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Repair Topics / Steering-1 / Power Steering-2 / Power Steering-3
Car Power Steering System Pump,
Rack and Pinion, Ball Joints, Tie Rods,
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Bar Links Questions This
category contains featured questions as
examples. They relate to most vehicles.
Question: 1999 Lexus NSX 3.0,
mileage 56,000. Recently purchased this
Lexus used. From day one steering felt
stiff. When making a turn either left or
right past 1/2 turn you would get a
vibration thru the steering wheel and you
can hear a slight groaning sound. This
happens only at slow speed only 5 mph or
less. At higher speeds takes a little more
effort to make a turn. Rack/pinion was
changed by previous owner with a non/oem
type. Mechanic friend suggested changing p/s
pump, pressure/return line and flush and
bleed entire p/s system. After doing all
that it worked for about 20 miles then
gradually problems reappeared. Do you think
rack/pinion is the problem from the start?
Answer: Check the tires for tread
separation, replace as needed to recheck problem.
Question:
1999 Lexus LS400, mileage: 151,000. I noticed a
"humming" sound when turning to right or left. Took into
my mechanic who said fluid was low due to leak in rack
and pinion. They want about a $1400 to replace.
A friend suggested trying an additive to soften the
seals. It might buy me a few months. Make
sense to you? Is it ok to add when level is full?
In addition, how do you feel about rebuilt racks. Help
!... Thanks
Answer:
We do not recommend an additive like the one your
friend suggested because it softens the seals in the
pump and the power steering hoses. Do not over
fill your power steering reservoir. It you intend
on repairing the rack in a few months, just keep the
reservoir full in the mean time. Rebuilt power
steering racks from eAutoPartStore.com are the highest
quality at the lowest prices.
Question:
1999 Honda Prelude, mileage: 95,000. I have had
the steering rack replace three times by the same
mechanic and I am still having the same problem.
There is power steering fluid on top of the reservoir
and even on the underside of the hood above the
reservoir. The fluid seems to leak sometimes and
other times it does not. The fluid also appears to
be foaming up in the reservoir. The mechanic that
I took it to is trying to help me and has only charged
me once but this has been going on for too long and I
cannot afford to take it to a dealer and pay again.
What do you suggest?
Answer:
You are the victim of cheap auto parts, if you would
have started we top quality auto parts from
eAutoPartStore.com you wouldn't have these
problems, cheap auto parts are cheap for a reason they
are made with inferior material and second rate
technology. More and more and can find OEM car parts at
low internet prices, get the good stuff without the high
price. Now replace the steering parts with the good
stuff, go back to enjoying life.
Question:
1999 Ford Explorer,
mileage: 130,685. I'm trying to put my power
steering belt on which has broken. I cannot seem
to figure out how to get it over the pulley. I
live out in the country and towing fee would kill me.
Answer: There is a spring loaded belt
tensioner that needs to be re-tracked and held before
the new belt can be replaced.
Question:
1998 Honda Civic, mileage: 233,000. My car groans
and whines when driven at low speeds, like around a
parking lot. I thought it might have something to
so with the power steering pump but the noise doesn't
seem to change all that much when I turn the wheels.
The whine and groaning is noticeable when driving in a
straight line. The noise also does not go up and
down in pitch or volume when the engine is revved.
It is not noticeable when driving at highway speeds.
In a possibly unrelated problem, the headlights become
dimmer occasionally when the brakes are applied at low
engine rev. They do not immediately noticeably
brighten when I rev the engine. Thank you in
advance for all your help!
Answer:
Check the timing belt tension, it can whine like that,
if ok. We think the power steering pump is bad and needs
replacing.
Question:
1998 Dodge Caravan, mileage: 185,000. Can someone
please tell me where is the fill for my power steering
fluid? I found the stick measure in the back
of the engine, but I need to fill it and the noise is
terrible.
Answer:
The measuring “stick” you found is also the port or
opening to fill the power steering reservoir. Do
not add too much it is easy to over fill.
Question:
1999 Ford Explorer, miles: 89,000 Where is my power
steering fluid leaking if it only leaks at the upper
part of the reservoir and then stops leaking? This
leak will make the steering "sing" so I add fluid but it
only takes about 2 ounces to fill it back up to the fill
line. Because it takes so little to fill it up and
it doesn't leak out completely. I feel the leak must be
up high on the power steering fluid reservoir.
This has been going on for about 2 weeks. It takes
about a week before I have to refill it. Can you
tell me where you think it is leaking?
Answer:
Try remove the power steering pump to reseal the
reservoir to the pump housing.
Question: 2003 Ford Expedition, mileage:
42,000. I rebuilt my power steering box. When I say
rebuilt, I replaced all the seals that came in the
rebuild kit. There are two problems; First I’m not
getting full turning at the wheels, the steering wheel
turns 5 full turns. Did I get something in wrong or
second thing, it has a little growling sound when it's
hot or cold. Fluid level is ok. The pump is new, purged
& bleed. Growling sound only when turning. Please
help!!!
Answer: Looks like you probably need
to remove the steering box and replace with a different
rebuilt unit.
Question: 1999 Honda Prelude, mileage:
100,000: The power steering hose is a combination metal
tube/rubber hose. The rubber portion is leaking. Can I
cut the rubber portion off the metal tubing and attach a
new rubber portion with hose clamps on the remaining
metal ends?
Answer: No, they will not hold the
pressure of the power steering system. Replace steering
hoses with new, refill to recheck system.
Question: 1999
Honda Civic, mileage: 131,000. Manual Transmission. When
I turn sharp corners, I hear a deep humming sound from
my steering wheel area. It only happens when I make
really sharp turns. It sounds like a miserable moan.
What can I do to fix this?
Answer: The
hydraulic pressure sound you hear is normal. When the
steering is in right or left lock positions, the
hydraulic pressure builds and makes noise.
Question: 1999 Dodge Grand
Caravan, mileage: 127,500. I am beginning to notice some
difficulty steering this minivan, particularly when I
just start it; once the car is going, I don't notice
this problem. What part(s) do you think it is likely to
need?
Answer: First, check drive
belt for the power steering pump. If ok, replace the
power steering pump.
Question: My power steering is
working all right, but it is making this hissing noise
when I turn. I have checked the fluid. It is alright. I
also have an almost new belt on my car. I would be
sincerely thankful if you could give me your thought on
this noise.
Answer: From what you
describe, it sounds like your power steering pump is
starting to fail. Replace it with new to repair problem.
Question: 1998 Oldsmobile
Silhouette, miles:120,000. When I make a turn through a
puddle of water, the steering gets very stiff. Now, as I
drive I can feel a shake in the steering wheel. Any
ideas?
Answer: Check the drive belt
for the power steering pump. It may need replacing.
Repair Topics / Steering-1 / Power Steering-2 / Power Steering-3
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