Power steering whine

[06goat75]

More of just a vent than anything.  Car has had a noisy power steering pump since I got it.  No problem, kinda normal for these things.  Finally got around to replacing it, AC Delco reman unit.  Now it's louder than it was before!  Did a bleed procedure, but gonna do it again tomorrow when I have time to tinker with it.  

Hopefully it just still has air in the system.

[Psych0matt]

As many of these cars as I’ve had, I think every single one had a noisy ps pump, so much that I rarely notice any more. However, I’ve never had one that had any issues outside of the noise.

[Psych0matt]

Double post

[55trucker]

What did you pour in for p/s fluid?

[06goat75]

1 hour ago, 55trucker said:

What did you pour in for p/s fluid?

Prestone

[55trucker]

LOL.......so there wasn't any residual trans fluid at all?

[ron350]

06goat75

 If you ever find out what makes PS pumps in mid 90’s GM cars whine please let us know.

My factory PS pump whined so the dealership replaced 2 alternators just so they would not have to replace the PS pump. After the car was out of warranty I replaced the PS pump with a reman but it was louder. I finally came across a 97 LTZ in the salvage yard and grabbed that PS pump and most of my whine went away.

The LTZ pump must have a lower pressure valve because the steering is less sensitive going down the road but feels weaker in a parking lot.

Things that I have read about that can causes GM PS pump whine.

Rack problems.

Bad power steering pump reservoir cap.

Air getting in to the system on the suction side.

Fluid leak any where in the system.

Wrong PS fluid.

 

 

 

Edited March 2, 2020 by ron350

[06goat75]

15 hours ago, 55trucker said:

LOL.......so there wasn't any residual trans fluid at all?

Trans fluid?  Is that what it had in it from the factory?

[55trucker]

No.....but seeing as you're not the original purchaser of the vehicle....you don't really know for sure what may have been poured into it.

[06goat75]

48 minutes ago, 55trucker said:

No.....but seeing as you're not the original purchaser of the vehicle....you don't really know for sure what may have been poured into it.

Ahh, gotcha.  

 

It wouldn't surprise me one bit!

 

After bleeding it, again, yesterday (still a few small bubbles), and driving it around today (got some new shoes for it!), I think I'm just gonna put the "old" pump back on, it was a bit quieter.

Who knows, the "new" pump was a reman AC Delco unit from RA wholesale closeouts, so it might have been sitting in the warehouse for a decade, and the seals might be shot.  

 

Heck, there's a '94 Grand Prix GT in the local LKQ, maybe I'll stop by tomorrow and pull that one, see if it is any quieter.  Good thing the pumps are easy and quick to swap out, just the bleeding procedure is a pain.

Edited March 2, 2020 by 06goat75

[55trucker]

Well, it won't be the seals that are causing the whine, it could be the vanes as they spin inside the pump ring, or possibly the control valve is fluttering against the flow control spring.

[06goat75]

Put the original pump back in and it is quite a bit quieter now, even more so than before.  Of course, a 30 minute job turned into a multi hour endeavor, with dropped tools, spilled power steering fluid all over, and a lost o-ring.  I'll return this AC Delco one, drive it for a bit, and see what happens.

[MemphisMan]

I'm definitely marking this thread. I'm going to be tackling a noisy PS pump in the near future on my '91 CS sedan.  

[rich_e777]

Ive had some luck with the Lucas P/S fluid and conditioner. But whatever you add to the reservoir is only going to mix with the old fluid in the lines and R&P, perhaps a complete bleed and fluid replacement might help? I have this planned as I put the Vert back together and going to use nothing but the Lucas stuff. If it still whines after that well the pillar mounted door handles, leaky oil pump shafts and LIM gaskets are notoriously W-Body, so to shall be the b!@#$ing of the P/S pump.

 

Edited March 7, 2020 by rich_e777

[Schurkey]

The noisy PS on my Trailblazer was instantly cured when I removed the original PS fluid, and installed GM "Cold Climate" PS fluid.

https://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-10-5044-Climate-Power-Steering/dp/B007Q10PTW/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3OA5JDE3131IX&dchild=1&keywords=cold+climate+power+steering+fluid&qid=1584159184&sprefix=Cold+climate%2Caps%2C239&sr=8-2

[digitaloutsider]

Interesting! Every 3800 pump I've ever had, including the one on my Regal now, whines.  I'll have to try that stuff. 

[crazyd]

I tried a full flush with the cold-climate ACDelco fluid after a pump replacement last month.  No difference.  

[Go4DaMo]

Thanks for all the input.  I started driving mine again after a couple years of storage.  Power steering pump sounds cranky, but isn't losing fluid.  I'll chalk it up to ambient LQ1 sounds!

[crazyd]

Yeah I've been through three pumps and have never been able to get rid of the pump noise.  I do the bleed thing and it either gets worse or stays the same. It's like owning a Ford.

[Schurkey]

Sure it's the power steering?

Might be worth pulling the serpentine belt and verifying the alternator, A/C, and water pump bearings aren't rough when the pulleys are spun.

[crazyd]

So I know it has been a while, but in case this is still a problem for anyone and for future reference, I found that I have been doing the bleeding procedure incorrectly - and most of the YouTube instructional videos are too.  I found the proper procedure in the FSM and I'm posting it here.

BLEEDING THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM

After replacing the fluid or servicing the power steering hydraulic system, you must bleed air from the system. Air in the system prevents an accurate fluid level reading, causes pump cavitation noise and over time could damage the pump. To bleed the power steering system, proceed as follows:

1. Begin with the engine off, front wheels off the ground. and wheels turned all the way to the left.

2. Add either standard power steering fluid or optional cold climate fluid, to the "FULL COLD" mark on the fluid level indicator. Refer to MAINTENANCE AND LUBRICATION (SECTION OB) for information on power steering fluids.

3. Bleed the system by turning the wheels side to side without hitting the stops. 

! Important
This may require turning the wheels from side to side several times. Keep the fluid level at the "FULL COLD" mark. Fluid with air in it has a light tan appearance.  This air must be eliminated from the fluid before normal steering action can be obtained.

Start the engine. With the engine idling, recheck the fluid level. If necessary, add fluid to bring the level to the "FULL COLD" mark.

5. Return the wheels to the center position. Lower front wheels to the ground. Continue running the engine for two or three minutes.

6. Test the vehicle to be sure the steering functions normally and is free from noise.

! Important
Inspect for fluid leakage at connection points along the power steering system.

7. Recheck the fluid level as described in Steps 3 and 4 except that the fluid level should now be up to the "FULL HOT" mark after the system has stabilized at its normal operating temperature.
 

[Schurkey]

My '03 Trailblazer needed the GM/ACDelco "Cold Climate" PS fluid.  Whined like a 2-year-old with regular PS fluid.

I don't know of any other vehicles that have needed the Cold Climate fluid...but it's available if that's what it takes.