Power steering pump whining woes

[Beast5500]

I had a heck of a time bleeding the system after swapping pumps from my old running car... and it is now properly bled. Fluid level is also good.

Problem is, my power steering pump is still whining slightly.... what would be causing this sort of thing?

 

[bryanwheat]

IF it is whining than it is likely not full of fluid.

 

[mrjreezy]

It can also whine if it is over filled. I've made that mistake before.
But since you bleed it, there can still be air in the lines. Bleed the air out by revving the engine to about 1500-2000 rpms and turning the steering wheel almost all the way from one side to the other a few times. This should bleed out the air and take care of your problem.
It could also be a dry bearing.
Its also not abnormal for a pump to make a slight whine anyways. If none of this works you can always replace the pump.

 

[Talon IV]

yeah I would try to re-bleed the system. Take the cap off the reservoir, make sure it is full, start car and turn lock to lock a few times and take a peek in the reservoir to see if your fluid is aerated. Is it just a little whine or annoyingly loud? How is the tension on your belt?

 

[Talon IV]

yeah I would try to re-bleed the system. Take the cap off the reservoir, make sure it is full, start car and turn lock to lock a few times and take a peek in the reservoir to see if your fluid is aerated. Is it just a little whine or annoyingly loud? How is the tension on your belt?

 

[allmine104]

Loosen belt alittle

 

[Beast5500]

ok, i double checked the fluid level, it is spot on the top line.

The fluid in the reservoir is crystal clear, no agitation. i will try to re-bleed it again today.

Loosen belt alittle

would a rather tight belt cause it to whine?

 

[bryanwheat]

Are you checking the fluid with the car running or not?

 

[Beast5500]

Are you checking the fluid with the car running or not?

No, checking with the car off. should i be checking while its running?

 

[allmine104]

Yes it would...I've ruined a few pumps this way..loosen the belt just to the point where the belt starts to squeal then just baraly tighten till it stops...hopefully it's not damaged...

 

[biowolf]

Yes while it is running also loosen the belt when mine was too tight my pump whined

 

[mrjreezy]

I would check the service Manuel for your car if you have one. Some recommend ATF fluid for power steering because of has a higher boiling point.

And yes the belt can cause a whine. Mine is currently doing that, but I snapped my tensioner bolt, so i can't fix it til I find another bolt .

 

[Beast5500]

I would assume the whining from an over tightened belt is due to it pulling the shaft to one side and wearing on the bearings unevenly?

Well I'll loosen that up some and see what that does. Hopefully the pumps still good. If not I have a spare luckily.

Thank you guys for all the help!! I'm still a newbie with the technicals of these cars. I'll get there.. Haha

 

[T is for TURBO]

When I bled mine, I put regular advance auto parts branded "Power Steering Fluid" and my car screamed like a bi***. That was when I looked in the FSM and saw that is called for ATF Dexron II. I filled it up with the ATF and it was quiet for the most part. It took about 2 or 3 days of driving around to bleed out some of the remaining air, and it's been silent ever since.

 

[Beast5500]

Any ideas how I can tell if I should be using ATF, or power steering fluid? I don't have a manual that came with the car. The cap on the reservoir does say power steering fluid tho... So I just assumed regular fluid.

 

[bryanwheat]

I've always used atf in 1g's and 2g's. My Chilton manual recommends atf for both.

 

[mrjreezy]

You can pick up a chilton at any autoparts store. They're like $30. And come in handy very often

 

[allmine104]

You can use ATF as a substitute for p/s fluid in any car both systems work on the same principles of hydraulics..and the detergents in the ATF will work to keep things clean in your p/s system

 

[Beast5500]

Well the system currently has regular power steering fluid in it. i loosened the belt a little and also re-bled the system and it seems to be all better now.

Its weird how temperamental this power steering system is.. this is the only car ive known to be this picky with bleeding and such. all my other cars you just fill the fluid and take it around the block and its done.

Thank you guys very much!!

 

[allmine104]

Belts with a automatic tensioner are no problem..manuel tensioners you have to watch...I always loosen the belt till it starts squealing then baraly tighten till it stops and ## good

 

[mrjreezy]

Belts with a automatic tensioner are no problem..manuel tensioners you have to watch...I always loosen the belt till it starts squealing then baraly tighten till it stops and ## good

I've never thought to do it like that. I always adjust the belt to where it has around an inch of play when you push down on it.

 

[Beast5500]

ive always heard to tighten them to where you can barely twist the belt 90 degrees