Repair Topics / Steering-1 / Power Steering-2 / Power Steering-3

Car and Truck Power Steering System Pump, Rack and Pinion, Ball Joints, Tie Rods, Idler Arms Pitman Arm, control Arms, Sway Bar Links Questions

Answer: Your problem could be a pressure side hose that has a rupture that only leaks in extreme conditions. Inspect to replace with new to repair problem.

Question: 1999 Pontiac Grand Am, miles: 89,000. I have been a mechanic for 20 odd years, but this problem has me stumped. I have replaced the power steering pump and the car still has no power steering and the pump smokes up when the car is running. Is there a filter somewhere that might need replacing? Should I go ahead and replace the rack and pinion?

Answer:   First make sure you have removed the pump caps off of the hose fittings. If ok, it appears you may have a stuck valve in the rack assembly. Replacing the rack should solve your problem.

Question: 2002 Cadillac Deville, mileage: 87,000. Could not find manual for this car until I found your site! Ordered it! Power steering is good turning right, no power turning left. Replaced PS pump with new one expecting to fix it, Is there any kind of bleeding procedure?

Answer:   The new pump should be self-bleeding by turning the wheels left and right. Let sit over night to release air bubbles, recheck fluid level.

Question: 1995 Dodge Neon, miles: 170,000 The other day my wife was driving the car and she said she suddenly lost power steering. She said she also smelled a burning smell soon after. I checked the power steering fluid level and it is well within the range. It is not totally at full though. Is the problem she is describing due to a leak in the line? Or something worse. Can you give me an estimate as to what you think it may be?

Answer: Possibly some rain or snow somehow splashed up onto the drive belt for the power steering causing the belt to slip which would also result in the burning smell that your wife experienced. Check the belt and replace it if it appears worn. Also, check for proper belt tension.

Question: 2001 Nissan Pathfinder, miles: 94,000. The truck is in cream puff shape. G sounds, (22 year old daughter tapped a bumper in front of her last Monday-left small dent on the trucks front bumper). Last night when I picked her up for work, as I pulled into the parking lot a loud grinding howl sound started from the power steering, home is only a mile away, once we got home popped the hood, fluid was half gone, this morning carport is full of power steering fluid.... We have rented a car, knowing it will need to be towed where ever we take it, since this car belong to a mother and two daughters (17-22), I would like to go in with a little ideal of what is going on.....I think either a hose or the pump is shot .....But the puzzle is there was no prior warning or leaking, just all of a sudden last night it screamed and dropped the fluid...I am in Austin Texas, do you know of a good trustworthy place; here to take it, and any idea the probability of what it is.... This is distressing to say the least...help in Austin ladies in distress.........

Answer:   Sounds like a high-pressure power steering hose has failed. Replace with new to repair problem.

Question: 2002 Oldsmobile Cutlass, mileage: 72,000. Just lately whenever I turn the steering wheel it is making a louder than normal noise from under the hood. Occasionally usually idling and standing still the wheel is hard to rotate until I rev the engine above idle. I have also noticed a green colored liquid dripping from the underneath of the vehicle to the rear of the engine bay. I bought power steering fluid but I'm unsure as how I should go about servicing the system. Once it is serviced, I am assuming the leak is from the steering system of course and can then go trace that. Any help you can offer in servicing the system and the rough location of the reservoir would be appreciated.

Answer:   The power steering pump and reservoir is located on the front of the engine driven by one of the fan belts. There is a removable cap on the top with a dipstick attached. With the engine off, fill this up to the full mark with power steering fluid. Replace the cap, start the engine and check for leaks. On the back of the pump are two hoses either one could be leaking. Check the tension of the drive belts on the pump, as they may be loose. Unless your power steering fluid is green, the liquid you described as green is coolant.

Question:   2001 Ford Ranger, mileage: 76,900. Hi guys....Yesterday it the engine died as I was driving, and I had to wrench the steering wheel hard to get it into a parking lot before it stopped rolling. Problem was a bad ground connection. Reconnected the ground wire and it started up just fine, however there was a little trail of red fluid under the truck, and some red fluid leaked under the hood. Now when I turn the steering wheel a good deal to the left or right and begin accelerating the steering wheel shudders momentarily.

