Steering pump failing?

JWERTS1981

MEMBER
2001 BUICK LESABRE

Hello. I have a 2001 LeSabre with roughly 37000 miles on it. I bought it used 6 months ago and hadn't had any problems until fairly recently. In late January I started noticing a front end vibration in the car. It's intermittent and doesn't appear to be specific to any particular speed (it happens at most speeds) but sometimes I'll go for days without it happening at all.

Now I am noticing that the steering wheel is tighter than normal. I can still make turns with no problems but something doesn't feel right (in addition to the vibration).

I've had the tires balanced and aligned so now I'm thinking it might have something to do with the steering/suspension but I'm not sure as I don't know much about cars.

Any help would be appreciated.

1 Reply

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

More than likely this is a pump that is failing or has air in it. A lot of times when a pump is pushing air instead of fluid it will cavitate which feels like it is vibrating or shaking.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/power-steering-problems

I would start with changing the fluid using this guide to help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/power-steering-fluid-flush

If that does not work then you are going to have to change the pump.

Here are a couple guides that will help with replacing the pump:

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

Please see the process below from the manual that will help with getting this replaced. Please run through this and let us know if you have questions on this.

Thanks

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