Hey guys, I purchased a new bearing and seals for my power steering pump. I rebuilt it using the Honda service manual, and I did everything right that I know of. I bled the system and added fluid like I was suppose to.

Well now, when I turn the steering wheel, the whole car shakes, and it sounds like the steering rack is grinding.

Any ideas?

 

Is the PS belt tight and not slipping?

Did you bleed the system? Fill the reservoir with PS fluid and, with the front end on stands, turn the wheel lock-to-lock multiple times.

 

I had my friend turn the wheels (while jacked up) and watched the pulley and the belt did not appear to be slipping.

I bled the system, but maybe not enough? I turned the wheel lock-to-lock for about 5 mintues, with the front end jacked up.

Would this happen if there was too much fluid in the reservoir? I accidentally put a little too much in, but didn't think it would be a problem. It's a little above the max line.

 

Is the grating/grinding noise coming from the rack or pump?

 

pretty sure it's the rack
i feel it mostly in the steering wheel. as it grinds it shakes the car.

 

You either have air still trapped in the system or the pump isn't working. Try checking the system pressure:

 

how long should it have taken to bleed the system?
will the system eventually bleed itself the rest of the way from just driving the car?

 

When I replaced my steering rack, four to five full turns of the steering wheel was sufficient. My guess is that either fluid flow is somehow blocked or the pump is not working.

 

You also might want to check the control valve on the pump.

 

alright
i'm about to take the pump off and apart again

also, upon further inspection it seems that the noise comes from the pump, however, i can feel it in the steering wheel and it shakes the whole car.

also, while the car is jacked up it doesn't shake and grind as bad.