Power steering squealing whining sound... Please help!!!

[mansjeep]

Please help.

Four days ago I had to take the Jeep to the shop to fix a broken bracket for the alternator. That was was easily fixed. However, a day after, my steering suddenly started making noises (squealing, etc.). When I opened the steering pump, the fluid was "bubbling". I took it asap to the shop again but they told me that there was just trapped air in the power steering system and that eventually the system would just bleed out in a day or two.

However, its been three days now and the squealing won't stop. Further, though I'm not sure, I think the squealing is actually getting a bit louder. Please note though that my power steering still works (since the wheel is still rather easy to turn). However, the squeal is really getting annoying.

A few other observations that may help:

1. The squeal is present even when I don't turn the wheel when I'm travelling
2. The squealing somehow increases with acceleration
3. The pitch of the squealing (and intensity) changes when I turn the wheel either left or right
4. The power steering fluid level is checked and fine

Is my power steering pump going bad or is already bad? But why is the steering wheel still easy to turn? What explains the bubbles? Any diagnostic steps I could use? Could this be just misalignment of the pulleys? Over-tight or loose belt? Gripping or locking of some suspension parts? Clog in the power steering pressure? etc?!?

Really appreciate your help guys! Thanks! Please shoot me more clarificatory questions if you want. I really want to do some preliminary diagnosis before I take this back to the shop (they might want to start replacing the pump and other parts without really knowing for sure what's wrong.)

[Saudade]

First of all, are you sure it's the PS pump? Bubbling would indicate air but how did it get in there unless the shop disconnected the lines. To bleed them, start the car and turn the wheel from one extreme tot he other and back. Repeat and few times then check the level, fill as needed. Continue until no bubbles present.

Did you check your belt? The serpentine belt is a bear to adjust. It's possible it's a bit loose and turning the wheel puts a load on the PS pump and makes the belt slip a bit.

[mansjeep]

Hmmm, thanks for the input Saudade... but what about the "bubbles"? I Does this fact rule out a "slipping belt" and other possibilities like binding or locking up of my suspension parts (pitman, etc.)? Help please?

[b1gfella]

If you are not having any other steering problems than what you describe in your first note:

From the 94 shop manual Power Steering System Diagnosis section:

==========================================
Problem: Belt Squeal (particularly noticeable at full wheel travel and standstill parking)

Possible Cause: Pump Belt Slipping

Correction: Tighten or replace belt

==========================================
Problem: Foaming Milky Looking Power Steering Fluid, Low Level and Possible Low Pressure

Possible Cause: Air in the Fluid, and loss of fluid due to internal pump leakage causing overflow

Correction: Check for leak and correct. Bleed System, extreme cold temp will cause system aeration should the oil level be low. If oil level is correct and pump still foams, remove pump from vehicle and seperate reservoir from housing. Check Welsh plug and housing for cracks. If plug is loose or housing is cracked, replace housing.
===========================================

Now, knowing that to tighten/loosen the belt you have to move the Power Steering pump, it is a possibility the shop may have damaged the pump trying to adjust the belt as they are not simple to adjust like a single slide bolt on an old alternator!

[mansjeep]

@b1gfella

Thanks for the most informative post. I have just "loosened" the belt (someone recommended it as the belt felt too tight) but the sound and milky foam is still there. Anyhow, will try to look it up tomorrow. Thing is, i would still be needing a mechanic to remove and check the pump, etc. Can't do that by myself.

Will post updates soon. Thanks again!

[bigenoughxj]

ok this is what i want you to do. get a turkey baster and suck out all of the fluid (With jeep off) then refill to the cold mark. Leave the cap off and restart the jeep let run at high idle (1500 RMP) and turn the wheel back and forth without hitting the stops (You may want to park on grass since concrete eats tires) do this until the jeep reaches normal running temp. then shut it off recheck the fluid (Now at hot mark) repeat until the pump is quiet.
(Note, if you repeat more than twice and the pump noise is still there and you have replaced the belt your pump is defective)

[mansjeep]

Thanks bigenoughxj. Will try that soon as I have the time.

