Nowadays, most vehicles have power steering that allows you to turn the steering wheel smoothly without having to apply too much force or pressure to it.
Power steering works thanks to a pump that allows the power steering fluid to flow into the steering pinion.
This equipment is responsible for applying the appropriate pressure so that the steering wheel can turn easily for the driver. Without this power steering pump, power steering would not be possible.
The 5 Main Symptoms of a Power Steering Pump
Power steering pumps will last for a while, but they generally don’t last for the entire life of the vehicle itself. Eventually, your vehicle’s power steering pump will go bad and stop doing the job it’s supposed to do.
There are many signs you might notice when this starts to happen. Here are five of the most common symptoms to watch out for when the power steering pump goes bad.
1) Difficulty Turning the Wheel
The most common symptom you’ll experience is when you have difficulty turning the steering wheel. When you go to make a turn, the steering wheel will be very stiff, and you’ll need to use a lot of strength and force just to perform a basic turn.
This should prompt you to check the power steering pump because it could mean it needs to be replaced.
2) Whining Noise
When you try to turn your steering wheel, you might hear a whining noise. This indicates that a problem exists within your power steering system.
The whining noise could be due to many reasons, including a leaking power steering pump. Either that, or the power steering fluid might be too low. But you’ll want to check both just in case.
3) Squealing Noise
A squealing noise may be heard when you first start your vehicle’s engine. This noise will remain constant for about a minute after starting the car.
The reason is likely due to a bad power steering pump causing the belt inside the system to slip. This means you need to replace the pump and realign your belt.
4) Groaning Noise
This is the worst noise of all. If you’ve neglected to repair or replace your already malfunctioning power steering pump, it will eventually start groaning.
This usually happens if there’s a leak or insufficient fluid flowing through the pump, which will eventually ruin the entire power steering system.
Not only will you need to replace the pump at this point, but you might also need to replace the entire system.
5) Chrome Flakes in the Fluid
Checking the power steering fluid can tell you a lot about the condition of the power steering pump. Besides making sure there’s an adequate amount of power steering fluid in the system, you’ll also need to check to see the color and condition of the fluid.
If you see dark gray colors or chrome flakes in the fluid, it means your pump may be damaged.