HELP!! Power Steering

[MK_rider]

When i start my car, my power steering would work. then as i drive along, it starts to get hard to turn. it only works when i start the car, after that, its just hard to turn. i don't know anything about power steering, so any help would great. thanks

 

[SupraMaster]

OK. There could be several things wrong with this, it's just a matter of thinning out the list.

1. Have you checked the power steering fluid?
2. Check the belt tension.
3. Make sure the PS lines aren't corroded or torn.
4. A few other things, but check these first.

I would personally suggest starting the car, letting it warm up, then pop the hood and check to see if your PS belt is flapping up and down. Turn the car off so you don't become a hand short. Get on your back and get your noggin and at least one arm under the car. Grab the PS pump and see if you can wiggle it back and forth on the mount.

Due to the current symptoms I would say it's the belt.

 

[sneakypete]

i would also try taking out the reservoir, and cleaning the screen on the bottom. its probably all clogged up.

 

[Denash]

Hi Im Deen
I am having the same problem with mine and i have done all the pressure test , everything checked ok.
my last thing to check is the solenoid on the steering rack.
this could also be your problem.
Let me know if you come right maybe you can help me out.
deen@essentialgroup.co.za

 

[vdragonmpc]

I had flushed my power steering and used Pennzoil ATF from Pep-Boys in the yellow gallon container.

My Supra absolutely HATED it. It whined and actually got very tight (no power steering) I reflushed it with Castrol Import ATF from Auto Zone and I have to say its quieted down and seems to be fine.

My screen was clogged nasty when I did the first flush. I had to push 4 times to get the crap out and see red fluid.

Make sure you use ATF in the power steering and use no 'special sealer' or tweak fluid... Its just asking for trouble.

V

 

[DegreE]

Can you flush the PS fluid without a machine?

 

[sneakypete]

yea... i flushed my fluid before and it still whined. but then i removed the reservoir and used degreaser to get all the gunk out of it. flush it out from the drain so it will be forced out. you should be able to see through the screen.
after that it never squealed again.

 

[cartel1_950]

sounds like your belt is MIA. same thing happened to mine. be sure to change it ASAP cause you can stress the pressure line and thats a pain in the ass to fix and costs an arm and a leg unless you can find one on here

 

[MK_rider]

OK. There could be several things wrong with this, it's just a matter of thinning out the list.

1. Have you checked the power steering fluid?
2. Check the belt tension.
3. Make sure the PS lines aren't corroded or torn.
4. A few other things, but check these first.

I would personally suggest starting the car, letting it warm up, then pop the hood and check to see if your PS belt is flapping up and down. Turn the car off so you don't become a hand short. Get on your back and get your noggin and at least one arm under the car. Grab the PS pump and see if you can wiggle it back and forth on the mount.

Due to the current symptoms I would say it's the belt.

OKay, i have enough powere steering fluid already and and i used dexron atf. i haven't checked the belt or the PS lines. i'll let you know soon. it's too dark wet and dark out.

 

[vdragonmpc]

OKay, i have enough powere steering fluid already and and i used dexron atf. i haven't checked the belt or the PS lines. i'll let you know soon. it's too dark wet and dark out.

There is an easy way to flush the fluid.

Get a funnel.
Get a length of hose and a coupler at autozone
drain out enough fluid from the resevior so your return (line on the side) wont drip and then disconnect the line from the resivior. I capped the res with a short length of hose with a bolt in it. Connect the coupler to the line coming up from the fender that was attached to the resevior. I put the hose end into a gallon milk jug.
Remove the efi fuse
Have someone bump the car over a couple of times and you will begin to fill the jug. Make sure that you add the new fluid as you do this as it drains out faster than you think!
I flushed mine out 2-3 times after removing the res and cleaning the hell out of it.

I also used the Castrol Import ATF, Pennzoil acted wierd in the car.

V

 

[MK_rider]

Alright, so far i'ved checked the resovoir, the belt, and the pump. everything seems to be okay. the only thing that i haven't checked yet was the screen inside the resovoir. i will double check everything just to make sure.