If it's any help, I think there's an improvement in the squeal (more like a whine that increases with rpm) soon after I loosened the belt. Does this help in the diagnosis? If indeed my pump is shot, how come my steering wheel is still easy to turn? Looking forward to input.

[bigenoughxj]

anytime.. btw do not over fill the pump.

[mansjeep]

Just as an update. The squeal is still there. I have just replaced my water pump and had the belt aligned apparently, the alternator wasn't aligned.

There is definitely foaming in the power steering and the mechanic suggested that I buy the P/S repair kit (around $30) since he thinks there'sa leak in the P/S system. BY the way, a replacement P/S system costs about $200 here!

Anyhow, I'd like to ask you guys what you would do if you were in my shoes? Is it worth a $30 shot at changing the seals? Or should I just go all the way for the replacement pump? Pls advise. Thanks!

[mansjeep]

@b1gfella

Would like to followup your thread. I can't seem to find an illustration as to how a "Welsh plug" looks like and where it might be located. Pls help? Thanks!

[[Fe]weapon]

Im not completely sure about your year of jeep
but I do know that on mine the serpentine belt can be put on wrong.
If there was nothing wrong with the power steering when you went in for altenator service would you not be best to assume the problem is related to the work done?

nice jeep btw biggie

[b1gfella]

Inow you knwo the jeep shop manual talks about the Welsh plug just in that one place!! Go figure. Anyway, they say to take the pump off, remove the pulley (might be easier to do this first!), then remove the tank from the top of the pump. There is a tube junction between the two pieces with an o-ring on it. I would suspect they pried on your pump trying to tighten or loosen the belt just like people do with the alternator on older cars. Problem is that plastic tank doesn't much like that, especially with just that one connection. Anyway, once you get the pulley off and the pump removed there are two sliders on either side that hold the two pieces together. Remove them and the tank comes off of the pump and you could inspect it for damage. Your probably better off just going to a salvage yard and buying a new pump/tank assembly, inspecting it, then swapping the two. Remember if you do not get the system purged of air it will also cause this foaming effect. Let me know if you want anything else from the shop manual. I can scan parts in and send them your way if you really want to do this yourself.

[mansjeep]

@b1gfella

Thanks for the kind offer. I'm going to take it! I just ordered a P/S repair kit (only $15) and will try this option. I'm really interested in what that Welsh plug looks like / where it is located. I already cleaned out the "filter" to no avail. If you can please send the scanned pic/s or pages to my email at [email protected]

Thanks a lot!

mans

[RideSouth]

Originally Posted by mansjeep

Just as an update. The squeal is still there. I have just replaced my water pump and had the belt aligned apparently, the alternator wasn't aligned.

There is definitely foaming in the power steering and the mechanic suggested that I buy the P/S repair kit (around $30) since he thinks there'sa leak in the P/S system. BY the way, a replacement P/S system costs about $200 here!

Anyhow, I'd like to ask you guys what you would do if you were in my shoes? Is it worth a $30 shot at changing the seals? Or should I just go all the way for the replacement pump? Pls advise. Thanks!

a good way to check where the leak in a ps system is coming from is to check where the fluid is going. if it's all over the place than it could be the pressure hose that has a leak but it would most likely be spraying from on the manifold and you would be noticing some smoke from the engine and chances are you would also be losing fluid fast. generally that whining sound comings from the power steering being low or a lot of air in the hoses. too much in coming air could be a result of the pump but i would check the hoses first. to really check them you'll have to pull the fan assembly off aswell as the air box for your filter. you'll notice that unfortunately the pressure hose from the ps pump sits right next to and sometimes touch the hot manifold. when you replace the part or put the hold back on try to tighten the bolts while holding the hose at least 1 inch from the manifold to prevent the heat from frying your hose. if you aren't losing power stearing fluid at a rapid rate likely it's isn't the pump or the pressure hose and the seals should hopefully fix it. if it doesn't i would look into new pumps. it should only cost you about 70$ without the core charge. check online at autozone.com. i ran into a problem with my pressure hose but i checked into pump prices and they aren't that expensive. kind of a pain in the ass to replace but you can do it with a cresent wrench and a screw driver.