Power Steering Groaning

[swapped]

So ever since it first started getting cold at the start of the winter, the power steering groans really really loud when i first start the car and its really hard to turn the wheel. Once it warms up its totally fine and everything works great. If its warm outside (like in the 65 and up range) this does not happen at all.

is my pump dieing, cause if it is, that would go great with my dieing trans :D.

also, is it just the pump or is it the rack too then?

I have a 1997 Grang Am GT 3100

Thanks

[rixGAphx]

Pump or rack.

There's a mechanic's stethoscope that works well to determine the source of a noise.

A 24" of garden hose also works as a DIY version, and some people like to use a solid metal rod (though I don't put anything small near my ear drum).

Anyhow, with the engine cold but running, have an assistant twist the steering wheel to creat the groaning.

CAREFULLY, 'cuz of those pesky spinning pulleys and the belt, try to locate the exact source of the noise.
I would go with that.
The pump is MUCH easier to replace.

You have a '97, which I *believe* had the 'normal' powersteering pump, and an available optional pump with variable-assist.
The variable-assist model has an electronic plug, the normal does not.
I don't know if the variable-assist function would affect or cause a noise, even if you had it.
But the v-a pump costs more.

Good luck,
-Rick

[SE2000]

If the groan start before you turn the wheel, I'd lean towards bad pump, if the groan starts when turning the wheel, I'd lean towards rack.

[Matt95GT]

Have you triple-checked the fluid level? This will occur when the level is just a tad too low.

[tenspeed]

It might be frozen water in the fluid. Try a flush and fill.

[mattcow]

fluid is too thick because it is too cold,..put synthetic in.
next time its cold out take the cover/dip stick out of the reservoir and check out how viscous the oil is. Mine is like molasses until it warms up.

[bballr4567]

Yea PS fluid is prone to that because people rarely change it out. I highly doubt its ever been done to the 97 and it has 10 yr old fluid and this year it decided to give up. Id check the fluid first and then go from there.

[swapped]

thanks for all the answers,

would anyone enlighten me on how to do a flush and fill on the PS fluid. I know for sure the fluid level is good cause I checked it like 10 times.

[95CombatGA]

wow stupid cars, mine did the same thing this year and i cringed at the thought of a new rack but same thing, whines as soon as engine turns over and then groans until warm and then its gone... i treid a home remedy of just pumping out the fluid into a old juice bottle ( theres not much in the resevoir) and replaced with lucas, but it wasent good... that stuff got all foamy and looked like shit so i did it again and put in regular STP stuff n its still the same. but not as bad... any fast ttrack quick lube stations will do a flush for 69.99 but ewgh , i dunno if its worth it, only 12 oz fluid change for $70?

[95CombatGA]

i thouight of flushing it but thers only one line i can see coming from the pump so i havent messed around with it.

[swapped]

yeah its erally annoying. it was like high 50s today and it didn't do it at all but when it gets a bit coler it does it again. but does anyone know how to do a DIY power sterring flush? thanks

[SE2000]

Probally be easiest to pull the hose and fire the car up for a minute to pump out the fluid. Then refil, crank wheel lock to lock, check fluid level and be done. You don't need to remove all the fluid.

[swapped]

thanks, i did a search and found a tutorial, and its pretty much what you said, i'm probably gonna do it tomorrow. today i did a full trans flush, took about 13-14 quarts, the fluid that came out was really dark almost like motor oil. now its flowing a nice rich red. nice

[95CombatGA]

hey update on flush i did one 5 mins ago.... heres what i did for less than $10

seafoam trans flush ( also for powersteering)
2 bottles of steering fluid (STP brand)
1 battery acid filler ( a automotive baster lol )


removed old fluid from resevoir with the baster
add 1/4 can of the seafoam.
start car let it run for 10-15 mins while cranking the wheel lock-to-lock. i even drove it in circles
remove that fluid, it should be kinda thick and really dark.

repeat again with another 1/4 of the can until the fluid comes out almost as thin and red as it went in. this proves to have removed all comtaminents from system.

now once u did this like 4 times, add your power steering fluid repeat what u did with the cleaner one more time. this time i drove the car for 30 minutes and my clear steering fluid was tainted red still.

removed that fluid and at last, add ur last bottle of steering fluid

drive and check it again, i can bet its still clear = ) mine was

sounds kinda lenghty but it works and i did it all in about an hour.

i went to get a quote and it this is EXACTLY what repair shops do but charge u $80 bucks

hope this helps sorry bout the spelling

[Ron616]

Try to flush my power streeing just made it worst i did same as 95CombatGA has done now it is Groaning like crazy what did i di wrong any help.

Can any one tell me how power steering work with diagram.

[MantaGreen97]

From the initial description a flush was definitely in order for that guy. The fluid was probably freezing up and/or foaming because it was dirty and moisture contaminated.

If you had the exact same symptoms but it got worse after there may either be a problem with your pump, or you don't have enough fluid in there, or you just didn't bleed the system properly.

I would suggest not using the turkey baster/siphon method to remove the old fluid because then you're going back and forth adding fluid and then removing again and then adding again--a bit of a waste of time. Really you have to take the return line off and start pouring in new fluid and spinning the steering wheel back and forth with the wheels off the ground, until the return fluid comes clean.

There's a thread by pokesmot I believe about how to flush your PS fluid. If your power steering was always making noise even when it wasn't cold then there was probably an existing problem with the pump that flushing wouldn't help.

[Ron616]

I have 1999 garnd am v6 with 3400.
I dont think my power streeing fluid is circulating in rack.
How do i find out witch one is return line in ps pump.

Also can any one tell me if possibal how power streeing fluid circulate with diagram.

[MantaGreen97]

Originally posted by Ron616
I have 1999 garnd am v6 with 3400.
I dont think my power streeing fluid is circulating in rack.
How do i find out witch one is return line in ps pump.

Also can any one tell me if possibal how power streeing fluid circulate with diagram.

The return is the top line that goes into the pump, it should be just clamped on to the plastic spout on the pump. The lower one is threaded on I believe, and is the feed line.

Be careful removing/installing the return line because the spout/pipe on the pump is plastic and can break easily--if you break this you will have to remove the pump and replace the resivoir.