A power steering pump is used in the vehicle which is occupied with a hydraulic power steering system. The power steering pump pressurizes the hydraulic fluid of power steering to help the driver turn the steering wheel quickly. A steering pump is installed at the engine and it runs with the help of the engine belt. The power steering pump is connected to the steering rack with the help of a small size pipeline. In which power steering fluid runs with high pressure.
When the steering wheel is turned by the driver these fluids start circulating with pressure from the steering pump. Due to this driver can turn the steering wheel quickly. In this mechanism pressure of power steering fluid by the g pump at engine idle speed is low. But when the engine revolution increases its pressure increases.
In some vehicle which is occupied with steering pump. There is a small switch in the steering pump which is used to monitor the pressure build-up in the steering pump. Send this signal to the engine control module.
Causes of failure of power steering pump:
Low amount of hydraulic fluid present in the reservoir.
Leak pipe from where hydraulic fluid passes.
A high amount of hydraulic fluid is present in the reservoir.
Leak in the fluid reservoir tank.
Loose engine timing belt.
Failure of steering pump pulley.
Dirty dust particles in power steering fluid.
Symptoms of failure of power steering pump:
Turning the steering wheel becomes a hard job.
Erratic noise from the steering pump.
Leak hydraulic fluid from steering pump.
How it works:
It rotates continuously when the engine is running with the help of an engine accessory belt. The pump has an inlet from where fluid enters it, the internal mechanism of the pump creates pressure and sends this fluid in pressure towards steering through its outlet. It continuously makes pressure, fluid always circulates through it.
How to fix failure of power steering pump:
The steering pump is located at the front face of the engine and connected to the engine accessory belt. It can be seen from the side of the engine. When there is any problem occurs at the steering pump it could not be an easy job to fix this problem. This problem with the power steering pump is very difficult to understand. When the power steering pump fails, it stops pressurizing hydraulic fluid present in the reservoir. As a result, turning the steering wheel becomes a hard job.
To confirm if the power steering pump is faulty or not. You need to check hydraulic fluid circulation at the steering pump reservoir. Remove the cap of the steering pump reservoir and check the circulation of fluid in the engine start condition. If oil is circulating in pressure as you will see in the reservoir. Then it means that the steering pump is working fine there is some other problem. But if in case hydraulic fluid is not circulate in pressure then it means that the steering pump is faulty.
When the steering pump does not fail but still steers when turns too hard. Then you need to check all the other parts of the hydraulic power steering pump. Like hydraulic fluid filters, leak pipes, and jammed steering fluid pipes due to which turning the steering wheel is not easy.
In some cases there is no problem with the system, it requires only flushing the system. In this situation flushing all the hydraulic pressure fluid out from the system so that all the dust particles go all the out with fluid. Now refit the whole system fill the reservoir with the proper grade of fluid and check the operation of turning the steering wheel.
Also, check if there is any pipeline from where the hydraulic pressure fluid is leake or not. Because when there is any pipeline will be leak the steering pump will not be able to build up high pressure. If there is any leak present in the pipeline of a hydraulic system, then repair or replace that.
Can we drive with fail steering pump:
Driving with a failed steering pump is not good as it will be difficult to control the steering wheel when the steering pump fails. It will require more power or torque to turn the steering wheel. In this condition, driving a vehicle will lead to damage and injury to the driver. As if in any situation you need to turn the steering quickly, then it will not turn too quickly.
Common problem while diagnosing:
Most of the time mechanic did not diagnose all the other parts which are connected to power steering pump. They directly change power steering pump to solve the steering related problem. Below are the direction to check if steering pump is faulty or not.
Most of the time mechanic did not diagnose all the other parts that are connected to the power steering pump. They directly change the power steering pump to solve the steering-related problem. Below are the directions to check if the steering pump is faulty or not.
Diagnosing a faulty steering pump is not an easy job. When there will be the problem of hard turning of the steering wheel. It does not mean that this problem is just because of a faulty steering pump. There could be some other problem also, as there are some other parts also connected to the power steering pump. Check every parts which are connected to the steering pump. Like the pulley of the steering pump, engine belt condition, leak fluid reservoir, fluid pipeline, etc. Because there is any part is damaged or leaked then the steering pump will not be able to put pressure on fluid circulation.
