more time like u suggested. the "old" fluid come out pretty thick so this time should make it pretty new fluid.
i doubt this will help as i'm pretty sure the pump is just shot. but i'll let you know

Originally Posted by 98GPGT2D

When I worked at a Toyota Dealership, we used to do power steering flushes all the time. The pumps were located up at the top of the engine bay usually. All we did was remove the return line from the resivoir, and plug off the little tit on the resivoir with a cap. The return hose we pulled off would go into an old washer fluid jug or similar. Someone else would jump in the drivers seat and fire the car up while the other person continuously poured new powersteering fluid in the resivoir, and the old used fluid would return to the washer jug. The car was shut off when the fluid being pumped into the washer jug was clean fluid.

Is there no way of carrying out a similar process on these cars?


Jay

yes you can. but im just too lazy to pull of the hose, buy a bunch of fluid, make a mess, have someone else crank it and blah blah blah.
lol

nm... I found it

Anyone have a write up to replace the ps pump on 04+ gp?

well, if they set up is the same as 97-03 like most everything else is, then it's simple as pie. two bolts hold on the pump, clamp on the return hose, and take a wrench to the pressure line and viola.
make sure to put a new o-ring on the pressure line.

Just so I understand this correctly, my ps pump whines..so I put in a new ps pump the whine goes away or do I need to adjust/remove something else too?

if it's JUST whining and you have no steering issues, you may need more fluid (check level) or you may need to replace the old fluid.

other than that, just suck all the fluid out, unhook lines, change pump and reverse with new fluid. and viola. just dont get a a-1 cardone remanufactured pump. i got one and i seen no change at all. got a used pump from morads for half the price and it was golden.

The ps pump is cheap and easy to put on but getting to it sucks!

i had more problems fitting a wrench on the pressure line than i did getting to the pump. and i didn't even take off the alternator.

im skinny haha

What size are the bolts on it? Why shouldn't I get the a-1? Should I get a new pulley and belt too?