Powersteering problem

[arnebret]

MHU!! What the hell is this? I already knew my steeringsystem wasn't 100%: when turning the wheel at to maximum deflection, along the road i heard strange noises. Looking in the Haynes it told me: air in the fluid. Well, talking about AIR! The f*cking dexron is like foam when used.

So, i pulled the cap of the reservoir and with a running engine i turned the steeringwheel from one end to the other... guess what: foam was flowing out of the reservoir like hell! I just topped of the system to normal level, but the stuff kept flowing out when using the steeringwheel to max deflection. I could also hear the pump making noise like it was going to burst.

Ok, you could say: pump is broke, but that doesn't explain all the air. And besides, when used under normal condition PS works fine. One of the hoses has to be sucking air into the system all the time causing the foam-type fluid under high workload. Agree? Any input as always VERY welcome!

[mike944]

Sounds like you've got a leak in the suction side, or a bad pump. My pump makes noise when it sucks in air too. Usually it's because of low fluid level in the resevoir (no more problems since i fixed my resevoir leak) To fix the noisy pump, i just filled the resevoir up with the engine off, and started the engine, and SLOWLY turned the wheel from lock to lock, making sure not to hold it against either lock. Eventually the noise goes away as soon as all the air is flushed out of the system. If it never goes away, and your fluid is always foamy, you might have a leak in the suction side of the power steering system, or a bad seal in the pump, or rack.

Good luck

Mike

BTW, i use Dexron III fluid.

[arnebret]

Thanks for the feedback. As i always have little dexron drops hanging about around the pump and the suction hose, i think it has to be a bad hose. I will test this asap and have a look at it. Thanks!