cesna12

I am new to these forums so forgive me if I was not able to find the answer from searches. This one seems different from the other problems I have seen. It is a 97 LS400. The power steering has been great until Wed night. It was 10 degrees F. When it failed. I heard some faint noise that got much worse very fast while it was warming up and noticed the power steering was no longer working. The pomp is very loud. I checked the level it is OK. There seems to be no circulation of the fluid in the reservoir. I have pulled the filter on the rack and cleaned it (it was very dirty). I have put the car in a warm garage to let it warm up. I have only owned this car for 6mos. The last owner told me he had replaced the pump not too long before I bought the car. The pump looks almost new. I suspect he cheeped out and did not buy a OE pump. Any input before I spend 500 on a new pump would be much appreciated. I am a professional mechanic with 20years experience in foreign cars and have never seen a pump fail like this.

deanshark

Sounds like the bearing on the pulley might have fried, if it's not circulating. Instead of buying a new or reman PS pump for an outragous price, go to the junkyard and pick up a $25 pump, get a rebuild kit for $30 or $40 and rebuild it. For $75 you'll have a good PS pump.