Power Steering Noise
 

OK, my question is on the PS system. It works well, but often times when going around corners, it will let out a shrieking noise. Nothing felt through the wheel, but just a loud screaming noise.

While I like to see people looking at my truck, I don't necessarily like it for this reason.

I have done the standard bleeding (slowly turning lock to lock), both with the engine off and running. I changed the belts, retightened them, and still have the problem.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Re: Power Steering Noise
 

Most of the time it's the belt but there is a good chance that it's the bearings in the pump
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Re: Power Steering Noise
 

Before you start buying parts, pull out the old fluid, replace with Lucas power steering fluid/treatment. This stuff works wonders!!
Tim

Re: Power Steering Noise
 

Used that on my $150 grand am, worked great!

Re: Power Steering Noise
 

I did a full fluid flush earlier, but with no improvement (wasn't Lucas though).

Thanks for the ideas.

Re: Power Steering Noise
 

OK I'm taking it its got clean new fluid in the reservoir , was the old fluid burnt and black in color ? ,im thinking its air bubble in the pump ,try bleeding the p/s ,jack up the front tires off the ground ,start the engine let idle and turn the steering wheel stop to stop back and forth ,have someone look in the reservoir to see if foam or air bubbles coming to the top .other than that the pump might be just bad on high pressure side

Re: Power Steering Noise
 

The lucas is the key.

Re: Power Steering Noise
 

Does it do it sitting still turning the wheel?
I'd guess the belt is loose, or glazed, as already mentioned.
I'm missing how magic fluid will stop belt squeal... :)

Re: Power Steering Noise
 

New fluid, new belts - tight, done the front jacked up/turn wheels several times with no luck. Old fluid wasn't black, just a bit dark.

Have seen lots of tiny bubbles at times, but have done the bleeding many times.

Re: Power Steering Noise
 

If you see lots of tiny bubbles you need to let them settle out befor adding new fluid and turning your wheels. Once they settle out add more fluid, then with the front wheels off the ground start the truck and run the wheels all the way right and then all the way left then shut the truck down. Check for bubble in the fluid. If there is still bubbles, then once the bubbles settle out, repeat the process. I do not believe this to be your problem though, because you discribe the problem to be a shreak not a whine. Shreaking is the belt slipping on the pullys, whining is low fluid or bubbles in the fluid.
I would pull the belt, and dress the pullies with emory cloth to get them to bite the belt better.
I should ask are you turning the wheel all the way either direction? If so, many times the belt will shreak once you come up against the steering stops. WES

Re: Power Steering Noise
 

Thanks WES for the suggestion. I will try dressing the pully next. As far as the screech, it doesn't usually happen when static (stopped), so it is not when the wheel is turned to the stops. Usually when going around a corner.

Thanks again all.

Re: Power Steering Noise
 

Another thing to consider is your front end alignment. If your front end is out of alignment the tires will squeel going around corners. WES

Re: Power Steering Noise
 

My truck does the exact same thing...but its not around corners, its when I turn the wheel all the way to the right or left, or when Ive just started my truck and try turning the wheel.

Re: Power Steering Noise
 

That sounds like a belt issue. Check to see if the belt is loose, there should only be about 1/4" of movement up and down. If more than that it would need tightening. If it still squeals then try a new belt and dress the pullies while you have it off. WES

Also make sure your belt matches your pullies. I have seen people use too narrow of belts and have the same problems.

Re: Power Steering Noise
 

I thought that PS noise at full lock was normal because the pump doesn't have a bypass.

Here, I found a link...

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=418687

Re: Power Steering Noise
 

that pump can be bad and is creating the air bubbles on its own ,
for belts use a soap bar on them if you think its squeals from them,but im sure its from the pump it self ,just my guess without looking at the truck

Re: Power Steering Noise
 

You must believe in the magic fluid Grasshopper! With all that he has done, sounds like an internal problem. The Lucas will free up sticky valves and condition inside the system. I have seen it work wonders.

Re: Power Steering Noise
 

If the pump is full of fluid, this is not possible. The pump is submerced in fluid and unless the fluid level is low when turning the wheel, there is no way for air to get to it.
Also transmission fluid should not be used as power steering fluid. The additives eat the seals in the steering gear. WES

Re: Power Steering Noise
 

re. loud squeeling: I'm with the belts/pulleys crowd on this one.

I'm not talking about the gearbox stop noise. But in all my experiences with the high frequency squeeling while turning it's always been either the belts, belt/pulley alignment or the metal contact surface on the pulleys being glazed or burnt.

In another case I had a Tahoe that had the multi groove pulley that was so worn the new belts would slip on it. I would up having to get a new pulley.

Check the belt alignment carefully. See if you can locate a cheap pump with the pulley at the junkyard to try.

Re: Power Steering Noise
 

Well thought to add this today due to same issues with growling going on. This would be just after replacing the steering gear with a new re-manfactured Cardone unit.

WES is spot on this, ran through the steering 20 turns, engine off. Burp, added fluid, did again for 20 turns. Then started engine and did the same. Just took it for a test drive and am very happy!

Thanks Wes for your guidance on this, hope to meet you soon!