I was driving along this afternoon and the car started making some weird whining noise along with a little clunking at low rpms and the steering felt very very heavy. I pulled over, topped off the power steering fluid, and the clunking & whining were minimized, but it didn't really fix anything. The power steering seems to be completely gone, and now I have no A/C...it's just blowing warm air.

Any ideas what may be going on here?

Thanks in advance,

Ian

 

Well if it was whining, then I'm assuming the belt is still on fine?

Maybe the pump went out. if you want to try a new one, I have one you can buy for cheap.

 

If the power steering pump went bad, would it affect the a/c?

 

They are both driven by the same belt. Have you checked to see if the P/S pulley is seized up or if the belt is just slipping?

 

nope.....it's so dark out that I figured I'd ask you all a couple of quick questions, then check it in the morning.

So I'll check the pulley in the daylight and repost here. If it is sezed, is there anything I can do?

Thanks as always, mahjik!

 

Good morning guys.....OK, so I popped the hood this morning and saw the belt had fallen off the pulleys and the pulley for the power steering has completely come off, shaft and all (pics below)

Does this call for a new pump, or is there a fix for this?

Also, does anyone have a link with step by step instructions to remove and replace a power steering pump?

Thanks again,

Ian

 

Please buy or downloand the FSM. This way you have it as a great resource for how-to's.

Having a belt fall off doesn't mean that the pumps failed. Put on new belts and check to see if they work before buying both pumps.

 

I don't see any pictures. However, it sounds like you probably just need a new pump. If the pulley is already off, then you are half the way there to removing it. It's just held on by a few bolts on the front which were behind the pulley. There is also an electrical connection and the hose to the rack. The hose just un-bolts from the side of the unit.

 

does the pulley snapping off mean that the pump may have failed?

Pics please.

 

Looks like the bearings let go and the shaft moved out and the belt let go. Its not that hard to replace, watch the belt trension on the new pump dont get it too tight.

 

Yea, new pump time. Contact "Fritz Flynn" here on the forum. I'm sure he has a good used one he'll let go for a good price.

 

Hmmmmm...

I can see his pics, and the whole PS shaft came out along with the pulley - something broke internally on the pump, and he will almost certainly need a new one.

Dave

 

Cool....so I got the pump out and will begin the search for a replacement. My only concern right now is the car's drivability with the line leading to the pump (through the banjo bolt) and out of the pump. Do I need to plug these? What would happen if I just leave them as is for the time being?

 

He did a ninja edit.

 

So can I drive with the two lines to/from the power steering pump loose or will that cause some damage?

 

You mean the hydraulic hoses? Every time you turn the wheel fluid will come out. And dirt can get in and destroy your steering rack. You could connect the hoses to each other somehow to close/seal the circuit, but offhand I don't know of a method that's easier than getting the pump. So I would simply not drive it until you get the new PSP installed.

Dave

 

Yes, don't drive the car 'til you replace the pump, PS fluid is NASTY and not something I would want spraying all over my engine bay .

 

that sucks. i have a spare one that i dont have any use for that i will 'give' you if you just want to pay the shipping on. it will require your pump pulley wheel as just the plastic wheel on my pump is broke. (it broke in half when something was set on it accidentally) but the pump works fine otherwise.

 

CP1...I will absolutely take you up on that extremely generous offer! I'm going to PM you right now.

Thanks for being a true gentleman.

-Ian

 

Since there both on the same belt did you notice if the belt was turning when it was running. Does the belt turn when the AC is off then stop when it's on, is there even a belt?

 

LOL just saw the pictures. Let me know if you need a pump as I have several. You'll need to reuse your pulley so don't let it get broken as they break easily.

 

Haha misread. Yep I agree with the above stated.