Power Steering
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Power Steering
On my 1970 vette, if I jack my front wheels off the ground and start the engine, there is no noise when I turn the wheel. But I do get it when the wheels are on the ground. Would this be a pump problem?
I have the pump off at this time. I turn the pully and it rotates freely. I don't feel any play in the pully, but it does seem to be wavey.
Your thought, please.
I have the pump off at this time. I turn the pully and it rotates freely. I don't feel any play in the pully, but it does seem to be wavey.
Your thought, please.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: Saginaw Michigan
When the pump has to generate pressure to steer the front wheels, there will be some noticeable noise if standing along side the car. Typically, you shouldn't be able to hear much inside the car.
The noise should be like a low growl. Not a high pitched squeal or whine.
You should not be able to detect any side to side motion in the driveshaft with the belt off of the pump pulley. A small amount of driveshaft motion in and out of the pump housing is acceptable.
When replacing assist cylinders, hoses, pumps etc, you should deaireate the system BEFORE STARTING the engine. Jack the front wheels off the ground and rotate the steering wheel full lock to full lock a couple dozen times. Replace any lost fluid as bubbles make their way into the pump reservoir. Bring the car down, THEN start the engine, steer full lock to full lock a few more times. Refill if necessary and then go for a short ride. There may be slightly more pump noise as the last, small amounts of air are expelled.
One last thing, I once had a Chevrolet pickup truck where the alternator was positioned just above the power steering pump. A bad alternator made a whining sound that was exactly the same as a bad pump sound. It even changed pitch as we steered the truck. (Possibly the change in belt tension during the steering maneuver cause the bad alternator bearing to change its pitch.)
Hope this helps,
Jim
The noise should be like a low growl. Not a high pitched squeal or whine.
You should not be able to detect any side to side motion in the driveshaft with the belt off of the pump pulley. A small amount of driveshaft motion in and out of the pump housing is acceptable.
When replacing assist cylinders, hoses, pumps etc, you should deaireate the system BEFORE STARTING the engine. Jack the front wheels off the ground and rotate the steering wheel full lock to full lock a couple dozen times. Replace any lost fluid as bubbles make their way into the pump reservoir. Bring the car down, THEN start the engine, steer full lock to full lock a few more times. Refill if necessary and then go for a short ride. There may be slightly more pump noise as the last, small amounts of air are expelled.
One last thing, I once had a Chevrolet pickup truck where the alternator was positioned just above the power steering pump. A bad alternator made a whining sound that was exactly the same as a bad pump sound. It even changed pitch as we steered the truck. (Possibly the change in belt tension during the steering maneuver cause the bad alternator bearing to change its pitch.)
Hope this helps,
Jim
Last edited by Jim Shea; Jul 12, 2006 at 07:34 AM.
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Originally Posted by Jim Shea
When the pump has to generate pressure to steer the front wheels, there will be some noticeable noise if standing along side the car. Typically, you shouldn't be able to hear much inside the car.
The noise should be like a low growl. Not a high pitched squeal or whine.
You should not be able to detect any side to side motion in the driveshaft with the belt off of the pump pulley. A small amount of driveshaft motion in and out of the pump housing is acceptable.
When replacing assist cylinders, hoses, pumps etc, you should deaireate the system BEFORE STARTING the engine. Jack the front wheels off the ground and rotate the steering wheel full lock to full lock a couple dozen times. Replace any lost fluid as bubbles make their way into the pump reservoir. Bring the car down, THEN start the engine, steer full lock to full lock a few more times. Refill if necessary and then go for a short ride. There may be slightly more pump noise as the last, small amounts of air are expelled.
One last thing, I once had a Chevrolet pickup truck where the alternator was positioned just above the power steering pump. A bad alternator made a whining sound that was exactly the same as a bad pump sound. It even changed pitch as we steered the truck. (Possibly the change in belt tension during the steering maneuver cause the bad alternator bearing to change its pitch.)
Hope this helps,
Jim
The noise should be like a low growl. Not a high pitched squeal or whine.
You should not be able to detect any side to side motion in the driveshaft with the belt off of the pump pulley. A small amount of driveshaft motion in and out of the pump housing is acceptable.
When replacing assist cylinders, hoses, pumps etc, you should deaireate the system BEFORE STARTING the engine. Jack the front wheels off the ground and rotate the steering wheel full lock to full lock a couple dozen times. Replace any lost fluid as bubbles make their way into the pump reservoir. Bring the car down, THEN start the engine, steer full lock to full lock a few more times. Refill if necessary and then go for a short ride. There may be slightly more pump noise as the last, small amounts of air are expelled.
One last thing, I once had a Chevrolet pickup truck where the alternator was positioned just above the power steering pump. A bad alternator made a whining sound that was exactly the same as a bad pump sound. It even changed pitch as we steered the truck. (Possibly the change in belt tension during the steering maneuver cause the bad alternator bearing to change its pitch.)
Hope this helps,
Jim
I did it wrong the first time.
I lifted the car and went from lock to lock with the engine running instead of leaving it off.
I am going to reinstall it tonight and do it again.
Thanks.
