1987 Nissan Maxima power steering issue

1987 NISSAN MAXIMA
139,000 MILES • 6 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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PORTHOS1
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I have a horrible noise in the power steering area. When vehicle is even at idle in park without any use of steering there is the noise. If I turn the wheel it gets louder. When I drive the car there is maybe 20 percent assisted steering. I replaced the pump thinking that it was my problem. And it isnt. I also wanted to add that when I put in new fluid after installing the pump it took awhile to get it down. Like a plugged up sink. I didnt change the hoses. The belts are brand new. I feel that it might have a restriction.
Dec 17, 2009 at 10:40 PM
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RACEFAN966
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So tell me what did the fluid look like in the old pump? Did it look like it was metal flake? What color was it? How did you burp the system (get the air out of it)?
Dec 19, 2009 at 9:24 AM
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PORTHOS1
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The color was red. I think they might have used ATF fluid. Didn't see any metal flakes. And I never burped the system. Should I put on new hoses and flush first then burp?
Dec 19, 2009 at 12:30 PM
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RACEFAN966
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So how loud is the noise? They do say that remand pumps will make some noise for about 500 miles. If its really loud I would warranty out the pump first and then burp the system before starting it.
Dec 21, 2009 at 12:53 PM
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PORTHOS1
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You can hear the noise in park. And it is the same noise as before I replaced the pump.
Dec 21, 2009 at 1:33 PM
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RACEFAN966
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Ok tell me if you lift the front wheels off the ground and turn the wheel side to side without it running does the fluid transfer at all?
Dec 22, 2009 at 9:55 AM