Hello all. I recently got back from this summer's second track day (btw, it was friken great!). Anyway, a couple days later, I start my car and I hear this somewhat high pitched whining coming from the engine. I pop the hood, and look around, and everything looks fine (i.e. no leaks, etc.). The noise seems to be coming from the power steering pump. I checked the fluid, and it was at the right level.

The sound seems to match the description other folks have described when the power steering pump goes. So my questions are:
1) Does this sound like the pump is the problem? What should I do to check it and make sure?
2) How hard is it to replace? I mean, it's just taking the belt off, and bolting a new one on, right?
3) If I do get a new one, and suggestions a a better place to get an after-market one since I'm going to be (hopefully) doing this a lot more!

Well, thanks in advance for any/all help!

 

http://ken.lowrance.com/projects/Pow...eeringPump.htm


From: http://starrworld.com/CamaroSS/Car%20Tech/


May be some good stuff here - I'm gonna bookmark it for future perusing.


Good Luck !


Britt

 

Cool. It looks easy enough. Just take everything off and put the new stuff back on. So would you just go for another OEM one, or are there better ones out there? I'm not crazy about this happening after every couple of track days. Thanks!

 

Of all the problems I have heard of w/ these cars, the steering pump has not been one of them.

I believe it was a fluke - I'd go w/ O.E.M. equipment.

My experience is that in the vast majority of cases, O.E.M. parts are superior to aftermarket.

BUT ! -

if GM wants $ 400.00 , and Auto Zone wants $ 150.00 - I'd probably go w/ the Zone !!

Good Luck !


Britt

*EDIT*

I might also add that are you sure it's not an alternator, which is right below the P.S. pump ?

Are you having weird noises only when you turn your wheels, or all the time ? Is there any noticeable increase in effort lately to turn the wheels ?

Just make sure before you buy.

 

That's actually one of my questions. Haven't noticed any difference in steering. The noise only happens at idle and goes away after I hit the gas. I'm going to wait until it happens again and see if I can't pin point it a little better.

Does this sound like it could be the alternator? Thanks.

 

How intermittent is the noise Does it disappear aftet 30 seconds or so, or when the engine warms up? Is it more common on humid days? It could be the idler pulley below the pump and next to the alternator. Easy fix.

If it's the pump, you'll need to bleed the system. A hand held vacuum pump with guage and an adapter is all you need. I've never heard of the pump going bad from fun at the track. If you like twisty tracks, look into a power steering cooler. It'll prolong the life of your pump.

By the way, how did you do at the track? I can't get enough of of the quarter mile strip near my house.

 

take the belt off and pull up and down on the alternator pulley.See if their is play.Sounds like the bearings are going out.

 

I have a 2000 SS with around 21000 mile and have the same problem. When I go out to start my car in the morning I will sometimes get a whine that I havent been able to locate nither. It happens as soon as I start it up and it lasts from 10 to 30 sec. I popped the cap on the power steering pump a couple of days ago and noticed it was a little low. Also noticed it was a little pressurized which seems to be normal for a pump like this. If anyone knows what this is or if you fix the problem please let me know the fix.

 

Well, it's happened twice in about 10 days. It stops after about 10 seconds or as soon as I hit the gas a bit. Any good ideas on how to figure out if it's the pump or the pulley, do you just replace the pulley if that's the problem> I suposse I'll just take it apart and have a look around (I'll check the the play in everything like ramairta94 suggested). How hard could it be?
A power steering cooler and new brakes are DEFINATLEY my next purchase. Do you know of a good place to buy a cooler? Can't find one on ls1speed or tbyrne.

Anyway, the track day wasn't at a drag strip(that's my next playtime!) It was at New Hampshire International Speedway. This organization (SCDA) basically gets the track all day and you can have an instructor with you teaching you driving techniques, etc. It's friken great!!!! 110+ MPH on the straight, into a 90 degree left hander! GOD I LOVE THESE CARS!!!

 

Removing the belt and giving the pulleys a look is a good idea. Check for rubbing, seizure, mis-alignment, etc... If you here the noise, spray a small amount of lube, WD-40 or similar, on the idler pulley. If the noise stops, there you go. Don't spray too much, it might do more harm. WD-40 is not a fix. You should still replace the pulley. Definitly inspect everything like ramairta94 said to be sure.

If there is a horizontal tube in front of the power steering pump just behind the radiator, you already have the power steering cooler. It's a factory option. The steering hoses will lead to it. Good luck.

 

mine seems to be crapping out...

at idle its fine... when going slow, the noise gets very loud(has always done this since i had car, but in last few weeks, got LOUD....)

i just popped the hood, im 90% sure its the PS pump...

it does it at higher speeds also,but not really that loud, then when under 10mph (backing out driveway) its loud...

how hard do you think it is to install a new one?

thanks
cory

 

if the whine is like when you just start the car cold, then its just your a.i.r. pump. thats normal. it comes on to provide o2 to your cats when needed and is part of your emmisions. it does come on even when the is at N.O. temp occasionally. my pumps going out at 47k after 3 road race sessions. easiest way tn tell is to crank the wheel tn near full lock after youve been driving for a bit and give a good rev. if you hear a nice whine, then congrats, you get to change your pump btw there was a thread awhile ago that said the pump is overboosted from the factory. some company out there either will lower the boost if xou send them yours for a price or sell you a new one already converted. thats what im going to do. the pump seems to be a problem area since there a lot of threads about this.

 

I forgot where i read this, maybe in a magazine of mine, but the 02's and i'm sure 01's also had that problem fixed because GM became aware that it was a problem so they fixed it for our cars. So u might have to rule that point out, i could be wrong though. If i find out where i got it from i'll post it.