Anybody ever have their power steering pump go bad/fail? What are the signs?

[skydragoness]

I'm trying to diagnose my problems. I didn't get any useful replies in the suspension forum, so I'll try here:

Symptoms:

-steering wheel does not return to neutral (center) position if you turn the wheel about 20 degrees or so (if you turn it to almost full lock it does return to center but very slowly). You could actually make a simple left or right turn and it will keep going in that direction unless you move it back to center-reservoir levels normal-no screeching/whining etc-when its cold in the morning and i start it up and maneuver out of my driveway it does make a short whirring/moaning sound when i move the steering wheel around but I'm assuming it's 'fluid noise' from the pump. -car has a perfect alignment-very 'stiff' steering wheel

It seems to me the power steering is very 'weak' so i orderd a p/s pump just in case. I also have new p/s reservoir lines from Nissan i ordered last year but never got around to replacing because the slow, gooey leak i had last year suddenly stopped.

So what do you guys think? P/S pump? Rack? Adjust the rack retainer? Blow the car up? Its annoying this started to occur a couple of weeks before the autocross this weekend. *sigh*

[mr2lickit]

hey welcome to the world of a 240 haha. Yeah it sounds like your ps pump is going. Also make sure you use red power steering fluid (don't ask why cuz I don't know haha). I just know when I did it all the resistance and noise went away. Oh and GL on the autocross!

[skydragoness]

hey welcome to the world of a 240 haha. Yeah it sounds like your ps pump is going. Also make sure you use red power steering fluid (don't ask why cuz I don't know haha). I just know when I did it all the resistance and noise went away. Oh and GL on the autocross!

Thanks for the best wishes but i won't be able to autocross (well it would be dumb to try) because i need to fix this problem.

Your'e right about the red fluid, Nissan recommends Dexron automatic trans fluid for use in the pump.

[skylndrftr]

sounds lke something might be plugged... the whirring noise could be the pump trying to pull fluid. before you spend a hunk of change on a pump i would suggest trying to see if you can find someone to flush the system. Never heard of a PS flush though might wanna see if a trann yflush place will do it. Theres a lot of little valves and orifices to plug up

[skydragoness]

sounds lke something might be plugged... the whirring noise could be the pump trying to pull fluid. before you spend a hunk of change on a pump i would suggest trying to see if you can find someone to flush the system. Never heard of a PS flush though might wanna see if a trann yflush place will do it. Theres a lot of little valves and orifices to plug up

That's what some people, including Exarkun told me i should try. I'm just a little confused about it when Nissan itself doesn't do or recommend power steering flushes as part of any regular maintenance program. I already have the pump sitting here. Its a remanufactured pump w/ a lifetime warranty.

Besides, when something is 'plugged up' that usually results it being a one-sided steering issue while the issue i'm having occurs when i turn the wheel in both directions.

[ROZE]

Did you check to see if any of your lines were pinched?

[ricebike]

sky, sorry for late reply...

here's a simple way to DIY w/ a helper...

click me!

I was about to do that, but my pump died on me w/out warning!... napa's overly expensive lifetime warranty pump saved the day (this was b4 I was on teh internetz)

[skydragoness]

sky, sorry for late reply...

here's a simple way to DIY w/ a helper...

click me!

I was about to do that, but my pump died on me w/out warning!... napa's overly expensive lifetime warranty pump saved the day (this was b4 I was on teh internetz)

I guess I only have a matter of time before my pump goes. So were the symptoms the same? I.E., stiff and reluctant to turn to center?

[itsnever2fast]

the wheels should return to center regardless, my friend is running p/s less b/c he doesn't have the lines yet, his returns to center when released. the rack might be binding or the valves may be failing, or sticking... i dont know how common that is on 240's b/c i am kinda new to them. but you might want to look into that. you may be looking into the wrong component of the system. keep an open mind. get your system flushed with a cleaner, and filled with fresh ATF.

[ricebike]

I think, in your particular case, may be the rack's valving itself... & check outer tie rods for any binding as well...

in my case w/ the pump going... the seal just "popped" & fluid puddle was on the parking lot.

[skydragoness]

Well I'm gonna do a flush and see how it goes from there.

[spocky]

any news? I'm suffering from a similar problem (whirring, wheel not staying on center), so I'm curious how it's coming.

[skydragoness]

any news? I'm suffering from a similar problem (whirring, wheel not staying on center), so I'm curious how it's coming.

Well my wheel stays 'centered' it just won't return to center if i make a right or left turn where i turn the wheel, say 20 degrees or so. I haven't done anything as of yet but I'll post back when i find the problem.

[ricebike]

yup, but don't 4get to check that rack retainer as suggested by U on the original post...

[skylndrftr]

reading this it sonuds more and more like something besides to PS. the self centering is caused by suspension geometry not power steering.

[Goldeneagle]

hey welcome to the world of a 240 haha. Yeah it sounds like your ps pump is going. Also make sure you use red power steering fluid (don't ask why cuz I don't know haha). I just know when I did it all the resistance and noise went away. Oh and GL on the autocross!

The power steering fluid used in the 240sx is the same as Automatic Transmission Fluid(ATF). Nissan used it because it tends to have a higher boiling point and the fact that it is thicker than standard power steering fluid.

Anyway....Dexron 3 ATF is what you should purchase.

[skydragoness]

reading this it sonuds more and more like something besides to PS. the self centering is caused by suspension geometry not power steering.

Thanks for your post. Well being that practically everything up front is new: new kyb strut mounts, agx's, new control arms, tein inner/outer rods, spl t/c rods I can't imagine anything else I should be considering. My S.A.I. is off on the right but barely enough to cause an issue. I can't imagine my 16lb wheels and 225/50 tires being the reason why the steering is so stiff and unresponsive.

Any idea's? I remember on my old 240 whenever something didn't 'feel right' i would take it to NTB to get my wheels balanced and it would be normal again.

[cmkelly]

Mine PS ist starting to make a whinning noise when turning under load but I'm not having any of the steering problems you speak of. How much was the PS pump you bought and from where?thx, cmk

[Veriest1]

I had a huge PS issue last spring on the bimmer. Went throught 2 pumps before I found out my lines were collapsing. Since the same priciples are used in any cars PS system I'll relate what I learned.

Anyway, if there are any filters in the system (two in BMW's sys) then they could be clogged. The BMW canister has one in the bottom of it and the second is slid down into the return line and held in position by hose clamps. Installing one would be a good idea if the car doesn't have one.

Use only factory lines or very high pressure lines on the PS system because low pressure lines will collapse from the pumps suction (this was my problem). I'm unaware of any filters in the Nissan PS system but I wouldn't be surprised if they were there. For the canister filter you'd probably have to buy a new canister. Chances are it isn't replacable otherwise.

Whenever you change out ANY part of the PS system a flush should be done just to make sure nothing was in the new part.

[Red coupe]

reading this it sonuds more and more like something besides to PS. the self centering is caused by suspension geometry not power steering.

deffinatly what I was thinking, The only way I can think for the steering system to be messing up is perhaps the valve in the steering rack that directs the pressure to one side of the rack or the other is bleeding pressure. reguardless though that would only equalize pressure on both sides and that really shouldn't keep it from centering...