97 Buick Park Ave Power Steering Fluid Reservoir

[Carlostrece]

Someone at the Buickforum.com recommended I get and install a new PSF reservoir so I'd have a clean screen in there. The assumption is my existing screen may be dirty and restricting flow.

I do have a PSF flow restriction problem, which is mostly (perhaps entirely) because I need a longer, unkinked, better routed, larger diameter inlet/return hose (as described in GM TSB 99-02-32-007A). I ordered a new, longer, larger diameter upgrade hose.

However, the person at Buickforum who told me about the TSB and upgrade hose also recommended replacing my PSF resevoir to get a completely new/clean screen in the resevoir, which she thinks may additionally improve the flow.

Is there a viable way to clean the built-in screen in my existing/original reservoir?

Can the resevoir be removed from the pump, or are they permanently joined together as one part?

Can I buy a new reservoir without buying a new pump?

If it matters, my 97 Park Ave Base model has the Gran Touring package, which means it has Magnasteer.

Thanks for any advice you can give me!

P.S. - Buickforum is not very active of a forum. Getting an answer there could takes weeks to never. BITOG is a much faster moving, more active forum. So I'm asking here.

 

[Jetronic]

What would be blocking the screen? is it parts hose? or degraded psf?

If the first, use a new reservoir, if the latter and the reservoir is expensive, I'd run Valvoline Restore and Protect 0w-20 through it to flush it.

Magnasteer makes no difference.

 

[Carlostrece]

What would be blocking the screen? is it parts hose? or degraded psf?

If the first, use a new reservoir, if the latter and the reservoir is expensive, I'd run Valvoline Restore and Protect 0w-20 through it to flush it.

Magnasteer makes no difference.

Probably just 105K of use and old PSF. That's if anything is clogging the reservoir screen. She was just theorizing about the screen possibly being clogged. We don't know if my screen is clogged.

The only thing we know for sure is that I need a larger/upgraded inlet/return hose as described in GN TSB 99-02-32-007A. I ordered the hose.

 

[clinebarger]

Magnasteer makes no difference.

It most certainly can cause poor assist at low speeds if the solenoid is stuck.

 

[clinebarger]

GM has always used 3/8" inside diameter power steering pressure & return hoses, That TSB is more for noise/harmonics than it is for performance issues.

Your vehicle doesn't require the return hose per the TSB

 

[Carlostrece]

It most certainly can cause poor assist at low speeds if the solenoid is stuck.

Is a stuck solenoid a common problem with Magna Steer?

How to check for that? If it's stuck, how to fix it?

 

[Carlostrece]

GM has always used 3/8" inside diameter power steering pressure & return hoses, That TSB is more for noise/harmonics than it is for performance issues.

Your vehicle doesn't require the return hose per the TSB

I already ordered the hose. It'll get installed and I'll find out what differences it makes, but I also want to check for and fix other problems (if there are any).

Power steering moans when engine cold, especially when turning steering wheel on dry pavement in a parking lot. Power assist feels OK, but not as good as other cars I've had.

 

[clinebarger]

Actuate the solenoid to see if steering assist changes. IIRC these solenoids at least an OE source dried up long ago.

I used to delete the Magnasteer on GMT400 & GMT800 platform trucks/SUV's all the time as the system is unreliable.

 

[Carlostrece]

Actuate the solenoid to see if steering assist changes. IIRC these solenoids at least an OE source dried up long ago.

I used to delete the Magnasteer on GMT400 & GMT800 platform trucks/SUV's all the time as the system is unreliable.

But it's awesome for high speed driving when it's working properly.

 

[Jetronic]

It most certainly can cause poor assist at low speeds if the solenoid is stuck.

Yes but makes no difference in the oil.