power steering problems?

It sounds like the rack and pinion is bad. Have you checked it for leaks? Check to see if there is PS fluid leaking where the inner tire rods are covered by a rubber boot. Many times the seal goes bad, causes a stiff steering, and when you loosen the boot, it is full of PS fluid.

Let me know what you find. Also, make sure the belt is tight on the PS pump.

I had a lot of power steering pump noise, especially when cold. It never goes away when hot. Replaced power steering pump and it was quiet for a week now same as before replacement. It sounds like when you turn the wheel all the way to one side and pressure goes to max. Is there anything in the steering that regulates the pressure?

There is a pressure relief valve but that should be in the pump so it should be new, too.
You may have a clog in one of the lines. I would disconnect each line at both ends and blow some air threw the lines using an air compressor and a rubber tipped blow gun. Try around 90 psi.

My power steering pump started making a lot of noise which was becoming worse. I replaced the power steering pump and it
was quiet for seven days and then began to get a little noisy after that and after three weeks was just as noisy as the old PS pump.
It sounds like when the pressure is at max as if you turned the steering all the way to either side. It is worse when cold but never goes away. Is there any type of pressure regulator or valve that could be stuck?

Good morning.

Did you flush the system completely before replacing the pump?

I would start by flushing the power steering system to get rid of all dirt.

Also, the fill tank. I would remove it and clean it all out of old fluid and debris. Then install and add fluid and re bleed the system.

Roy

3.3L/3.8L
1. Remove cap from power steering fluid reservoir.
2. Using a siphon pump, remove as much power steering fluid as possible from power steering fluid reservoir.
3. Open retainer on side of reservoir and remove cables from retainer.
4. Remove clamp attaching supply hose to power steering fluid reservoir. Disconnect hose from reservoir (Figure 1).
5. Remove clamp attaching return hose to power steering fluid reservoir. Disconnect hose from reservoir (Figure 1).
6. Remove bolts and nut securing reservoir in place (Figure 1).
7. Remove reservoir.

I had the alternator fail on the car, so I changed it. When I put the new alternator in I noticed the pully was longer with a bigger counter balance on the end. But the belt still lined up when I installed it. Now when the car is running, and the ac turns on or the power steering pump has to work I get a growling noise in that area

Do you mean the pulley is larger in diameter?

The pully doesn't appear to be. The pully lines up with the belt, but it has an extra weight or counter balance on the end of it that sticks out a 1/2 inch farther on the end of the pully

My dodge caravan is making a winding noise upon start up and on acceleration and deacceleration. We have had mechanics diagnose the sound and have told us it is the powering steering pump or it could be the resevoir.
problem is , we have already replaced it.
there are no check engine lights on, but we have also been told it could be the tensior pulley.
I need some help with this....

Remove the serp belt and spin the pulleys. If it's the tensioner, you should hear something, and make sure there is no play in the bearing. As far as the pump, it could be the noise, but is will worsen when you turn the steering when stopped. Is there a noticeable difference when turning the wheel?

Joe

My power steering pump makes a terrible noise at start up then slowly goes away after warming up. Is there any thing I can try before replacing pump?

I never heard of any additive that can quiet a noisy steering pump down, just check its fluid. It may be low, I've heard of changing it, but never saw it quiet a loud steering pump gear or front bearing.

I would try to flush the pump first here is a video to show you how on a similar car with the instructions in the diagram below to show you how on your car.


https://youtu.be/n665wQQq8tI

and

https://youtu.be/MtHG4y_rdMI

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what happens.

Hi,

Common issue with these vans is the filter in the power steering resvoir gets clogged and prevents normal fluis flow in the system.

You can replace the resevoir to remedy this, or what I did as my van has some 92,000 miles was to gently put a long thin phillips screwdriver down the throat of the resevoir at 90 degree intervals and gently dislodged the filter to allow for normal fluid flow.

You may also need to add fluid to the proper level.

For me, this corrected the problem immediately, and that was about 3 months ago now....

Dave

I had this problem got a new pump for 132.00 all fixed! great site BTW

Mine is a Grand Caravan 3.3L similar to 3.8L (has an automatic tensioer for belt) The powersteering pump is connected to non detachable braket ( the earlier models have a separate braket to hold the pump).
How do u remove the pump? As far I could find out it is only attached with 3 bolts. do you access the bolts through the disc?
Any pictures as well?
What is the size of the bolts?

