Hey guys,

I've just had a problem with my power steering.. long story, but here it goes:

About 4 months ago i had the power steering pump changed because there was the whining noise, and apprantly the mechanic said that was the cause of fluid loss. Then about 5 weeks later, the same thing happened, but this time it was found to be a minor leak in the PS rack! So since then, its been lasting about 4 weeks then slowly into 1 week, and now into every 2 days to top the PS fluid up after it becomes empty. I just booked in the car for next week to get the PS rack fixed which all sounds good...

But then today, i drove it out with topped up fluid, and about 1/4 mile later, the PS just fails and i have to man handle the steering wheel to get the car off the road! So i topped the fluid up again to get home, but still no PS, and when i checked the fluid level when i arrived back home - all empty, plus a burning smell from the opposite side of the PS resevoir.

So just a few question... did i just reburn and ruin the PS pump? Was that the burning smell?
And how could the fluid all go empty only after 1/4 mile when it was ok yesterday? (PS rack hasgone real big, or more likely the pump just had it?)

hope you guys are able to give me some pointers here.. i know i'm adouchbag for keeping the problem so long thanks!

 

yea u may have destroyed the pump having it running with no fluid in there. Remember the fluid acts as lubrication too. The internals probably seized.

 

One other thing..You have to make sure you're using the right powerstearing fluid. The crap that costs like 30 bucks a quart. Non mineral PS fluid or some crap like that. The PS pump could fail because of that as well. Not sure about the burning smell though. Probabaly has some thing to do with the pump I'd imagine

 

i am 99% sure your powersteering pump is fine, unless you put in generic ps fluid. a ps seal on the rack and pinion is busted, so the fluid just is dumping out of that seal. you might even notice the fluid in your wheel well. when you get your rack and pinion replaced, have them check the pump real quick.

 

I had the steering rack replaced with a remanufactured one from;

www.carsteering.com

The total cost was $1,000

 

Check your belt. Maybe it just broke.

 

Not the belt. Fluid is leaking and the belt turns the alternator.