Ok, I replaced the rack & pinion on my 90T the other day. NOw for some reason the p/s pump makes noises. it sounds like it is running dry... It has fluid in it. I've turned the wheels back and forth with it running to purge the system, I've even pulled the return line and flushed the system. I'm running Valvoline Dexron mercon GM type ATF in it. Am I missing something here?? b/c if I look in the resevoir the fluid looks to be airaited. like full of bubbles. I can't figure this out.
Power steering pump Issues after Rack replacment
- Thread starter Supra5MGTE
- Start date
When getting the air out of the ps system. I think you should uncap the resivoir if i'm not mistakened. You do this such that the air has somewhere to escape. Also, check the screen like mentioned above. Just take out the resivoir and clean it to death. Get some compressed air, cleaning agent and give a good wash down... dry it out completely and reinstall.
You really shouldnt have to clean out anything power steering related...our cars use ATF, which is notorious for cleaning stuff because of it's detergent content percentage. Its loaded with detergents.
Therefore, since everything around it is usually cleaned, all of the crap would gather easier in the screen than on a reservoir that uses regular PS fluid theoretically.
More often than not, that noise means your pump isnt getting fluid
Therefore, since everything around it is usually cleaned, all of the crap would gather easier in the screen than on a reservoir that uses regular PS fluid theoretically.
More often than not, that noise means your pump isnt getting fluid
hmm, sounds like there is a small leak somewhere... check hoses for cracks? This is exactly what happened to me about two weeks ago, and it turned out to be the little 3-5" hose that comes from the bottom of the reservoir to the hardline, it had little cracks in it... was that hose replaced?
I just replaced the hose, filled it up, and the whine was gone!
edit: and make sure you don't overfill the reservoir...it will overflow like SICK!
I just replaced the hose, filled it up, and the whine was gone!
edit: and make sure you don't overfill the reservoir...it will overflow like SICK!
Well I'll pull the resevior and see if it's clogged up or somin. go from there. Wondering if i hooked up the lines to the rack correctly. I think the lower is the pressure and the upper/rear is the return? lol. The fluid looked original, it was brown, crusty and stunk to the heavens. I think I might of knocked some crap lose and it's starving the pump.
Might just have a guttful of air jack the front up and turn it lock to lock 10>20 times with it idling and see if it burps.
IJ. said:
100%. My auto teacher (who worked for GM for 10-20 years, worked as an engineer for Merc-Benz) runs it through his diesel pickup and little gas turbo Sprint every once in a while to clean up the insides..gas lines, injectors, etc. Both have 300,000mi+ on them. Also, keep in mind that in auto trannies, you cant get any buildup in the narrow oil valleys else it wouldnt work, shift right, etc., which my guess, is why they have such high level in detergents, to make sure it stays clean.
Whenever I get a car in for repairs at the dealership, I check the PS level, which also is more often than not, ATF. While doing so, I drip some on the reservoir, which is always dirty because of the vent on the cap and regular engine bay juck, and wipe it down. Literally looks brand new, gets all the crap off. Ran some through the DD and although I didnt notice too much of a difference, I think it did get a 1% increase in efficientcy :biglaugh:
ATF can run through engines without problem, as it burns ashless and only leaves behind a minor harmless oil residue. When I'm bored and have no work, I dip my mentor's tools in ATF and it takes all the years of shit right off, looking brand new and shiny. I have personally seen it work, and yes, it does work, I'm not making anything up
FIXED IT!!!!!! THANK YOU GUYS!!! the resevior was so full of crap at the bottom... omg!! It took me 30 minutes of cleaning to get it all out. I never knew the resv. had a screen at the bottom. There were chunks coming out biggger than frosted flakes. I used the garden hose to back flush it about 100x's. Carb cleaner, PB'Laster... everything. debre just kept coming out. put it back on, burped it.... PERFECT. the wheel is much easier to turn, no noises from the pump like it's dry.... absolutely perfect. thanks again. I learned something new today.
Orion ZyGarian said:
Might want to check out what's actually in ATF before you spread an Urban Myth there Orion!
5M: Well done!
ATF is pretty strong stuff. I've known that for years. the 1 qt ATF in the engine for a few minutes as an engine flush trick, another old timers trick is 1 qt of ATF in the Gas tank to clean out the fuel system. So yes ATF is very detergent(esk). Either way. lets drop it before we get into a pissing contest . lol. my girl's p/s issue is solved; main priority. thanks again.
When will that old myth die? The composition of ATF is well known. Mechanics need to stop looking at these things as car stuff and start looking at them as what they are. Autos and PS are hydraulic systems and ATF is nothing more than a slightly specialized hydraulic fluid. As with all hydraulic fluids it has (nor needs) little to no detergency. It has dispersants but that's not the same thing. It also has a fair amount of anti-oxidants in it. I think that's what confuses some people regarding it's ability to "keep" trannys clean. That and hydraulic parts live in a much more forgiving environment than do engine intenals.
