Power Steering Went Out!

8

86StangLX

New Member

Feb 25, 2004

52

0

0

Nov 12, 2004

#1

• Nov 12, 2004

• #1

Hey guys,

My power steering has been working fine lately. But when I went to start my car this afternoon, the power steering was totally gone. I checked the fluid level and it's fine, I don't see any leaks or anything like that. I have no idea. Could the pump have just gone out like that? With no warning? Thanks for your help.

-Paul

 

P

PonyBoy90

Founding Member

Aug 30, 2002

555

0

0

Toronto

Nov 12, 2004

#2

• Nov 12, 2004

• #2

Yeah, it's possible for your pump to just give up like that.

Usually if you have a leak, you can prolong fixing the problem as long as you keep topping up the reservior, maybe even help it with some Valvoline Max Life with stop leak.

But with your situation, no fluids getting pumped into the rack to assist with the steering.

If you start your engine and turn the steering wheel to the left or right you should hear a sound coming from the pump if it's working. If it's silent, your pumps out.

 

8

86StangLX

New Member

Feb 25, 2004

52

0

0

Nov 12, 2004

#3

• Nov 12, 2004

• #3

Thanks for your help PonyBoy. I'm thinking it's gone. Just glad it went out in my driveway. Any other ways to check to see if it's functioning?

 

90mustangGT

I felt sorry for girls because

Founding Member

Jan 15, 2002

2,773

17

89

Dallas, GA

Nov 12, 2004

#4

• Nov 12, 2004

• #4

I bet it is the rack. Does the pump make a lot of noise???

 

8

86StangLX

New Member

Feb 25, 2004

52

0

0

Nov 13, 2004

#5

• Nov 13, 2004

• #5

No, the pump isn't making any noise. With the car running, I pulled off the cap and looked at the fluid and it was totally stagnent. No bubbles or movement whatsoever. This leads me to believe there is no circulation happening.

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

34

129

Nov 13, 2004

#6

• Nov 13, 2004

• #6

so your power assist went away?
is the pulley turning (or frozen with the belt slipping over it)?

 

8

86StangLX

New Member

Feb 25, 2004

52

0

0

Nov 13, 2004

#7

• Nov 13, 2004

• #7

The pulley is turning. And yes, my power assist went totally away.

 

8

86StangLX

New Member

Feb 25, 2004

52

0

0

Nov 13, 2004

#8

• Nov 13, 2004

• #8

Okay, I pulled the hoses off the pump, and started turning the pulley by hand. When I did that, fluid started coming out of the pump, which leads me to believe that the pump is working, but the rack went out. Just looking for second opinions. Any ideas?

 

90mustangGT

I felt sorry for girls because

Founding Member

Jan 15, 2002

2,773

17

89

Dallas, GA

Nov 13, 2004

#9

• Nov 13, 2004

• #9

The fluid will look stagnet in the resivour, but if you take some out down into the actual pump it will be another story. If the rack goes out, either the valves are frozen shut or the rack seals went out so the fluid is just bypassing.

 

8

86StangLX

New Member

Feb 25, 2004

52

0

0

Nov 13, 2004

#10

• Nov 13, 2004

• #10

Thanks--so does that mean I need to replace the entire rack? I'm quite unfamiliar with this portion of the car. Does the rack go out suddenly like that? It just seems odd. Thanks again!