Power steering pump is screeching, how long will it last?

[rallyak]

I'm in the middle of my shift and my wife's power steering pump sounds like a metal on metal with out any lube. At higher rpm's the noise is not so bad but at idle its a very loud grinding sound.

I have another pump but this car will be on the road for at least the next 30 hours before I can change it.

Has any one had this happen?

[kimokalihi]

Has it got fluid?

[rallyak]

Fluid full and belt tight it's definitely internal.

[Someperson]

not very long

[rallyak]

I hope it will last till I get off, she has all ready drove 700 miles this morning on it and I just sent her on another 500 mile delivery. The pump is still pumping, I just hope it doesn't seize.

[James614]

If there's fluid in there and it's not pissing out, I strongly doubt it will sieze.

[rallyak]

Well it made another 500 miles but the gas mileage is down 3 mpg all day.

[Legacy777]

The screeching is more than likely coming from the bearing in the pump, not the actual innards of the pump. How long it lasts will depend, but I think you can drive on it for a little while longer.

[rallyak]

Thanks josh for the encouragement and its still working but holy crap it loud. I'm sitting at a light and she 5 cars ahead of me and I can hear it with my windows up. It's funny watching people at the light trying to find out where the noise is coming from. Seven more hours and counting.

[Someperson]

i hope it holds, best of luck to you guys!

[rallyak]

It made it,1600 miles. I'm not touching it tonight I'm too tired, I am going to be in a coma for the next 12 hours.

[rallyak]

I changed the pump and inspected the old one and the front bearing was toast. I had metal shaving all over the engine but still able to drive it. Looks like I just need a bearing and have a good pump again.

[Legacy777]

Check out my thread here on how to rebuild a psteering pump. I've got info there about the bearing and what you need.

http://bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=24143