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Power steering pump is screeching, how long will it last?
Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 12:21 am
by 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?
Re: Power steering pump is screeching, how long will it last
Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 1:51 am
by kimokalihi
Has it got fluid?
Re: Power steering pump is screeching, how long will it last
Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 2:25 am
by rallyak
Fluid full and belt tight it's definitely internal.
Re: Power steering pump is screeching, how long will it last
Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 2:32 am
by Someperson
not very long
Re: Power steering pump is screeching, how long will it last
Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 2:45 am
by 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.
Re: Power steering pump is screeching, how long will it last
Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 10:31 am
by James614
If there's fluid in there and it's not pissing out, I strongly doubt it will sieze.
Re: Power steering pump is screeching, how long will it last
Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 12:13 pm
by rallyak
Well it made another 500 miles but the gas mileage is down 3 mpg all day.
Re: Power steering pump is screeching, how long will it last
Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 2:10 pm
by 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.
Re: Power steering pump is screeching, how long will it last
Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 7:53 pm
by 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.
Re: Power steering pump is screeching, how long will it last
Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 9:10 pm
by Someperson
i hope it holds, best of luck to you guys!
Re: Power steering pump is screeching, how long will it last
Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2013 5:49 am
by 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.
Re: Power steering pump is screeching, how long will it last
Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2013 7:12 pm
by 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.

Re: Power steering pump is screeching, how long will it last
Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2013 1:55 am
by 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