Power steering pump just got louder.

[GreeCguy]

Howdy fellow oil lovers:
1995 Olds Cutlass Ciera, 144000 miles on a 3.1 V-6 auto tranny.

While checking my clunky/grindy front end, I jacked the car up so I could better inspect what might be wrong and making the noise. The passenger side front tire was in the air, and drivers side tire was on the ground. I did turn the steering wheel to the right and then to the left without the engine running, (better to see the front suspension), when I lowered it and started the car, the power steering pump started to whine and growl like an angry dog watching the mailman bring bills on a cloudy afternoon.

Plenty of fluid in system - does anyone know what might have happened? Why has my pump suddenly gotten loud and what can I do to quiet it down?

 

[nitehawk55]

Is the fluid dark and burnt smelling ?

If so get some new fluid and start puping out and replacing every few days to flush it out .

 

[GreeCguy]

I should have posted this with original post - did a flush and new fluid exchange about a month ago. All has been well until I jacked the car up to check the suspension because suspension has been making clunky noise.

 

[NHGUY]

Sounds like air somehow got into the system by cycling it with the engine off.Could be a sign the pump isnt far from failing.When a pump sounds like a Ford pump all the time (growly),its not right.

 

[michaelluscher]

Power steering just kicked in yo.
J/k.
I'd go for a fluid change flush first, then go from there.

 

[Stanley Rockafeller]

are PS and ATF fluids the same in this application?

I was told that since they are both hydraulic, they are interchangeable. True?

 

[michaelluscher]

In some principle, that's rue. But then by association brake fluid would work? And we don't use that do we

Check your owners manual or under hood for a specification and come back.

 

[MolaKule]

Quote:
But then by association brake fluid would work?


Oh man, let's not bring brake fluid into the discussion lest someone think they can use brake fluid in a PS system and destroy it.

Different hydraulic systems require different fluids with different base oils, which I think is the point you're making.

 

[michaelluscher]

Yes. That's my point.