Yes you go from the front and through the pulley
just line up the hole in the pulley with the mounting bolt
its 13 mm bolt head in some rear case they used 10mm
good luck

My mechanic told me I needed a PSP. It does not leak, but, it whines almost constantly. He told me he could drain the fluid and seal it. This might stop the whining. If it does not leak, why would he seal it? Would you seal it first?

just because it's not leaking visually doesn't mean it is not leaking internally of the pump. honestly i would just have pump replaced.. may try searching local salvage yards and web sites such as ebay.com for a used steering pump to save some $$$

Hi!
Steering pump was changed on my 3.3: V6 (similar to 3.8L) due to squeeking noice.
The squeeking noicse continous when turning the steeringwheel. The container is filled to the maximum when engine is off.
Why is there still a squeeking noice?????? Does it still contain air in the system.? If so how EXACTLY do you air it? The description of airing is basically. Lid on. Keep the wheels straight for a while and then turn them left and right without hitting the end of turn. What to do?

Does it still contain air in the system.? If so how EXACTLY do you air it?

BLEEDING THE SYSTEM TO REMOVE AIR

After filling the system, you will have to bleed the system to remove trapped air. This is done by raising the front wheels off the ground, then slowly turning the steering wheel from side to side six to 10 times with the engine off. Do not turn the wheel too rapidly or allow the pump reservoir to run dry. Continue cycling the steering back and forth until no more bubbles can be seen in the fluid reservoir, and the reservoir level remains steady.

Next, disable he ignition and crank the engine over several times while observing the fluid in the pump reservoir. If you see any bubbles or foaming, continue cycling the steering wheel back and forth (engine off) until all of the air is out of the system. Make sure the fluid reservoir is full when you have finished.

On some systems, the use of a power steering pump air evacuator (Devac tool) is required to purge the air from the system.

Other probable area could be a rack and pinion

What is the pinion and rack?

A rack-and-pinion gearset is enclosed in a metal tube, with each end of the rack protruding from the tube. A rod, called a tie rod, connects to each end of the rack. The pinion gear is attached to the steering shaft. When you turn the steering wheel, the gear spins, moving the rack. The tie rod at each end of the rack connects to the steering arm on the spindle The pinion gear is attached to the steering shaft. When you turn the steering wheel, the gear spins, moving the rack. The tie rod at each end of the rack connects to the steering arm on the spindle The rack-and-pinion gearset does two things: It converts the rotational motion of the steering wheel into the linear motion needed to turn the wheels. It provides a gear reduction, making it easier to turn the wheels. On most cars, it takes three to four complete revolutions of the steering wheel to make the wheels turn from lock to lock (from far left to far right).

How to put power steering pump on

REMOVAL  PUMP (3.3L/3.8L ENGINE)

1. Remove the ( ) negative battery cable from the battery and isolate cable.
2. Remove the wiper module (unit) (Refer to WIPER MODULE ).
3. Raise the vehicle.
4. Remove the drive belt splash shield.
5. Remove the pressure hose routing bracket bolt (Fig. 9 ).

Fig. 9: Locating Pressure Hose Routing Clamps
Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

6. Lower the vehicle.
7. Remove cap from power steering fluid reservoir.
8. Using a siphon pump, remove as much power steering fluid as possible from the power steering fluid reservoir.
9. Disconnect the pressure hose from the pump (Fig. 10 ).

Fig. 10: Locating Supply And Pressure Hoses At Pump
Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

10. Disconnect the fluid supply hose from the pump (Fig. 10 ).
11. Remove the three front mounting bolts through the pulley (Fig. 11 )

Fig. 11: Locating Pump Mounting
Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

12. Remove the pump (with pulley) through the engine compartment rocking it over the aluminum bracket.

Two or three years ago I took my 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan to the dealer for a power steering recall. They supposedly replaced one of the hoses. About a year later The power steering pump started making a howling noise when I turned the steering wheel. I took it to a local mechanic who replaced the power steering pump for about $700.00. A few months later it started making the same noise. I took it back and they told me they replaced the water pump, (for $400.00 or so) which they said was bolted to the power steering pump and that's where the noise was coming from. The noise went away for awhile, then returned with a vengence, along with shuddering when I turned the steering wheel. I took the van to a different mechanic who replaced the power steering pump and the original hose which had NOT been changed. Another $700.00-$800.00. The noise again went away for a few months, but now is back again along with some shuddering when I turn the steering wheel. I'm thoroughly disgusted with the dealer and with both mechanics.
Ideas, other than dump the car?

