I had a whine develop on my 06 with 160K miles. The noise is mainly there when turning the steering wheel and loudest at steering wheel lock in both directions. So I'm thinking it is time for a new pump. Before I do that I wanted to ask if the rack can make any whining noise? I would hate to replace one and then find out it was the other.
power steering pump whine
- Thread starter playhard
- Start date
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Have you tried flushing the fluid and cleaning the filter on the bottom of the reservoir? Many on here have done that and cured the whine on their power steering pump because it was starved for fluid
K eep
I t
S imple
S tupid
Start with a power steering fluid flush.
Worse case you're out $20 and 15min of your time.
I t
S imple
S tupid
Start with a power steering fluid flush.
Worse case you're out $20 and 15min of your time.
Maybe not even a flush, may just be empty or power steering fluid.
The screen in the bottom my P/S reservoir was at least 50% blocked with a black sticky substance. I removed and cleaned it...but for as much trouble as it was (for me) I would replace it if it happened a second time. I have no idea what it was or how it could have formed there.
But that cleaning and a flush of the system got rid of the slight whine mine had and hasn't returned since (2 yrs. ago).
But that cleaning and a flush of the system got rid of the slight whine mine had and hasn't returned since (2 yrs. ago).
2001LC
SILVER Star
2001LC
SILVER Star
No, it's easy and a worthwhile job. Leading cause of rack failure is neglecting PS fluid.
Cleaning the reservoir first time if really dirty and screen clogged is PITA. But you can just buy a new reservoir if you've more coin than time. If or once reservoir cleaned, it's only necessary to flush thereafter. I like flushing every 20K miles or sooner with Modil 1 MV ATF full synthetic.
Also consider, someone may have put in power steering fluid at some point (very common) rather than ATF.
Cleaning the reservoir first time if really dirty and screen clogged is PITA. But you can just buy a new reservoir if you've more coin than time. If or once reservoir cleaned, it's only necessary to flush thereafter. I like flushing every 20K miles or sooner with Modil 1 MV ATF full synthetic.
Also consider, someone may have put in power steering fluid at some point (very common) rather than ATF.
2001LC
SILVER Star
You can re clamp, but is 50/50 effectiveness and temporary. If hose(s) are weeping, replacing them (03-07) with new OEM hose(s) using your factory clamps is best practice.
^^^^^ Amen!
No way I'd do that again. I was already pretty deep into cleaning mine...so I just continued, but I distinctly remember thinking I would buy a reservoir if it ever got that dirty again. I never did get it ALL cleaned out, but much improved.
2001LC
SILVER Star
I've lost count of how many I've cleaned. Some are a piece of cake others take forever.
Good chance someone put power steering fluid in it, which acts up most when cold (OAT).
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The PS fluid, as mentioned, is very easy to change out.
Worth noting for others searching about a whine... The alternator will emit a whine just before it dies that sounds nearly identical to what you'd expect for a bad PS pump. You can rule either one out by flicking the lights on and off with the engine running. If the sound changes with the different load, it's likely your alternator. I was chasing the same whine down for weeks and flushed the PS a few times. Took it to a shop, they flushed again only to have the alternator totally die on me a week or two later.
Worth noting for others searching about a whine... The alternator will emit a whine just before it dies that sounds nearly identical to what you'd expect for a bad PS pump. You can rule either one out by flicking the lights on and off with the engine running. If the sound changes with the different load, it's likely your alternator. I was chasing the same whine down for weeks and flushed the PS a few times. Took it to a shop, they flushed again only to have the alternator totally die on me a week or two later.