You'd think Quaker State would know:
Myth Number 12: http://tinyurl.com/j2kng
Supra5MGTE: Check over at BITOG, they've killed that goose more than once.
http://tinyurl.com/hglrb
Read the entire thread. Molakule knows his stuff. He's a chemist and lubricant engineer.
Sure ATF has been used for cleaning combustion deposits by intake injection it does that in a different way. People who put in in their gas are pretty close to being nuts imo. It's the Marvel Mystery Snake Oil thing all over again. The bottom line is ATF has a tiny amount of detergency compared to motor oil and a quart in the sump does nothing but thin the oil.
I'd also point out (all in good fun) that anyone who doesn't know every hydraulic system made requires a suction screen probably isn't going to be too familar with hydraulic fluids
. Bit of sloppy work that, changing a rack without doing a full clean of the tank and screen. It's a hydraulic system....crap in the fluid is why the rack died in the first place.
You'd think Quaker State would know:
Myth Number 12: http://tinyurl.com/j2kng
Supra5MGTE: Check over at BITOG, they've killed that goose more than once.
http://tinyurl.com/hglrb
Read the entire thread. Molakule knows his stuff. He's a chemist and lubricant engineer.
Sure ATF has been used for cleaning combustion deposits by intake injection it does that in a different way. People who put in in their gas are pretty close to being nuts imo. It's the Marvel Mystery Snake Oil thing all over again. The bottom line is ATF has a tiny amount of detergency compared to motor oil and a quart in the sump does nothing but thin the oil.
I'd also point out (all in good fun) that anyone who doesn't know every hydraulic system made requires a suction screen probably isn't going to be too familar with hydraulic fluids
. Bit of sloppy work that, changing a rack without doing a full clean of the tank and screen. It's a hydraulic system....crap in the fluid is why the rack died in the first place.
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well, learn somin new everyday then.
What was the problem with the p/s afterall? -Crud in the bottom of the resevior. Starving the pump. the fluid that did come out was goopy brown and stunk to the high heavens. the bottom of the Resv was FULL of crap. Never seen so much crap in my life. Chunks the size of corn flakes were coming out. Took 1 can of brake-kleen and the garden hose to get it clean. The p/s system is perfect now. drives beautiful. I"ll keep an eye on the condition of the fluid incase it needs flushed again in the near future.
What was the problem with the p/s afterall? -Crud in the bottom of the resevior. Starving the pump. the fluid that did come out was goopy brown and stunk to the high heavens. the bottom of the Resv was FULL of crap. Never seen so much crap in my life. Chunks the size of corn flakes were coming out. Took 1 can of brake-kleen and the garden hose to get it clean. The p/s system is perfect now. drives beautiful. I"ll keep an eye on the condition of the fluid incase it needs flushed again in the near future.
Good man
Learning is much like maintenance: Proactive is better than reactive. You want that rack to outlast the car? Flush the system and start out clean. Run a synthetic. Add a Magnafine filter in the return line. Mine is right under the accordian hose. The system will never get dirty again, ever. if you choose not to use a syn add a small cooler if all you have is that stupid pipe up front on the early models.
Once a year take a turkey baster and suction the tank out or do it at every oil change. This will replensih the additive package in the fluid and lets you eyeball the screen. If you installed the Magnafine the screen will always be clean. Suction the brake and clutch masters too. You'll never have problems again.
If you have an auto tranny flush it, clean the screen, and add a Magnafine in the cooling line or add a spin on filter. Better still is to add a real hydraulic filter, you can get them cheap at places like Northern Tool. The ultimate is a bypass depth filter. A tranny cooler is a big plus too. You wouldn't believe the amount of tranny life cut by every 20 degree increase in tranny fluid temp.
Learning is much like maintenance: Proactive is better than reactive. You want that rack to outlast the car? Flush the system and start out clean. Run a synthetic. Add a Magnafine filter in the return line. Mine is right under the accordian hose. The system will never get dirty again, ever. if you choose not to use a syn add a small cooler if all you have is that stupid pipe up front on the early models.
Once a year take a turkey baster and suction the tank out or do it at every oil change. This will replensih the additive package in the fluid and lets you eyeball the screen. If you installed the Magnafine the screen will always be clean. Suction the brake and clutch masters too. You'll never have problems again.
If you have an auto tranny flush it, clean the screen, and add a Magnafine in the cooling line or add a spin on filter. Better still is to add a real hydraulic filter, you can get them cheap at places like Northern Tool. The ultimate is a bypass depth filter. A tranny cooler is a big plus too. You wouldn't believe the amount of tranny life cut by every 20 degree increase in tranny fluid temp.
Yaaaayyy there's my 1 for this threadSupra5MGTE said:
! (See JJ it works!)
I run a smaller header tank cooler and a filter on my steering.
I spent half a day cleaning crud out of my plastic NA reservoir as a new one was $300+ AUD and the aftermarket ones didn't have the mesh screen!
It works only with guys like Supra5 who're smart enough to have an open mind and check their egos at the door. That's something more vaulable than we could ever teach him
jj- Hey i'm learning man... I listen. I've been wondering about adding a spin-on type filter for the auto trans. Exactly how should I go about it jj?