Need advice please.
My power steering pump has started whining, but it is not low on fluid. Do I need to replace the entire pump, or should I just start by replacing the filter?
Thanks for your help!

 

. I don't know where you live or if it's cold there. Does the pump whine noticeably even after the car is totally warmed up? I live in the Southeast but when there are cold mornings my pump will whine but quiets down when car warms up. I've lived with it for 7 years. If yours is consistent I'd investigate further. Whining pumps for our cars is common. You don't want a leaking one!

 

Often time, low fluid level is the primary cause for whining.

In my case, the power steering reservoir is permanently stained so looking from the outside, it looks full. But when I opened the cap and looked at the little plastic dip stick, it showed low level. Actually my fluid level was so low that it was foaming/bubbling.

I'm hoping that your situation is the same as mine, in which case, just top off the fluid and problem solved!

 

Yes it's true that the reservoir on most of these old cars are stained and you cannot see the level unless you remove the dip stick...however if you find that it is low on fluid and topping it up eliminates the noise are you eliminating the problem? Power steering most likely is leaking somewhere and should be investigated.

 

Good point, Bocatrip. That will take care of the symptom, but not cure the cause. Addressing the leak will require crawling under the car to look for wet spots.

 

Power steering most likely is leaking somewhere and should be investigated. This most likely will be the cause...

 

Can you hear the whine in the car when stopped? When driving? Mine starts at 1,500 and gets worse. I usually drive 75-80 mph (around 2,200). It's just noticeable enough to be irritating. If I slow down from 80, it gets momentarily louder. Per an old post about 04's in 6th gear whining specifically at 75-80, I shifted into 5. Didn't make any difference. I shut off the heat (no blower fan) but didn't make any difference. I tried coasting at speed (wheel bearing?) but no noise. The local shop was supposed to just change the PS fluid but they did a flush and fill (without my permission). No change. Not a fan of flushing fluids on older cars. Noise (at idle) does increase with steering wheel movement. That's the classic signal that the pump is wearing out. I'm ready to just replace the pump w/ new OEM. Suggests appreciated!

 

do you use Power steering fluid or automatic transmission fluid?

 

You can use ATF DEXRON® II or III

 

Mine is a 04 and makes the same noise but there is no leak or anything car runs fine just makes the whine noise through out the powerband.

 

Suck some out add Lucas power steering leak stuff. Worked for me.

 

Mine whines when the fluid is cold. After a few minutes of driving it goes away. When I had my pump off of my engine I did notice a lot of axial play in the shaft. I didn't know if it was normal but it seemed excessive to me. It still works fine so I will hold off on replacing it.

 

am going to try rkw's ATF DEXRON® II or III suggest and see what happens.

 

I decided to go with Redline synthetic Power Steering fluid a few years ago and have not had any issues or sounds coming from my power steering... It seems to really work well and the reservoir looks almost like new.

 

Why are some people saying the pump should be changed from the top? I’d prefer to not have to remove the wheel but it’s seems logical to do so.