Power Steering Went Out!

[86StangLX]

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

 

[PonyBoy90]

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.

 

[86StangLX]

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

 

[86StangLX]

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]

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

 

[86StangLX]

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

 

[86StangLX]

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]

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.

 

[86StangLX]

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!