I've noticed recently that whenever I turn the wheel on the car ('84 T/A) I hear (and almost feel) a low frequency rumble. It stops as soon as I stop turning the wheel, whether the wheels are straight or not. Doesn't seem to go away if I do this at different engine speeds, either. Is this a typical sign of the power steering pump or box going out? I've recently rebuilt the PS pump, but I'm wondering if it's had too much wear on it where a typical rebuild (mostly replacement of internal gaskets/seals) wouldn't help it any.....

Thanks!

 

I'd check your fluid level, i sounds like it might be a little low, causing you the problem your seeing.

 

That's what I had first thought was going on- but I've checked it several times and it's between the dipstick marks....

 

Oh, one other thing I noticed today- the symptoms don't appear unless the car's been driven for a while. Doesn't do it at all from a cold start.....

 

Perhaps it is a tight or loose belt? Or are any of the hoses kinked?

 

The hi-pressure hose is brand new- put it in when the pump was rebuilt....

However the belt is a bit loose- with moderate pressure on my thumb, I can probably get about 3/4" deflection on the belt from the pump to the crank. But the belt running along the PS/AC/Water Pump/Crank is pretty tight...... I'll retighten the PS/Crank belt to see if it helps, though. Failing that though, what else could I check?

 

Ok I tightened up the belts and took it for a test drive- after it warmed up, I still get that rumbling sound, so that wasn't it....

Using a dowel rod, I had someone crank the wheel back and forth with the engine running, and held the end of the rod to both the pump body and the steering box. The vibration's definately coming from the box.....

Sounds like the box will need to be rebuilt- but would I be able to do that or would I be better off replacing it or having someone else rebuild it? Has anyone tried rebuilding a PS steering box?

 

Actually, a very common problem with some cars is that the steering box creates a lot of torque for where it is located and ends up damaging the mounting location. So I would check out where it is mounted to see if there are any cracks or anything. Maybe even tighten up the bolt(s)? No need to rebuild it if that isn't the problem right? Try the cheapest things first is my moto when checking for problems.

 

You're right- I'd rather not have to rebuild it unless it turns out that the box IS the problem

I have heard about some cars cracking their frames in the steering box area, and for some time I've been wondering if I've got that problem. Aside from this low frequency noise issue, I have noticed that either in stopping or turning a corner I would hear a 'pop' up front. I know it can't be my ball joints or A-frame bushings as I had replaced them recently. But in reading on the board I've heard it suggested that the popping sound is another manifestation of this cracking issue around the box mounting area....

I'll run the car up on a ramp, degrease the area and check it for cracks or loose bolts. Are the cracks easy to spot without removing the box, though?

 

They may be, and they may not. If you don't see any signs of cracking without removing it, then what you do from there is your choice. If you remove it and there are no cracks anywhere, then hey, you have it off to rebuild it or replace it, don't you? All I can say from now on is good luck.

 

True- but then again either way I'll have to remove the box if I do see cracks w/o removing the box (for repair)......if I don't see cracks I'll have to remove the box to look behind it (and again it would have to be removed for repair).... and if there's still no cracks then at least I have the box out so I can have it rebuilt

It looks like what it comes down to is that to make life easier I should just remove the box and inspect the area- fix the cracks if they're there or fix the box if they aren't.