Good running 2003 Discovery displayed poor steering almost overnight. Open hood, found fluid low. Added fluid, immediately see a leak underneath and not from any hoses. Steering is making very loud wind up and increases directly with increased engine rpm. Fluid does appear to be moving in the reservoir. Can the pump be bad while still moving fluid? What is best method to T/S where the malfunction may be? In steering pump, steering box, line, etc? Pulled off larger hose which appeared to have fluid around it, cleaned it up, and reattached hose. Added fluid and started engine. Makes a louder than normal whine when running and louder when turning left or right. Don't see any obvious leaks but the original fluid had to have gone somewhere. the clamp on the larger hose appeared to be somewhat loose and could have possibly allowed a leak and subsequent low fluid level which may have damaged pump. Now without an obvious leak but degraded performance from steering pump how can you determine if it is the pump and not the steering box or something else? UPDATE: cleaned off all underside areas including plastic cover plates that retain oil and water. Added fluid to just above the max line in both sides of reservoir. Bled system and test drove 3 times including last run to store for cold beer. It is in the high 90's here in Alabama. Anyway, no fluid drop, no noise and no steering lag or degradation. Must have been the loose clamp on the main line allowing fluid to leak until the system either was just too low or had air entrapment. Thanks for the advice and inputs.

 

Your pump is bad replace it. Advanced has rebuilt pumps with lifetime warranties I believe.

 

Make sure to do a full flush when replacing the pump, use power steering fluid not ATF and throw a bottle of Lucas p/s additive for good measure.

 

this may be a silly question, but what's the best way to flush the power steering system?

 

check out Disco Mike's post above and download the RAVE manual. there is a section in there on how to do it (you'll need a helper to turn the steering wheel).

 

suck out the tank, refill and turn the wheels a few times then suck out and refill. use PAS fluid on a DII

 

turkey baster