Power steering going out

[Rick in PA]

Originally Posted By: JC1
First thing I would do is remove the reservoir And clean it out. A clogged reservoir can some times cause poor steering....


I think this would be a good starting point. I have an '01 PT Cruiser. Last winter it would whine terribly on cold start-up for a brief period. I ended up removing the reservoir and disassembling it. There's a fine mesh brass screen in the reservoir that serves as a system filter, it was clogged. When the fluid was cold it couldn't pass enough and I believe the pump was cavitating, causing the whine. I haven't had a problem with it since I cleaned the screen and flushed the fluid.

 

[Kuato]

Originally Posted By: madRiver


Replacing the rack is beyond capability.

When fluid is topped back up the pump is not noisy and power steering works. I filled it last week and it was down 1/4 cup today after cold weather and not working well.

Not clear how much is in the system, I am topping with Castrol Import Transmission fluid as its Dexron III spec apparently.


That's a really bad leak. Time to replace/repair.

 

[Andrew1972]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Originally Posted By: madRiver
This repair is beyond my capability and have an estimate for $650 to change it and align it.


Is that the estimate for replacing the steering rack ? Are parts included ?


Yes with aftermarket part(s). He stated another $250 for OEM.

 

[mk378]

Originally Posted By: Kuato
That's a really bad leak. Time to replace/repair.

Have you been able to inspect and see which part is leaking?

 

[sxg6]

Sounds like the rack might be the problem, but flushing the fluid isn't too hard to try either. Air might be getting into the system by the o-ring at the top of the pump, or past the o-ring on the reservoir cap.

I took a somewhat unique approach to replacing the ps fluid in my legacy, since I did it by myself.

Disconnect return line, and put into a catch pan. I used a plastic cup which worked, but I had to empty it 3-4 times. Total capacity of the ps system is .7qt's, I flushed around 2qt's through the system.


Tilt reservoir on its side, and fill with as much fluid as you can.

I put a ratcheting box wrench on the ps pulley bolt, and with the belt loosened and the car off, just keep ratcheting away and filling with fluid until i pumped around 1qt through the system.

Next I jacked the car up a little to get the tires off the ground, topped off the reservoir, pointed a wireless webcam at the reservoir, and went into the car, and turned the ignition to the accessory 2 position. Twisted the wheel lock to lock, and watched the reservoir level from my phone. You can basically go lock to lock one time with a full reservoir. If you hold the wheel at the lock like I did for a couple seconds (which I think I hear you shouldn't do?), that's when the pump really sucks fluid down fast.

Anyways, I went through 1qt more of fluid going lock to lock. After that, hooked everything back up the way it should be, tightened the belt back up, and the steering is so much smoother. As far as fluid goes, I used subaru atf HP, but subaru says that or any dexron III fluid.

Picture of my setup
http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=218429&d=1445415455

 

[Andrew1972]

Does air cause the fluid to blow out the rack? Its wet down in rack with the power steering reservoir was completely dry around it and connection. The pump does not appear to have any fluid around it either as far as I could see.

 

[mk378]

No, air wouldn't cause fluid to blow out the rack. The system is designed so that any bubbles of air eventually return to the reservoir and escape from there.

Which part of the rack is wet? The most common leak is from the end seals. Leaking from either or both ends means the rack needs to be replaced. If you have fluid where the lines connect it may be a bad connection or leaky hose instead of the rack itself.

 

[Silverado12]

Originally Posted By: Nick1994
Changing the fluid in the power steering reservoir with a turkey baster would be like washing a car with a little squirt bottle.

Connect a longer hose to the return hose of the power steering, plug up the hole where the hose went into the reservoir, put the longer hose in a drain pan, start the car for 3-5 seconds (reservoir will be dry afterwards) then top off with fresh fluid and start for 3-5 seconds, and keep doing that until clean comes out the hose. Then reconnect and you've got 100% new fluid. I've done that with my past 2 Toyotas.


I use the turkey baster method and get about 1/2 quart out at a time. I don't like the idea of running the reservoir dry.