Is My Steering Pump Toast?
 

During a family trip, the steering pump hose started leaking fluid all over the place. The steering fluid reservoir was pretty much dry. Since we were so far from home, I drove home without power steering assist.

Once home, replaced both pressure hoses. No leaks.

Now the steering is groaning both directions.

I filled with Autozone power steering fluid to the max line.

I did many 3 point turns. Still groaning. I looked inside the reservoir. It looks like it's flowing when the engine is on. Frothy looking.

Is my power steering pump toast?

Thanks

You can try bleeding the system first (doesn't sound like you did), but more than likely your pump is toast.

I did not bleed the system. I'm not sure how to do that. Do I just loosen the bleeder screw and turn the wheel from side to side?

I do get power assist lock to lock. It just groans. It is not stiff unless I try steering while parked engine on.

With engine off, loosen the bleed nipple with a socket (I forget, maybe 8mm??), then tighten it thumb tight so that it is ready for your bleed.

If you want to minimize the mess, get some surgical tubing that tightly fits over the vertical facing bleed nipple on your PS box (driver side below PS reservoir) and run that tubing to the bottom of a large container such as a gallon antifreeze jug.

THEN... you can start the motor and open the bleed nipple. If you don't see PS fluid coming out of it into your tubing/jug, then turn your steering wheel 1 direction, watch fluid again, etc.






You can skip these steps but it makes a mess.

I've done the same but with the front wheels off the ground. Worked well.

Just went thru all of this with my DISCO. After doing all of the above I finally bought a new unit from this guy on eBay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-POWER-S...gAAOSwMqVaoxMY

It was a easy fix. No more leaks and noise.

How long ago did you install this pump? I've read a bunch of forum reviews on the cheaper ebay pumps not lasting long and went back to the groaning noise.

Buy one with a "Lifetime" warranty, preferably local. I purchased one from CARQUEST, had to exchange the first one after it failed a few weeks in, been running the free replacement one for 5 years? now...I purchased a rebuild kit for my original unit and carry it as a spare.