How to replace :
When there is any problem in the vehicle related to the power steering pump. You need to change that power steering pump as soon as possible. Because when you do not change the faulty pump, it will damage the entire steering system.
When it is time to replace the power steering pump you need to drain the whole oil present in the system. From the reservoir tank, oil cooler, and also from pipelines. Then remove all the screws which hold the pump at the engine block. Installed a new pump at its location and made sure it fit properly.
Fill the fluid into the reservoir to the maximum level and start the engine. After starting the engine again check the fluid in the reservoir if the oil level is not at the minimum level then fill the fluid into it till at least the minimum level.
Location of steering pump:
The power steering pump is located at the front of the engine under the hood. It rotates with the help of an engine accessory belt and helps the steering operation with less effort. It has an inlet valve from which fluid enters into it and an outlet through which fluid enters into steering in pressure. In some premium vehicles, a fluid cooler is installed to cool down the temperature of the fluid. Fluid coolers cool down the temperature of the power steering fluid. In some vehicles, the fluid reservoir is located at the upper body of the pump. In the other model reservoir is present at the corner of the engine compartment.
How risky it is to drive with faulty power steering pump:
Driving with the problem of a failed pump can cause serious injury to the occupants. As it plays an important role in turning the steering wheel according to the requirements. When it stops or does not function properly turning a wheel with a hand can take more effort.
In some situations, if the pump stops functioning completely it will not help the driver to turn the steering wheel according to the requirement. Because of this, it could be possible that a major accident can occur. When a driver wants to steer the wheel it will not turn as per the requirement. Due to all these reasons do not drive the vehicle in case of vehicle is under a fail steering pump.
Solution:
Fill the required amount of hydraulic fluid present in the reservoir.
Repair or replace the leak pipe from where hydraulic fluid passes.
Replace leakage at the fluid reservoir tank.
Tighten the engine timing belt.
Replace faulty steering pump pulley.
Flush fluid to remove dirty dust particles in the power steering fluid.
Precaution need to be care while replacing steering pump:
Do not try to replace the power steering pump when the engine is hot. Before replacing the power steering pump turn OFF the engine and wait for a while. So that engine heat can escape from the engine compartment. Do not open the steering pump from the engine block without removing the accessory belt. Before opening the steering pump drain complete oil from the power steering system. Remove clips very carefully which are used to tighten the pipeline of fluid. Remove the engine accessory belt by pushing the tensioner in the clockwise direction.
While removing the power steering pump if it is required to open the pulley of the pump then remove the pulley. As in some cases opening a complete steering pump is no possible.
When a new steering pump is installed fill the small amount of fluid into its inlet hole and then fit it. Also, fill the container of power steering fluid to the maximum level before starting the engine. If you start the engine without filling fluid into it, it can damage the internal parts of the pump. After starting the engine turn the steering wheel toward right and left so that fluid can reach the entire system. Then if required refill the container of fluid to the required level then refill it.
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Special note:
Power steering pumps work on the principle of hydraulic fluid pressure. Sometimes hydraulic fluid leaks from its reservoir. The power steering pump did get enough hydraulic fluid to build pressure then it started making noise. When you hear the noise from the steering pump stop the vehicle and do not start the engine.
First of all, check the fluid level in the reservoir. If the fluid is not okay then fill the hydraulic fluid reservoir according to the requirement. Then start the vehicle and check if the steering pump is making noise or not. If it does stop making noise then it means that the requirement of fluid is now good. But if in case it makes noise even after filling the fluid then again check the lever of the fluid if required then again fill the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir.
When there is any problem that occurs in the power steering system. Like if its operation is hard or it is making any kind of noise. First, go check the container of fluid, and see if the fluid level in the container is at the required level. If fluid is not present in the container at the required levels then also steering operation will be hard and noisy. In this situation first, check if there is any leakage in the system due to which fluid level is low in the container. If any leak then first close that leak so that the problem of low oil level in the container can be solved.
If the fluid level is low in the system then fill the fluid and then check the steering operation. Now if the operation is good and there is no noise then do not replace any parts.