My PS pump is wailing like a banshee. The belt is tight and new. The noise increases with engine RPM and sounds terrible when you turn the wheel and the power assist kicks in, But it works! Is this the bearing going bad? If so, does it make sense to rebuild the thing, or just get a new pump?
I suppose it is full of fluid and no leaks. If so then the pump is probably shot but you can try some additive. If it works then you save some money and if it doesn't it doesn't cost too much.
Could try an change the fluid,,, I would do that anyhow before putting on new pump. Good to start out with fresh fluid in system if you have to exchange pumps
THere is minor seepage around the control valve connection hoses. I think to eliminate this I will have to replace seals in the control valve and P/S piston as well. Should I do this first? I don't want to ruin a brand new pump!
If the system has any air trapped in it it can make for a noisy pump as well. Jack up the car and support it with jack stands. Make sre the reservoir is full and turn the steering wheel lock to lock several times to bleed any air trapped in the system. Once you have done this you can take the car off of the jack stands and with the wheels back on the ground turn on the engine and bleed the system again. I prefer to do the "engine on" bleed with the car still in the air, but when I was working with ARI/Atsco on the tech lines we were told to advise against running the engine with the car up on jack stands. If you do end up changing the pump you will need to bleed the system anyway.
