Power Steering Failure?

[birdhouse]

Ok, this really suck. I'm still in VA doing that school thing up, and I went to go drive my car 2 days ago, and as I'm backing up I notice the wheel has no turn on it whatsoever. I'm like, "oh shit... what the hell is wrong now??" This was at night, so I chilled until the morning and then tried to see what was up. I had my friend Joe help me look at it and we can't figure out what is wrong... There is a full resevoir of power steering fluid, the belt's turning, and everything looks and sounds fine... I just have no power steering whatsoever... Anyone have any ideas on what the culprut could be??

Corey

[rixGAphx]

Originally posted by birdhouse
...There is a full resevoir of power steering fluid, the belt's turning, and everything looks and sounds fine... I just have no power steering whatsoever...
Either :
1. The pump seals (inside, where the vanes turn and meet the walls of the pump) are blown; or,
2. The seals within the rack, that transfer the fluid pressure to the rack, are blown.

Disconnecting the pressure hose at the rack will let you see if the pump is producing pressure (drain it into a funnel and bucket).
If there's pressurized fluid there, then the pump is OK and the rack is bad.

I've only experieinced racks blowing out their end seals, and leaking onto the engine bay/ground.

My money would be on the PS pump, but then,

It's not my money, it's yours so check it out thoroughly before trying an expensive replacement.

Good luck.
-Rick

[Colin]

Probably the pump , they have been known to break the shaft inside the pump from what i hear . :(

[birdhouse]

Thanks for the info. guys... I'm just gonna drive her back to PA without power steering I guess.. :(

[birdhouse]

Ok, me and my dad are tackling the power steering pump right now. We got a replacement from a junkyard for 45 bucks. My question is, is there anything we need to be wary of when changing this? Or, is it a simple swap?

[birdhouse]

Awesome! We changed the pump and now everything is in working order! I drove it around for a little bit and she's back to her normal self.