Hello all, Ive noticed for last month or so my car has making a low-mid pitch whining noise when I steer move the wheel. Its usually when Im almost stopped or going real slow but once it starts it will do it even at higher speeds. The whining comes and goes. Everyone I talked to says its the power steering pump and it only makes the whine when the steering wheel turns so it makes since to me. Im a little hesitant on replacing it mainly because of the belt and I know it has to be adjusted/tensioned right with the new pump. Does anyone have a guide to correctly replace it. The car has 150k miles as a fyi.

Thanks in advance for any help and I hope this is posted in the correct spot.

 

Do you see the power-steering fluid foaming in the reservoir? It might be sucking air into the pump. It might be a leak at the hose connected to the pump, there's an O-ring you can replace and maybe you don't need to replace the pump.

Someone has posted a TSB about this, maybe it's Redbull??

 

Thanks for the reply JimBlake, I havent checked if the fluid is foaming, I will check it tomorrow during the daytime. Ive heard about the O-ring issue, I thought it was a issue with the 2003 generation models. I'll give a update tomorrow if I see any leaks etc... Redbull????

 

Yeah, newer cars. But really the PS pump looks to be nearly the same.

I think that O-ring leak is kinda funny; it sucks air in & doesn't always leak out. But for a couple bucks it's a cheap/easy thing to try.

 

I checked for foaming like you mentioned and it was not. It did look like it was swirling in the reservoir, the car was running so i guess thats normal. I did see some spots were there is some type a leak, I hoping the pics I took will attach. the belt seemed tight and is in good condition from what i see, no cracks or anything. I was able to notice the whining when I had it parked with the hood open and I slowly turned the wheel. Its def coming from the power steering pump/belt/pulley area.

http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...ps45007ac2.jpg

http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0b766460.jpg

 

Pump is leaking from somewhere. If I had to guess looking at the pics I'd say it was the shaft seal. A leak combined with whining probably means the pump is on its way out. The local U Pull & Pay wants $22 for a pump; you may find a similarly priced used pump wherever you are. Just be sure to buy a new O-ring if you swap the pump out.

 

Thanks Roader. You think it would be a smart idea to change the alternator while the pumps being replaced. I Havent had any issues with it but the car does have 150k miles on it.

 

No. The alternator could easily go another 50K.

 

If it's not the O-ring, it's pretty easy to change the pump. I did it recently on my friend's 1998 Accord LX. I made a YouTube video showing how I did it: