Power Steering Pump - about to fail?

[alexb]

Hi All,

Ok, today I had a short drive into the city, and when I started the car to drive home, I immediately felt there was something different about the steering - it
felt heavier maneuvering the car in the multistory car park and on the drive home especially round roundabouts.

I thought the PAS had packed in, but I checked the belt, fluid level (both fine) and there are no leaks i can see. The pump seems to be working as with the engine running I can see movement of the PAS fluid in the reservoir...

So - can the pump start to loose effectiveness before it fails? Would this cause the steering to feel gradually heavier until it failed completely?

Any other ideas?

Cheers,
Alex

[blinx9900]

the pump will start to make noise that sounds like a small bear growling before it goes out, only then will the steering feel heavy and chattery. i think you may have an alignment issue.

[type-r-dunk]

????? poss flat tyre ????
Dunx

[EK9turbo]

Just to make you aware, When you strip the steering pump down, most of the 1990> honda pumps have a relieve valve in them, what is basically a ball-bearing and spring behind it. This is so the steering pump doesnt pump rediculous pressures at high revs causing the steering to go too light. Hence the relief valve starts to open so the steering feel stay pretty consistant.

Ive seen these stick open before where the spring has worn. If may be worth inspecting it.
It it is making a growling/squealing noise then it cold be the bearings wearing. but that wouldnt have a noticable effect on the steering feel

[blinx9900]

i still think its something suspension related, check all your balljoints/bushings up front. the UCA ball joint usually goes out i've noticed... also poor toe in/out settings give heavy steering feel.

[alexb]

Ok thanks for the input guys. I checked the tyre pressures when I got home and they were fine, and there's no bear-like noises so maybe the pump is ok!

Could a bushing or balljoint fail quickly like that? It was totally fine on the drive in, and I didn't hit any kerbs or anything to put the alignment out...

Cheers,
Alex