Author Topic: Power Steering (Read 10650 times)

Smokey Eddy · « **on:** October 19, 2008, 12:24:13 am »

I did a belt change as my first job as a major n00b and i wacked the power steering pump for what ever reason (dont ask why i thought it had something to do with getting the belts off. I didn't realize how the tensioner worked.

anyways the pwer steerin slowly dissapeared that very day only working at high rpm.
It ceased to work at all so i changed the pump and filled it full of fresh fluid. Still no go....

Im thinking its something to do with the valves in the actual uhhh .... i dont know the names but the part of the steering where 1 side will get filled to turn right and the opposite side gets filled to turn left.

like it isn't flowing from 1 side to the other. its fairly difficult to steer and if it has less fluid its easier to steer. I topped it up when i changed the pump though and haven't bothered to change it.

I realize that this is probably damaging (driving with fluid when it doesnt work) but if there is a common problem and easy fix to this issue that others have experienced all and any input is appreciated.
the whole steering aparatus is FILTHYY

burn_your_money · « **Reply #1 on:** October 19, 2008, 09:06:50 am »

The valves are in the steering rack, not the pump.
Have you confirmed that the PS pump is turning? And the proper direction? I don't even know if you can hook it up backwards though.

Does it work if you leave the cap off the resevoir?

Is the belt tight enough?

Op-Ivy · « **Reply #2 on:** October 19, 2008, 11:46:45 am »

You do have to give the power steering pump a wack, but after you loosen the adjusting bolts on it.

But I agree with Tyler, check the tension on the belt. It should be spinning at idle.

Smokey Eddy · « **Reply #3 on:** October 19, 2008, 12:39:23 pm »

Quote

The valves are in the steering rack, not the pump.
Have you confirmed that the PS pump is turning? And the proper direction? I don't even know if you can hook it up backwards though.

Does it work if you leave the cap off the resevoir?

Is the belt tight enough?

I know they're in the rack.
Yes its turning, you can't put it on backwards?
It doesn't work ever, at all, no matter what i do.
It's a replacement pump I'm using.

jtanguay · « **Reply #4 on:** October 19, 2008, 12:53:20 pm »

did you just install the replacement one? maybe its defective...

Smokey Eddy · « **Reply #5 on:** October 19, 2008, 12:54:45 pm »

Yeah it very well could be. I got it from the junk yard. It was still full of atf, gear oil, pwr steer oil what ever you wanna call it.
Should i take my old one apart, i still have it..

burn_your_money · « **Reply #6 on:** October 19, 2008, 01:38:45 pm »

If the old one isn't working then take it apart. I don't think there is anything fancy or complex in there.

Do you have power assist with both front wheels up in the air?

Smokey Eddy · « **Reply #7 on:** October 19, 2008, 01:39:51 pm »

Uhhh?
I never .... tried....
You mean to run the car on jack stands and see if there is power steering with the wheels off the ground?
How would i tell anyways. they're so easy to turn with no weight on them

burn_your_money · « **Reply #8 on:** October 19, 2008, 01:50:50 pm »

Yeah exactly. I don't know how you would tell, I've never tried. A friend suggested it to me when I was having PS problems. I never got to try it though because I found a loose belt was my problem.

Maybe if you can find a helper, get them to turn the wheels while you are looking at the PS pump pulley. See if it slows down any. The car will need to be running and on the ground.

When the car is running, is the fluid in the resevoir moving? The power steering is an open loop system so the fluid should be moving whether or not it is required

Smokey Eddy · « **Reply #9 on:** October 19, 2008, 01:53:14 pm »

I looked for that and it looks like there is no flow so it's gotta be the pump/belt.
the belt is super tight. Possibly too tight and wrecked it?

burn_your_money · « **Reply #10 on:** October 19, 2008, 01:55:42 pm »

It should leak before it craps out due to a tight belt. You just kill the bearing/bushing. Usually...

You might have a clogged line. I don't know if air locks are possible on these pumps, but take the return line off and let some fluid drain out of the pump and then hook it back up and try again

Smokey Eddy · « **Reply #11 on:** October 19, 2008, 01:57:44 pm »

well i drained it when i changed pumps obviously.

AWWW crap
:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:
I think the belt is way way way way too tight and i broke my water pump at the same time...
:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh no!
I'm so ruined....
sighhhhhh

you guys may not hear from me in a while. im gonna go cry in a corner.

Smokey Eddy · « **Reply #12 on:** October 19, 2008, 02:01:13 pm »

AWwww frick
I just bought an aaz head and i have 185$ left and an uninsured jetta. I hope i get hired at one of the 5 places i applied and i don't fubar my self doing this head job... guess i need a water pump now
I noticed odd leaking yesterday when i drove it into the garage on the pulley side

anyone know what/where i should pay/buy one? =(
or if i can replace parts in it to work again? I'll check the impeller if that's an option and see if it's still good...
augh this explains my hissing expansion tank... i probably didn't even need a new head.
Im such a moron...

danwithagolf · « **Reply #13 on:** October 20, 2008, 12:25:37 am »

hey i see you live in abbotsford i live in chilliwack i would go to lordco they have rebuilt pumps for cheap or maybe pick a part in chilliwack and see what they have

Smokey Eddy · « **Reply #14 on:** October 21, 2008, 12:20:24 am »

yeh, hehe i got a lot of crap from pick a part
pwr steer pump
big "euro"bumpers
lock nobbies
one of thsoe caps that go over the seat belt (near the roof)
shift linkage
the list goes on.
I'm maintained pretty even by returning parts of equal value so i'm not doing too bad.
the bumpers were a straight trade.