Power Steering Cutting Out
#1
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
Power Steering Cutting Out
Guys my power steering has really been acting out lately and I'm trying to determine if It's something simple or if It's something severe.
Ever since I bought my car, the power steering pump has always made a whine/squeal whenever you turn it to full lock. But recently, It has been completely cutting out. I checked the belt, and it currently has the same amount of tension on it as the pump did when it worked fine. Personally I feel the belt could be just a little bit tighter, but this recent problem came out of nowhere and the belt has not lost any additional tension to cause the problem.
The issue here is that my power steering cuts out when trying to make a sharp turn or whenever trying to turn when the car is at a dead stop. When it first started doing this problem, it would emit a squealing noise from under the hood leading me to believe the belt was slipping. Now, even when it cuts out about 50% of the time it will squeal and the other 50 it won't. When the steering cuts out, sometimes you can man handle the wheel and with an extreme amount of force continue to turn the wheel, and sometimes you have to hit the brakes to avoid slamming into something.
Also something else I've noticed is that when it cuts out like this, usually backing off the wheel in the other direction slightly then resuming the turn will usually allow you to turn a little further before it cuts out again.
I haven't had my wheel at full lock for several weeks now, because I can't turn it that far! I checked the fluid and It's full. What is going on here!?
Ever since I bought my car, the power steering pump has always made a whine/squeal whenever you turn it to full lock. But recently, It has been completely cutting out. I checked the belt, and it currently has the same amount of tension on it as the pump did when it worked fine. Personally I feel the belt could be just a little bit tighter, but this recent problem came out of nowhere and the belt has not lost any additional tension to cause the problem.
The issue here is that my power steering cuts out when trying to make a sharp turn or whenever trying to turn when the car is at a dead stop. When it first started doing this problem, it would emit a squealing noise from under the hood leading me to believe the belt was slipping. Now, even when it cuts out about 50% of the time it will squeal and the other 50 it won't. When the steering cuts out, sometimes you can man handle the wheel and with an extreme amount of force continue to turn the wheel, and sometimes you have to hit the brakes to avoid slamming into something.
Also something else I've noticed is that when it cuts out like this, usually backing off the wheel in the other direction slightly then resuming the turn will usually allow you to turn a little further before it cuts out again.
I haven't had my wheel at full lock for several weeks now, because I can't turn it that far! I checked the fluid and It's full. What is going on here!?
#3
Re: Power Steering Cutting Out
if that belts been slipping for that long its gotta be glazed and over heated .definitely would try new belt first.other than leaks these systems are very reliable.
#4
Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Greater D.C. area.
Posts: 440
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 89 Camaro RS
Engine: LO3 TBI
Transmission: 700R4 => WC T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.42 Open Diff
Re: Power Steering Cutting Out
You know that whine you hear when you hold it on full lock? That's your pump screaming, "OWWWWWWWWWW, IT HURTS!!!!"
#5
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
Re: Power Steering Cutting Out
LOL! Yes I remember reading that holding the steering at full lock on any car for a prolonged amount of time will DRASTICALLY raise the fluid temperature and fry the pump. I never hold at full lock for more than a couple seconds at a time.
@ bcmag I couldn't agree more. Although at this point I am not ruling out the possibility of a bad pump, I am going to try replacing all the belts first and they are a tad dried. the two V-belts I just replaced two years ago too when I bought the car. One on the air pump is a POS duralast, although I'm neglecting that one since the AIR system is getting deleted.
@ bcmag I couldn't agree more. Although at this point I am not ruling out the possibility of a bad pump, I am going to try replacing all the belts first and they are a tad dried. the two V-belts I just replaced two years ago too when I bought the car. One on the air pump is a POS duralast, although I'm neglecting that one since the AIR system is getting deleted.
#6
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: BUFFALO, NY
Posts: 1,196
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: '89 IROC-Z
Engine: 355
Transmission: 700r4 edge 3000 stall
Axle/Gears: 9-bolt 3.73
Re: Power Steering Cutting Out
If its been slipping a new belt would be a good idea. Also you checked to make sure its not low on fluid right?
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
colton_carlson
Firebirds for Sale
7
03-08-2019 12:21 PM
evilstuie
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Wanted
15
04-14-2016 08:52 PM
backtothe80s
Suspension and Chassis
33
09-05-2015 12:39 AM