Power steering not working?

Tiny
MNLGRANILLO448
  • MEMBER
  • 2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 68,000 MILES
Hello, my 2010 Impala's steering has gotten firm recently. When stationary and turning the wheel, it will squeak for a second or two when turning left or right. I have checked the power steering fluid level and it is at the correct level with no visible leaks. The high pitch squeal does not happen when driving, but only when stationary and comes from under the hood. Is it possible that I may need to change the belt & the tensioner?
Monday, October 14th, 2013 AT 8:21 AM

48 Replies

Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Hello,

This happens when the system power steering pump goes bad here is a guide top help walk you through the steps with instructions in the diagram below show you how on your car.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-power-steering-pump

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/remove-reinstall-power-steering-pulley

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.
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Monday, October 14th, 2013 AT 9:14 AM
Tiny
BROWNN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Nice work I had this issue had to ge a new pump cost me $132.00 all fixed
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 4:39 PM
Tiny
DIANNAW
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • FWD
  • 81,000 MILES
All of a sudden it was making a shh noise and slower to get into gear. Seems to be better once it gets up to thirty mph even the shh seems to quite down. But then this morning when I went to move it the steering wheel was very hard to turn, but after running for a couple minutes it seems better. Is this an expensive fix? Please Help!Thank you!
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 4:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Have a mechanic check for a either a broken power steering line or low fluid, bad pump or steering rack.
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 4:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DIANNAW
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
So I added fluid the steering seems to be fixed. The noise is a lot less, but still I can hear. Was told it could take a little bit to get gunk worked out or it could be the pump? Thank you!
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 4:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Well if it was low on fluid then it leaked out someplace and normally that can be a loose connection on a line or leaking out the rack and pinion. Look if you can to see if you see any oil around any of the lines top and bottom. If the pump does not make a lot of noise and you can put up with it then just drive it. Check pump fluid in a couple of days.
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 4:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KSSPAVIA
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 3.6L
  • 6 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,000 MILES
My power steering pump was going out( what I was told), eventually became extremely hard to steer, yet still ran well amd all. Low on cash I still drove it for quiet some time(4 months or so ) my bicepts became very cut, and other than squeking/whiney noise and tough steering, ran just fine. Until, a mechanic friend of mine attempted to fix the problem. Replacing the pump and belt with new/ used part. Well, while driving home from car shop my vehicle began to overheat(EXTREMELY) I had to pull over to let cool. Checked under the hood and discovered belt was now shredded. Car wouldnt start again that day- had it pulled/towed home. Days later bought a brand new belt and installed it. And charged car battery. Attempted to drive to work in which car only made it a few blocks before battery dying/ overheating AGAIN. Vehicle hasnt even started up again since. HELP! What to do?
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 4:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Check pulley alignment with a straight edge the new belt is probably shredded again due to alignment problem with newly installed part. When changing belt also replace belt tensioner
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 4:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LACEUPALLDAY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • AUTOMATIC
The cruise control buttons, volume up and down buttons, and horn do not work at all on my 2010 chevy impala. It was like this when we got it from the dealership kist never had the time to take it back to get it checked. Any helpful ideas to get this fixed without taking it in to a shop? I know the fuses are not blown and I have a feeling it has something to do with the wiring under the dash.
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 4:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,107 POSTS
You didn't provide any details about why you suspect a wiring problem or why it was at the dealership. The most likely suspect is a broken clock spring under the steering wheel, but that assumes there isn't some other recent repair or problem that could be related. The clock spring is a wound-up ribbon cable in a plastic housing. They often break on the ends, and they can be damaged if the steering wheel is turned repeatedly while something is disconnected for other repairs.
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 4:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MS2013
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 76,000 MILES
I just bought this car after years of driving old and hand me downs. Sometimes when I turn, the steering wheel makes a sound. The sound is like my seatbelt rubbing on something. Its a subtle noise. The russ darrow kia in fond du lac keep telling me its fixed.
.
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 4:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,107 POSTS
"Subtle" noises are common now because cars are becoming so quiet. We can hear things that we couldn't before, especially stupid little wind noises. Some belt noise is normal, and GM has had some trouble with noisy power steering pumps.

I would have another mechanic listen to it but don't cloud his judgement by mentioning that anyone else has looked at it until after he gives you his opinion. If he says it sounds normal it probably is.

P.S. I'm in Wausau.
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 4:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TONYWINDOM
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
  • 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 122,000 MILES
When my 2003 impala turns, my power steering squeaks. Why is that. I want to put in fluid but I cant find where to put it at. The engine is 3.8l
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 4:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Back of motor down low on passenger side. Not easy to get to

Roy
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 4:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TONYWINDOM
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
So is the squeaking cause by low power steering fluid level
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 4:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Winning would be, squeeling may be from the belt. The tensioner may be weak.

Roy
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 4:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TONYWINDOM
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Would that cause my check light to come on
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 4:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
We need the code. Have it pulled and get back to us.

Roy
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 4:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BOONDOX
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 80,000 MILES
We've had this LS since 03 and it started making some strange noise recently. It's a low whine that's changes with moving the steering wheel. I thought was the PS pump, but I can't find any leaks at all. Looking under the car there is a huge amount of what looks like the cheapest, nastiest grease I've ever seen. This has a shadetree mechanic friend thinking it's something in the drive axels.
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 4:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,123 POSTS
Where is the grease, around the cv boots?
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 4:43 PM (Merged)

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