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power steering noise

28K views 14 replies 8 participants last post by  dreamforme 
#1 ·
i just have a quick question,

if a car is low on power steering fluid, will it make a humming noise as you turn at medium speed?

cuz, that's what's happing to me, and i really don't want to replace a steering fluid pump. :(

also, when is it safe to check power steering fluid?

thanks for the help.
 
#3 ·
You can also check it when the vehicle is running, its not a pressurized system.

When you add fluid to it, keep the cap off (with the car running) and turn the wheel lock to lock. The level may go down a little bit as the fluid fills the system, depending on how low it is. Then top it off to the full mark and you are good to go!
 
#8 ·
You can also check it when the vehicle is running, its not a pressurized system
i gotta disagree on this. power steering is a highly pressurized system. a power steering pump can reach over 1,000 psi. the car should NOT be running to avoid eye injury. the dipstick will have a cold and hot measurement on it. just fill it accordingly. the buzzing sound might be the air in the system, itll need bled if u replace a hose or pump. u can do this by turning the wheel left and right, then checking the reservoir.
 
#7 ·
just to be safe, jack up your car, look under it and see if you see any fluid on the bottom of your car. if you see wet parts, you have a leak and will need to replace the hoses. just letting you know so you dont dump tons of money into gallons of ps fluid :p
 
#9 ·
if it wasnt pressurized you wouldnt have to buy special hoses... so i agree with turbojettaboy. i would check while engine is off. if its leaking check around the inner tie rod boots also. thats where mine was leaking from and i had to replace the rack. for about 3 hours i couldnt figure out where all the fluid was going until i jacked it up. noticed a few drops on the dust covers... pulled one off and had a mini waterfall in the garage haha
 
#10 ·
Let me rephrase it...

The power steering system becomes pressurized AFTER the resevoir. The pump sucks the fluid out and the pushes it. If it were the other way around, there would be a pressurized line on top of the resevoir pushing the fluid downwards The reason for the special lines going to your steering rack is becaus the pressure can exceed 1000psi easily and power steering fluid is corrosive. BUT, although not recommended by dealers, it is safe to take the cap off with the car running and add fluid. Adding fluid when the car is off does not promise that it has reached the entire system. The resevoir may look full, but the fluid is simply "hung up" because the pump is not running.

The system works the same way as brakes. Its pressurized after the resevoir. When you bleed brakes, you take the cap off and leave it off while you bleed all 4 calipers and depress the pedal. Its sort of the same concept, just with a mechanical pump that is sucking the fluid out.

I do this literally every day at work, and we are a certified shop.

1. Start the car
2. Take off the cap slowly (use the six-finger method you would use to take off a radiator cap)
3. Add fluid to the full mark
4. Replace cap loosely, do not tighten or thread it down all the way
5. Turn wheel lock to lock
6. Add more fluid if necessary
7. Tighten cap
8. Enjoy your full resevoir and no more power steering squeel.


But, you can do it whichever way makes you feel more comfortable.
 
#11 ·
wow, didn't mean to start a fight :D . I was just wondering because i used to work around hydrolics on farm implements, and i wouldn't want to touch those hoses or resevoirs while they're running.

I'll have to do that this weekend.

is there a specific oil i need, like a certain weight, or is it all the same?
 
#13 ·
hey lowered, i wasnt out to make u look wrong. the problem is, yea i know u can get away with filling it (ive do it personally among other things and i always say "dont try this at home" btw :D) that way. but im only supposed to suggest a "safer" way i guess lol. i dont want someone getting injured because of what i say. not sure if u know what i mean lol.
 
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