Can a power steering pump fail with no noise?

[bolivier]

So I've got a new gearbox and fittings. Power steering is not working correctly. The power steering pump doesn't make any weird noises or anything. I'm just curious if it could have failed and I can't tell. Is there an easy way to test the power steering pump? Pull of the high side from the gearbox and crank it a little?

[Boog]

It is normal for it to remain quiet at first until you have bled the system.
Have you done the appropriate procedure for bleeding air out of the system? If not that would be as follows:
Raise the front wheels off the ground
start engine and let idle
top the fluid level off
turn the wheels all the way to the right and all the way to the left
don't hold it against the turn stops
do this for several minutes and the air should start coming to the top of the pump. It may start to whine as it begins to work the air out.

[bolivier]

Yeah. I did all that good stuff before I posted. It's just real annoying for it not to work. It all looks so beautiful.

So, you think it can be the pump without showing symptoms?

[Boog]

Sure it can. I have heard of the shaft in the pump broken. Also the relief valve could have failed. Do you see the fluid moving in the pump with the cap off and engine running? With engine running crack open the high pressure line at the steering sector and see if there is pressure there. If you have pressure getting to the sector then the problem most likely is in the sector and time to call the warranty into play.

[MoFormula]

Subscribed. I just had this very same problem. Stopped at the parts store to pick up bulb. Got back in the truck no power steering...no whining, no growling, no indication of a problem at all. Muscled it home. Have not had a chance to diagnose yet due to work.

[425buick]

Yes. I just had this problem with another GM vehicle. Same vintage. There are several configurations of the relief valve in the back of the pump. The wrong spring and valve piston combination can give you a quiet pump that doesn't pressurize the system. I did some research and made a guess since I had parts from three different pumps to choose from. Got lucky. I wish I h
ad the info for you but try to Google Lee Power Steering. I think that was the source. Good luck.

[kwmech]

You may want to check the dates on the posts before you reply 4 years later

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by kwmech

You may want to check the dates on the posts before you reply 4 years later

It still could be relevant and help someone out. That's the nice thing about this board, many of the threads and posts are timeless..... It never hurts to bring old threads back to the top.

Just my 2¢ worth.

LockDoc

[Sheepdip]

Originally Posted by lockdoc

it still could be relevant and help someone out. That's the nice thing about this board, many of the threads and posts are timeless..... It never hurts to bring old threads back to the top.

Just my 2¢ worth.

Lockdoc

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