I have an '03 Disco SE7 with 67K on the clock.

I just finished the 60K service, prior to the service started leaking a lot of power steering fluid. I checked and topped off the fluid before every start so it never got empty or very far below the min line. After one start the fluid was "foaming" in the reservoir so it seems some air has gotten into the system. There was a leak in the low pressure hose, hose has been replaced, system drained, refilled and bled (refilled with Rover PS Fluid and Lucas Additive), no more leaks but still sounds awful.

So my though is the pump has sustained some damage and is on it's way out. My questions are:
1. Does my diagnosis seem accurate?
2. Is there anything I can do to salvage the pump?
3. If the pump failing is inevitable, what is the best source (reliability and cost-wise) for a replacement (new, used, rebuilt whatever)?

Much thanks in advance for any help you can provide.
Cheers,
Rob

 

Oh, and the vehicle does not have ACE
***bump****

anyone have any advice? anyone? Bueller?

 

Well you could go to a LR dealership or AB and spend 400 plus bucks on one or you could go to an auto parts store, i.e. Checkers, and get a nearly identical pump for half as much with a lifetime guarantee. If you are getting serious whining from the pump it could be going out and it might seize up on you, i had this happen to me about a month and a half ago about 350 miles from home. It took out my serpentine belt and sucked big time. just my 2 cents.

 

Sounds right to me. I will say that I got stranded in Dallas due to a bad pump. I got one at Advance for a lower price, but had to replace that one once I got home, and then again a few weeks later. I have a good one in now, but be prepared to swap a few times if you get a bad one. I was kinda stuck with the route I went, and I would have bought genuine if I had a choice. Then again, $150 vs $400, I didn't mind changin it out a few times.

 

You can always find used pumps for $70 shipped. I've had good luck with mine. The rebuilt pumps sound like a great idea but you will probably need to replace it multiple times until you find a good one.