Is my PS pump dead?

[mjbrox]

I had a failed PS box and PS pump so I pulled new ones and installed from a parts truck. It was a great success and the steering felt great. Then it started getting tight and I bled out a bit of air, again back to happiness so I took it off roading at high elevation and the steering got tight again at 13k feet. I figured there was an air bubble that expanded at the extreme elevation so I bled it at the top. The steering was tight for the rest of the drive home. I just tried bleeding it again and it does not seem to have any air in the system.

But its like I have no PS. The pump never screamed or anything like that.

Anyway, I know it has to be the pump, but I thought I would post here in the vane hope of not having to replace the pump again.

 

[Toran]

I am also experiencing a PS issue.
I was driving home Saturday night and PS was making some sounds, 5 minutes before making it home I noticed some smoke coming from under the hood and the steering became extremely tight. The battery light stayed lit on the dashboard. It was too late and too dark to do anything at the moment but I know I need to fix this ASAP!

 

[jymmiejamz]

I'm not sure about D1s, but most vehicles have a small screen/filter in reservoir. I always recommend replacing the reservoir with the pump. I have seen brand new pumps fail shortly after installation due to cavitation caused by the screen being clogged with metal shavings. I usually flush the steering fluid (if the pump isn't totally shot) before doing any repairs to try to get as much metal out as possible.

 

[Toran]

Thanks jymmiejamz for the tip!

 

[Jimmy]

I am also experiencing a PS issue.
I was driving home Saturday night and PS was making some sounds, 5 minutes before making it home I noticed some smoke coming from under the hood and the steering became extremely tight. The battery light stayed lit on the dashboard. It was too late and too dark to do anything at the moment but I know I need to fix this ASAP!

Sounds like you lost the belt. Smoke, battery light, loss of p/s... all clues.

 

[Toran]

Yep exactly, glad I was only 5 minutes from being home.
Thanks!

 

[1of40]

D1 PS started to leak a bit. Topped up with res with Blue Devil and leak stopped. Noticed today though that I'm getting a light grunt sound now when I turn the wheel for the first time after sitting for a few hours.

Any thoughts? I was thinking maybe I should flush the fluid and see if that helps?

 

[Toran]

I wonder if the grunt sound is the result of some air in the system.

 

[1of40]

I wonder if the grunt sound is the result of some air in the system.

Makes sense. I'm going to flush it in the name of preventative maintenance.

 

[discostew]

Power steering is hard to call sometimes. There's a tool that goes in line with the pressure hose. They usually have a glass chamber that helps check the volume the pump is putting out and a pressure reading at the same time. That's the only way I know to be sure of what's going on.

You need to know how much pressure the pump is putting out. I think it's just as likely you lost the steering box.