6 Symptoms of a Failed Power Steering Pump
Turning the steering wheel shouldn’t feel like a workout. If you suddenly have to put in more effort when going through corners or hear an unpleasant noise while steering, your power steering pump may be faulty. Learn the most common symptoms of a bad power steering pump and how much it will cost to replace it.
Symptoms of a Failed Power Steering Pump
Every part in your car has a lifespan, and the power steering pump is no exception. Watch out for these unusual behaviors that may indicate a problem with your steering pump, and have your car inspected by a mechanic if you notice them to prevent irreparable damage to the pump.
1) Power steering fluid level is low and/or leaking
Power steering fluid is a critical part of the pump. Therefore, if the pump does not have enough power steering fluid, it can cause problems. The pump can also become physically damaged due to wear and tear or aging.
The power steering fluid reservoir is located under the hood, depending on the location of the engine, but is often located on the passenger side of the vehicle. Check the fluid level to ensure it is within the correct range. The reservoir should have “Low” and “Full” markings. If a leak is found between the pump and the reservoir, it should be repaired before driving the vehicle further to minimize damage. Power steering fluid is usually red or reddish brown in color. So if you see a puddle of this color under your vehicle, it’s a pretty clear indication that something is wrong with the power steering pump.
2) Gray power steering fluid and/or visible metal shavings
When checking the level in the reservoir, pay attention to the color of the power steering fluid. If it’s gray, it’s an indication that it has oxidized and is no longer functioning properly. Oxidation can occur when too much air gets into the system, as can a bad power steering pump. A defective pump can cause metal shavings (gray or chrome colored) in the power steering fluid. This can be caused by metal-on-metal friction or simply wear and tear of the material.
3) Squeaking when starting
This is a common symptom of a loose PTO belt, but it can also indicate a defective power steering pump. Before replacing the pump, check that the power transmission belt tension is properly adjusted.
4) Howling or groaning when turning
Other abnormal noises can be caused by a faulty power steering pump. Moaning is worse than whining because it usually indicates a lack of proper fluid and can cause damage to other parts of the power steering system. Both abnormal noises can be caused by a bearing moving out of place.
This whining or groaning often increases as the engine speed (RPM) increases and the steering wheel turns. Providing this information to your mechanic will allow them to identify the problem.
Note: Some power steering pumps will make a groaning noise if they are fully engaged for more than a few seconds. This is fairly normal, but if this continues for a while it can be very hard on the power steering pump and should be avoided if possible.
5) Slow steering response
When you turn the steering wheel, the front tires should turn immediately, as expected. If your vehicle’s tires have to “catch up” when you turn the steering wheel, you may have a problem with your power steering pump. This can be dangerous because if the vehicle does not respond as expected to the driver’s input, it can increase reaction time as the driver has to correct their initial input. This can even lead to a collision if the driver tries to swerve to avoid something or someone and the vehicle does not respond as intended.
6) Increased Steering Force
Vehicles with power steering should be relatively easy to turn. If your car seems to be steering abnormally stiff and difficult to turn, you may want to have the power steering pump checked. How a power steering pump works
Power steering fluid is pressurized by the power steering pump and pumped from a reservoir through the pump outlet to the steering gear. When the vehicle is running, the pump is driven by a pulley attached to the vehicle’s power transmission belt.
The fluid exerts pressure on the steering gear, causing the wheels to turn. This pressure increases as engine speed increases. Because you need enough pressure to turn the wheels at idle, the pressure is often higher than necessary at high engine speeds. This excess pressure is released using a pressure relief valve.
A car shouldn’t apply steering assist to the wheels when you’re not turning the steering wheel. So a sensor called a rotary valve determines when the wheel has turned. This is done using a torsion bar, which twists when torque is applied to it.
This ensures that the torque applied to the steering wheel is equal to the torque applied to the wheels. In this way, the driver controls the amount of rotation of the front wheels.
It is unsafe to drive without a functional power steering pump since it affects how driver inputs move the car. In general, the heavier the vehicle, the harder the wheel will be to turn without the assist.
Additionally, manual (non-powered) steering ratios are often slower, which means the driver has more leverage over the front wheels.