Open hook and check power steering fluid and if low
you have a misdiagnosed leak
causing the P/S to fail

Hi,

This is actually a somewhat common problem for many folks including myself.

After researching this and having had the pump and rack/pinion replaced, it kept coming back. Thankfully it was repaired under my extended warranty.

The actual problem is caused by the small filter screen in the power steering resevoir getting clogged over time.

You can have the resevoir replaced to remedy the problem, or what I did was to insert a thin but long phillips screwdriver down the throat of the resevoir and gently push the filter screen to slightly dislodge it at 90 degree positions around the throat of the resevoir.

Once the fluid is flowing freely again, you may need to add power steering fluid to top off the resevoir. On mine, the disloding of the filter corrected the problem immediately....Noises gone POOF !

The filter screen clogging seems to be one of the best hid secrets about the Caravan family for 2001-2006 range.

How do I change the power steering pump on my 2003 Dodge Caravan?

Hello and thanks for donating The proper replacement steps for your vehicle's power steering pump are below. If you need further assistance just let me know..

yea i have a car the mechanic wants me to pay him 9.50 dollars to replace can it be done on my own or is it that big of a job? its the steering pump

I do not know your skill level so I can't answer if you can perform the repairs. However, I will list the replacement procedures and let you be the judge of that.


REMOVAL:
Remove and isolate the negative battery cable.
Raise and safely support the vehicle. Place a drain pan under the power steering pump.
Disconnect the wiring harness connector to the oxygen sensor which is accessible through the oxygen sensor wiring harness grommet in the vehicle floor pan.
Remove the catalytic converter from the exhaust manifold and remove all exhaust system hangers and isolators from the exhaust system brackets. Move exhaust system out of the way as far rearward and to the left as possible to provide access to the power steering pump.
Remove the power steering fluid return line hose on the front suspension cradle. Allow the fluid to drain from the pump and hose.
Remove the accessory drive belt splash shield.
Remove accessory drive belt.
Disconnect the power steering remote reservoir supply hose from the fitting on the power steering pump. Allow fluid to drain from the hose.
Remove power steering fluid pressure line from the power steering pump and drain any excess power steering fluid.
Remove the power steering fluid return hose from the power steering pump.
Remove the rear support bracket mounted behind the power steering pump to the engine block.
Remove the 3 mounting bolts that secure the pump to the alternator/power steering pump and belt tensioner mounting bracket.
Remove the power steering pump and pulley assembly from the vehicle. Transfer all required parts from the pump to the new replacement pump before installation.




INSTALLATION:
Position the front of the power steering pump up onto the mounting bracket. Torque the 3 power steering pump-to-mounting bracket bolts to 40 ft. lbs. (54 Nm).
Install the rear power steering pump-to-engine block support bracket. Torque the support bracket mounting bolts to 40 ft. lbs. (54 Nm). Install the nut to the mounting stud behind the pump and torque to 40 ft. lbs. (54 Nm).
Install the high pressure fluid line to the pump output fitting. Torque the high pressure line-to-power steering pump fitting to 275 inch lbs. (31 Nm). Be sure to inspect the pressure line O-ring for any damage before connecting the pressure line to the steering pump.
Install the low pressure power steering fluid hose to the power steering pump low pressure fitting. Be sure the hose clamps are properly reinstalled and hoses are clear of the accessory drive belts.
Install the accessory drive belt.
Install the hose on the power steering fluid return line on the front suspension cradle. Be sure the hose clamps and heat shield tubes are correctly reinstalled.
Reconnect the exhaust pipe to the exhaust manifold. Install the hangers and isolators onto the exhaust system brackets. Torque the nuts and bolts to 250 inch lbs. (28 Nm).
Reconnect the wiring harness connectors to the oxygen sensor. Install the wiring harness grommet into the vehicle floor pan.
Install the accessory drive belt splash shield.
Remove the drain pan and lower the vehicle.
Refill the power steering pump reservoir with the correct amount of clean power steering fluid.
Reconnect the negative battery cable. Bleed the power steering system.
Run the engine and check the system for leaks and proper steering operation.




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