In the continuing saga that is my 95 camaro that is about to turn over 1/4 million miles, I noticed the other day as i cranked the car up and pulled out the power steering made a noise like it was low on fluid. Stopped the car and checked and the fluid was super full and frothy. The rack and pinion is new (within the last 6 months) So does this sound familiar to any of you? Is the pump going out?

 

Sounds like it may be low. Check it cold before you start it. Fill if needed, start the car, check it, fill, turn wheels all the way left then right, check, fill, repeat till it stays on the cold mark.

 

Frothy will destroy the pump, so don't drive too much. Make sure all lines are tight and no possiblity to pull air into the system. Good luck!

 

recheck the level when cold, that way the bubbles/froth can dissipate, and you can assess the true level.

Adjust level as needed. If the level is OK when cold, then as mentioned above, check all lines. I'd replace the pump as a last resort since they are generally pretty reliable.

 

The car WAS cold. I had just cranked it up first thing and the noise. There was also a loud squeeling after a couple minutes. Like a jet turbine. I thought it was the alternator (re another post) but I am thinking it is the pump.

Level is still high. I had noticed the night before the steering seemed funky at times but didn't think TOO much of it. Now I am.

Priced them out and Advanced Auto has one priced at just under $60, with a coupon from coupon cabin (my sister turned me on to them) I can get it for a little over $40.

So guess what my next project will be...

 

Also I did cycle the wheel back and forth, no change.