Power steering pump

chrispaws13 · Post by **chrispaws13** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 12:01 pm

Hi

Ive always heard a slight noise coming from my engine bay but just ignored it as you expect the odd noise from a 15 year old car....anyway my mate who is a mechanic was out wiv me and he was like your power steering pump sounds f***** (he was outside when i was parking up) it works fine its just really noisey, mainly when going uphill, but cant hear a thing when cruising.

Anyway else experienced this? - is the next step for it to go bang then ill need to get it reconditoned - or are they just noisey??!

To be honest it doesnt bother me really but would be nice to know.

480_rocket · Post by **480_rocket** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 12:04 pm

You might want to try flushing the old out and putting some new stuff in.

chrispaws13 · Post by **chrispaws13** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 12:05 pm

is that hard? i looked in the reservoir and there wasnt a lot in there really

480_rocket · Post by **480_rocket** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 12:13 pm

Might be the problem! You could top it up, but best to find a way to drain the power steering system. Not done it before, but Haynes should have it.

chrispaws13 · Post by **chrispaws13** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 12:14 pm

Tip the car upside down?

rpruen · Post by **rpruen** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 3:37 pm

Flushing is not so hard.

Remove the return pipe from the res. and extend it to a container somewhere out of the way.

Have an assistant pour fluid into the res. after starting the engine. Try to move the stering from one lock to the other while doing that, so that the fluid is flushed out of the rams in the steering rack.

You may need about 5l of ATF from partco etc (will be cheaper than getting 1L bottles from halfords).

If the pump is noisy, then I don't think that will help for long though.

Richard

chris1roll · Post by **chris1roll** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 6:22 pm

The pump will push it out at about half a litre a second (well, it seemed pretty quick!) Don't let it disappear down the hose or you can cavitate the pump (fuck it up)
I did it by disconnecting the HT lead, and turning the engine on the starter in short bursts, topping up each time.

stu chacks · Post by **stu chacks** » Thu May 05, 2005 4:09 pm

Giving my power steering a complete flush this evening with new DextronII fluid - I assume the return pipe is the TOP pipe into the reservoir and the bottom pipe is feed anyone?
Cheers, Stu.

rpruen · Post by **rpruen** » Thu May 05, 2005 10:47 pm

Yes that's it

Richard

stu chacks · Post by **stu chacks** » Fri May 06, 2005 9:45 am

Cheers guys, what a result!
Me and Adam had the steering fluid changed in around 10mins and the cars gone from being an embarrasement to park (the power steering was sooo noisy) to a dream - all you can hear now is the crunch of the gravel when parking up. Nice tip.
Boy does that pump circulate the fluid quick - we did disconnect the HT lead then turn the engine over as not enough time to top up otherwise.
Well recommended. Stu.

ps used 4.5ltrs Parco DextronII fluid for Â£15 compared to Volvo fluid Â£15 PER LITRE!!!

beefqueen · Post by **beefqueen** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 8:57 pm

Right,

Following some really helpful advice on here, I've bought my first 480 which I'm picking up on Thursday. It's a bargain at Â£75, so it doesn't matter if it gives up the ghost soon, and I don't intend to do too much to it, but a couple of wee things I want to try and fix.

One of them is that the power steering seems shot: it's really noisy (but only at low speeds) and, from the short try I had, it doesn't seem to be doing anything: the steering was heavy.

From here, it appears that it may just need more fluid (the guy didn't mention having tried to top it up). I'm going to Halfords after picking it up on Thursday, and was going to get some of the fluid mentioned, if they have it.

Can anyone advise: would topping up fluid and/or flushing be worth a try and, if so, what do I look for in Halfords?

Please 'scuse the ignorance: my mechanical knowledge before now has been nought!

Cheers

PS: I have also bought a second-hand Haynes from eBay: will that give me the instructions I need?
PPS: Is it a difficult job?
PPPS(!): Do I need any tools?!

guitarcarfanatic · Post by **guitarcarfanatic** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 9:05 pm

If it didnt seem to be working check the level of fluid in the container(says power steering on the lid!). If it is quite empty, that may be the cause and flush might do some good. If there is some fluid in there, the motor may be shot or at least on the way out.

Best to report back when you get the car as driving it will tell if it works or not. Also try turning the wheel with engine off. then star tengine with wheel still turned to resistance. You should immediately feel the power steering ease off to almost nothing.

Rob

chrispaws13 · Post by **chrispaws13** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 11:09 am

whats the colour of the fluid. Mine works ok but just makes the noise of a groaning pig when going up hill or is under strain. pron worn bearings although my fluid level is pretty low. can be arsed to faff with it though.

guitarcarfanatic · Post by **guitarcarfanatic** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 11:14 am

Iguess it's the colour of the stuff you put in as there are probably a few varients. I've been told blacky brown isnt good...

stu chacks · Post by **stu chacks** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 1:20 pm

Rather than Halfords try PARTCO, I picked up up DextronII grade 5ltrs for Â£15 which was cheaper than Halfords and LOADS cheaper than Volvo.

For the sake of Â£15 I'd flush the power steering. Made huge difference to mine.

Stu.

Big Brother · Post by **Big Brother** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 10:55 am

mines next, along with the gearbox oil

beefqueen · Post by **beefqueen** » Sun Jun 26, 2005 7:20 pm

Well, I've had it out for a few days. Only noisy when going very slowly, though if I'm labouring it in any gear it seems to start grumbling (e.g. if I'm doing about 25mph in fourth gear).

At decent speeds it feels light as a feather, so obviously seems to be working then. When manoeuvring it's useless.

I haven't braved opening the bonnet yet, but the seller told me it was topped up but maybe a little dirty.

Cheers for any more advice!

guitarcarfanatic · Post by **guitarcarfanatic** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 8:03 am

Just give it a flush and see if it cures anything. It's not very expensive(about 2-3 ltrs of ATF fluid = 10 to 15 quid max) and a simple job by the looks of it(i'm attempting to do it so it must be

) If it still persists after flushing it, you can then post back and we will give more advice. It's always best to start with the easiest and cheapest option first and then move on(demonstrated by a guy at Volvo telling me he's had over a dozen people come and buy new pop up motors when it's just been a relay or strut...

)

Rob

Agwa Moose · Post by **Agwa Moose** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 3:40 pm

Finally changed my PS fluid yesterday, all the noise has gone and the steerings definitely lighter

Worth doing for sure, 3 litres of ATF cost me just short of 9 quid and it only took 10 mins to do

J

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