Power Steering Issue

Tiny
BLUECOPPER
  • MEMBER
  • 1987 NISSAN HARDBODY
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
I have an 87 nissan pickup where the power steering box is making a sound when I make turns. The reservoir still has in oil so am wondering if the pump is bad or what a friend had suggested that air might be in the line. Any suggestions please in troubleshooting?
Sunday, January 9th, 2011 AT 5:40 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
Is the reservoir at the FULL mark? Is the fluid foamy?
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Sunday, January 9th, 2011 AT 6:08 PM
Tiny
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I would have to check on the foaminess. Its like at the half way mark and I put oil in and the sound didnt go away
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Sunday, January 9th, 2011 AT 6:24 PM
Tiny
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Make sure it's at the full mark before starting it.
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Sunday, January 9th, 2011 AT 6:25 PM
Tiny
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I just topped it up and started it and left and right locked it a few times and checked the oil and didnt see any foam. Not sure if its getting any pressure seeing as the truck is on tile surface now
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Sunday, January 9th, 2011 AT 6:35 PM
Tiny
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You shouldn't be forcing it on asphalt sitting still anyway. That just strains the system. Try to have the car moving, even slightly and it doesn't abuse the pump.
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Sunday, January 9th, 2011 AT 6:40 PM
Tiny
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What other checks can I run?
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Sunday, January 9th, 2011 AT 6:48 PM
Tiny
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None, if the fluid is topped off, the fluid is not aerating and the pump still makes noise, replace the pump and flush the system.
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Sunday, January 9th, 2011 AT 6:50 PM
Tiny
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Ok thank you i'll work on that and post results
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Sunday, January 9th, 2011 AT 7:02 PM

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