Answer:   The red fluid was probably power steering fluid from the power steering reservoir. The fluid leaked out as a result of the steering wheel being turned with the engine off. If you refill the reservoir and drive the car, the power steering should start functioning properly. The shuddering is the result of air in the system. As you turn the wheel, the air will work its way out.

Question: 2000 Honda Accord, mileage 65,000. Several times when I have driven (slowly) through a small puddle of water it has stalled. I had to pull over and wait a minute or two and it restarted. Then, just recently, when it was raining the car lost power steering for about 5 to 10 seconds -- then it was back. This has happened twice. It also has developed a squeal that lasts only about 5 to 10 seconds when driving over pavement that is wet (although not through a "puddle"). Any suggestions as to what this could be. I sure need to get it fixed as these small village streets, not the place to be without power steering.

Answer:   Your described symptoms would indicate that the power steering belt is getting wet and slipping. This would explain the lack of power steering assist and the squeal. You may have to replace the belt because once they slip and glaze over, they would have to over tightened to prevent further slipping which would shorten the life of the various components driven by the belt.

Question: 1999 Ford F250, mileage: 160,000. I have replaced the power steering pump on my F-250 pickup. My power brakes work off the power steering pump. How do I "bleed" the power steering pump so my brakes work?

Answer: They should be self-bleeding. Work the brake pedal several times and turn the steering wheel several times. If this does not work, you may have a faulty pump. Wait over night to refill.

Question: 1998 Dodge Ram 2500, mileage: 162,000. The Main Power Steering Gear Box has a leak, I believe, at the Steering Wheel Shaft. However, my "Haynes Manual" has no information on how to disassemble it.

Answer:   Haynes does not tell you how to disassemble it because doing this yourself is not recommended. The parts inside require special knowledge and tools to rebuild properly. You need to get a professionally rebuilt.

Question: 1999 Ford Windstar, mileage: 147,000.  Noticed today that the power Steering fluid is dark gray/Black.  What has caused this and what needs to be fixed?  Thanks

Answer: Drain and change the fluid and if it turns gray/black in a short period, you may have the pump and/or the steering rack going bad.

Question: 2001 Mercedes E 320 Sedan, mileage: 40,000.  When I start the car in the mornings, the power steering whines loudly, the noise dies down as the engine warms up. But it is getting progressively worse each day.  There is nothing in the owner’s manual about where the intake is for power steering fluid.  It just keeps referring to (ATF) Auto Trans fluid is used.  Does the ATF intake double for the power steering as well.  I topped up the ATF this made the gear change smoother but did nothing for the power steering noise.  Can you help please?

Answer: The power steering fluid must be added to the power steering pump. On top of the pump is a large round cap.  Remove the cap to add the fluid. Only use manufacturer recommend fluid.

Question: 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe, mileage: 146,000.  While driving, the steering feedback will go to nothing. Does not affect steering of truck, but this feedback or tension is needed at speed, on curves etc.  It is intermittent.  Tire pressure has been checked and is the same in both front tires.  Power steering fluid is correct level.  Is there one component that controls this power assist?  Can there be air in the system being compressed?

Answer:   A power steering control module controls the speed sensitive power steering.  Depending upon the speed of the vehicle, it opens and closes an orifice controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid from the power steering pump.  The power steering control module will store fault codes that will tell you what component is malfunctioning.

Question: 2002 Toyota Avalon, mileage: 60,000.  What do I need to do to change the high pressure power steering hose. Are there any tricks?

Answer:  There are no tricks – you must remove the fittings on either end of the hose and replace with new hoses and refill the system. You can do this repair job with everyday tools, and as far as how tough the job is, its like my Dad always said (Bob) "it's just nut's and bolt's... not too bad".

Repair Topics / Steering-1 / Power Steering-2 / Power Steering-3

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