98 Power steering pump issue

[swipter]

On my 98 Lesabre the power steering pump was changed 23K ago. On occasion it growns when I turn the wheel at low speeds. The fluid is full. The dealer will not replace without paying for everything in full again. What can cause this and is it difficult to change the power steering pump? Do you need any special tools to remove the hoses?

[public]

Is this a rebuilt unit? Did they put the proper type of fluid in ?

[swipter]

I think it is rebuilt but do not know about the fluid.

[avatar307]

Power steering systems make a low grown normally, but not something loud enough that you should notice it when driving with the windows up.

For example, if you turn the wheel when the car parked, the system will make a louder hydralic type noise due to the fact that more load is being placed on the system. Likewise, if you hold the steering wheel all the way to one side, the system will make the same noise. (Which is why you shouldn't hold the steering wheel hard over. Produces extra wear on the power steering system.)

Just wanted to make sure that's not the noise you're hearing.

Beyond that, my guess would be the wrong type of fluid causing the pump to need to work harder to move it. This seems unlikely though, as to my knowledge there is only one type of power steering fluid.

Someone would of had to really screw up and dump engine oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, or something in it. Perhaps they filled it with generic hydralic fluid thinking it was all the same thing... then again, what mechanic keeps a barrel of hydralic fluid around. LOL

What kind of grown is it exactly? Like a really loud power steering / hydralic piston hissing noise? Or something else entirely?

It might not be the power steering pump that's having issues. Though the replacement of the pump may of caused the system to react with the correct forces and busted another part of the steering assemblies.

[swipter]

It is a deep growling moan. Like I said it isn't all the time. I can always change the fluid and see if that fixes it. It hasn't growled at me today.

[piewagn]

It sounds like you have a concern with the "spool" valve in the rack. You may try changing the fluid. It may help. Sometimes cavitation noise may resonate through the pressure line during parking maneuvers. it's just more of an annoyance than anything else.