97 LeSabre power steering problem

[Tuftont]

My 97 LeSabre power steering is very hard to turn in both directions...When the car is cold for the first 2 minutes or so it works ok but, as soon as it warms up it loses power steering...Also if I get the RPM's up it seem's to regain some of the power...I bought the car with this problem...It has 50k miles...The fluid is not low...The belt seems ok and does not squeal and I don't see any leaks...I can hear a very faint power steering pump sound like the fluid is low when I turn it...I am guessing it is a bad pump but, wouldn't it be bad all the time...Before I spend the $100 bucks and time to put a pump in I wanted to see if anyone had any idea's or similar problems...

Thanks!

[yogi_123rd]

Your pump is bad.

Had a simular problem, nothing leaking too. As the oil in the pump warmed up, pump pressure went down (oil thinned).

[Lasota]

Before you change the pump you could try some Lucas Power steering conditioner. I used in my 2000 because I was losing power asist at times. Worked for me.

[Tuftont]

Hey, Thanks guys...I will try the conditioner first...If it doesn't work I guess I will be replacing the aqwardly located pump...

[auto trainy]

You might want to try bleeding the system since they have a two page article on it in the service manuals.

[Tuftont]

Thanks Auto...I have never bleed a power steering system before...Is it similar to bleeding a break system or any other type of hydraulic system???...Any tips you can give me would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks!

[auto trainy]

Originally Posted by Tuftont

Thanks Auto...I have never bleed a power steering system before...Is it similar to bleeding a break system or any other type of hydraulic system???...Any tips you can give me would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks!

No, I don't have my book available but I beleive you have to jack up the front end and turn the wheel so many times both ways,but maybey someone else has a more disciptive method its been a long time.

[Tuftont]

Hey...Thanks anyways...Looks like I will be buying the service manual...

[auto trainy]

I just checked the manual and it states to support the front of car letting front end hang so you can turn the wheel both ways ,1 turn the wheel to extreem left and fill reservoir to full cold and leave cap off,2 have someone watch the level while turning 20 times to each end with the car off,3 lower the car and replace the cap,start the car and let heat up and when warmed up turn 2 times each way with the cap on,check the level and if still ng replace the pump and bleed again the same way,good luck

[Tuftont]

Thanks!!!