Power Steering Failure

[Bigpav7]

Hey guys,

Need some help with the car. This morning I pulled out of the driveway and while attempting to make a u-turn, I heard a very annoying whining/grinding noise coming from the front of the car. The Steering gradually became heavier and heavier and by the time I completed the u-turn, I could barely turn the wheel. There is also a puddle of yellow liquid under the car (not sure if it’s leaking from the car or was there before, I didn’t get a chance to climb under and check). Obviously sounds like some sort of a power steering failure. IS power steering fluid yellow in color? If so, where can the leak be from? If it’s the pump, how hard is it to replace? Any help is greatly appreciated.

The car is 91’ eclipse GS, Automatic.

 

[1gDSM4g63]

Either there is not enough power steering fluid or the belt has gone bad.

 

[EyeWhen]

The hose on top often leaks. The pump is right on top, very easy to get to.

 

[Bigpav7]

If it is in fact the pump gone bad, what would the symptoms be? The fact that the steering got heavier and heavier to impossible to move within about 5 minutes, can it still be the belt? I'm thinking that it has to be a really bad leak, something that would cause me to loose most of the fluid within minutes. But than again, I would have seen a lot of fluid all over the place, wouldn't I?

 

[Bigpav7]

alright, I got a chance to look at the car tonite and found roughly where the fluid came out from. It's not the pump or the reservoir, it all gushed out from somewhere around the bottom of the firewall, right above the crossmember I believe. Is that the rack? what does repairing this entail? I couldn't even get a good enough look at it, much less think about fixing it myself...

 

[voodoogsx]

If this is your dd and you can't fix it immediatly, I would consider pulling the ps pump belt so it doesn't keep pumping the fluid out and eventually ruin the ps pump.

As far as the fluid color, it's usualy clear(depending on what you get I guess) and will turn a yellowish brown as it gets old....might be a good time to flush the system....

 

[crimsondragon]

MY PS fluid is light brownish. It's basically just hydraulic oil. Sunds like it's leaking from the steering rack.

 

[Bigpav7]

yeah, i'm pretty sure the fluid came out of the steering rack. I've done some reading and the rack looks ridiculoulsy expensive/difficult to replace. I think I'm just going to take off the pump/belt and call it a day. Shouldnt be too bad driving it that way, my commute is only about 3 miles.