Power Steering issues!!

[ssobel80]

My power steering has been making a lot of noise and the steering wheel jumps while trying to turn the wheel. It feels like it is trying to fight with me. Sometimes if I let go off the wheel while the wheels are turned (when standing still!) The wheel will jump back and forth completely on its own! I decided to try and bleed the air from the pump by turning the wheels from lock to lock, it seemed to start to work a little, so I kept going. Well it really started making a lot of noise and then smoking. So I thought this isn't right!! Well of course I had to push it and try once more and all of a sudden there was a loud POP!!! And now I have no power steering!!

 

[IZwack]

Any idea where the smoke was coming from? Like could it perhaps be the serpentine belt burning up (seized pump) and then snapping? Cauz if that goes, you definitely won't have power steering as that is the mechanism that transfers power from the engine to the power steering's hydraulic pump.

 

[ssobel80]

The smoke was coming from the power steering fluid it was getting so hot it was steaming and smnoking a little.

I replaced the ps pump today everything was working great for a minute. No noise at all, steering felt smooth and worked great. Was turning the wheels from lock to lock again to bleed the air out and POP!! No power steering again!!!!

When bleeding the air out should the wheels be on the ground or in the air. If they were on the ground could that make this happen?

 

[wingman98]

yes keep the wheels in the air while bleeding the system

 

[vroomzoomboom]

if you heard a pop, then lost your steering, hate to say it, but your rack might be gone. did that earlier this summer. was turning wheel lock to lock when "pop", lost steering to one side. figured pump went as well (even though it was only 5 months, and less them 500kms old). replaced the pump, worked fine for about a min, then "pop", nothing. replaced the rack, now it works fine.

 

[ssobel80]

Is there a way to check the rack? If it is the rack does that mean my pump I have is still good?

 

[ssobel80]

So after doing some more research I think I have come to the conclussion that vroomzoomboom is right and it is the rack and pinion. I was having some tell tale signs such as when I turned and hit a bump would hear a loud knock, bang sound, was hard to steer at times felt like it would get hung up when trying to return wheels to center from a turn.

Anyone have suggestions as far as which brand to go with? I think I am going to get the one from NAPA as it is the easiest way to go. I also have autozone and advanced close by but don't really want to replace something like the rack with duralast or fenco products.

Are the NAPA reman"s better? or is there a recommended brand