Noisy PS Pump

[Manarius]

At idle, my PS pump sounds like it's grinding up a storm. I'm almost positive it's the pump and not the alternator grinding. Anyways, I was wondering if it's just a product of age or if I'm low on fluid. I looked at the stick and it looks full at both positions (warm and cold). I haven't noticed any PS issues, in fact it works quite nicely, I just noticed how noisy it is.

I watched my mechanic dump AT fluid in a PS pump's reservoir(not my own) until the pump quieted up - is that a good idea or not?

[tzedek]

ATF is what the power steering pump calls for

[soloracer]

Flush the reservoir of stuff labeled power steering fluid. The Subaru pumps specify right on the cap to use a dextron ATF fluid. this may quiet your pump. I used the spiffy synthetic stuff in my $20 junkyard replacement pump and it's quiet as can be.

Nifty Hint: an old sprayer from degreaser or window cleaner etc. works great for sucking the old fluid out and provides it's own container for disposal.

[Manarius]

No no, I think you guys are misunderstanding me (I can be confusing). I know the PS Pump takes ATF, that's not the issue. I know it's got ATF in there even. My problem is that it's a little noisy (it's like minor grinding, but not deathly grinding). So, once I saw a mechanic dump ATF into the pump reservoir until it quieted down (he didn't pay attention to the full marks). Should I do the same thing or are the full marks rather important and my pump is just showing its age?

[Legacy777]

The pump will eventually die. I had one that made a bunch of noise. If you take the belt off, it will probably be tough to turn the shaft, or will not be smooth.

You'll need to replace it.