Power Steering sucks at idle.

[aness]

I have a probelm with my power steering. At idle it doesn't work well, but once it gets reved up a bitlike 2000 rpms it works great. Is this because my pump is going or do you think it is the rack? If it is the pump, what pumps will fit a 2g gsx. do the GSX's have special pumps or should all 2g pumps work?

Thanks,
Alex

 

[nukefission]

Have you checked the fluid level? Is the pump or the rack leaking at all? How many miles since the last p/s fluid change?

 

[larsenracing]

If I were you I would flush you ps fluid and replace with synthetic also check for leaks in rack like nukefission said. good luck

 

[aness]

Have you checked the fluid level? Is the pump or the rack leaking at all? How many miles since the last p/s fluid change?

Alright thanks for the help. I don't think it is leaking, but I will keep a close eye on it and try flushing the Fluid.

 

[Doug99RS]

The belt could also be loose or your crank pulley could be seperated and not spinning properly at low RPM. Most of the time it's a low fluid or loose belt condition.

In the event that it's something else you should consider the following.

-On the 2gnt's (different pump by the way) there is a power steering pressure switch I'm sure there's one on the 4g63's as well. It is responsible for sensing your input to the steering system at the pump. If the pressure increases because you turn the wheel the engine control unit senses this via the sensor and picks up engine RPM. This in turn makes the pump move enough fluid at enough pressure to turn the wheel like you want. If this sensor goes bad then your RPMs may not be increased as described above.

-Low fluid levels typically are accompanied by honking/shuddering/whining noises from the pump. Also, a leak could cause air to be sucked in if it's on the low pressure/return side of the system which will cause a whine but NOT a high volume fluid leak.

-Power steering racks normally leak at the boots leading out to the tires. Also, if there is no leak but the rack is failing then normally it's total failure all the time or only in one direction. The power steering pump NEVER knows which direction you're turning the wheel and as such it is simply a pump for fluid. The rack itself has the valving in it to assist in DIRECTIONAL power steering assit.

With all this in mind I would suggest checking the belt tension, fluid level, fluid leaks, and then consider the pump a viable option for failure.
Doug