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Failing power steering pumps can exhibit a number of different symptoms, some of them more obvious than others. You should always be observant of changes to the way your vehicle is operating. If you notice any changes and are unsure of what may be causing them, it is best to have a professional inspect your vehicle to determine if the changes are of any safety concern. That being said, if you notice any of the following issues, it is possible your power steering pump is the cause.
Trapped air in a power steering system is a very common issue. The symptoms are normally very obvious, and most people who have a driven a vehicle with a traditional hydraulic power steering system have experienced the moan or whine that indicates the air being pushed through the system by the power steering pump. This noise will often be overlooked initially because it will not contain any other issues other than just a noise coming from the engine compartment. But left alone and not repaired, eventually this air will cause further damage to the power steering system.
There are a number of different signs of a failing power steering hose. Some of the symptoms of a bad or failing power steering hose are obvious and others are more subtle. If you are experiencing any issues with your power steering system, it is crucial you inspect the entire system for potential failures or damage. When inspecting power steering hoses, pay attention to a couple of things.
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Another cause of clogged power steering lines is from outside contaminants getting into the system.
This often happens from allowing dust and debris to get into the systemwhile replacing a part or filling the power steering system. This type of problem can also happen from certain types of power steering fluid leaks. Sometimes fluid leaks will develop and only leak when the engine is not running. But, while it is running, the fluid pressure causes negative pressure in the system which results in outside air being sucked into the system. When that air is sucked in, outside contaminants like dust and other debris will be introduced into the system. That is why it is important to fix even small fluid leaks.
When these contaminants or metal shavings get stuck in the hoses, normally it will occur on the return line section. The reason for this is because once the fluid leaves the rack and pinion or steering gear it is traveling at a much lower PSI. The clog will often happen in the power steering cooler, or at any major bend in metal tubing sections. When this clog occurs, the system will be starved for fluid, while developing too much pressure at the same time. Clogs like this can cause the power steering to be erratic, working fine one moment while requiring excessive effort the next. For this reason, clogged power steering lines can be very dangerous because of their unpredictability. In addition to the erratic power steering assist, oftenthe power steering pump will whine or moan, indicating it is cavitatingdue to the lack of fluid flowing through the system.
In order to prevent these issues, it is in your best interest to thoroughly flush the power steering system any time you replace a component. You should also thoroughly flush the power steering system every 50,000 miles. If you think your power steering lines may be clogged it will require a power steering pressure tester to verify your concern. This is not a tool most DIY’ershave and must be used with cautionor you will run the risk of damaging your power steering system further.
If you have additional questions on your power steering system, please reach out to our technicians in the Ask the Experts forum.
Power Steering Q & A > Symptoms > Clogged Power Steering Line Symptoms
Clogged Power Steering Line Symptoms
Clogged power steering lines can cause a number of different symptoms - some more noticeable than others. Causes of clogged power steering lines can be several things. Most of the time it is due to internal failure of a hose, power steering pump or rack and pinon/steering gear. Frequentlywhen one of those components fail, metal shavings or rubber bits will circulate through the system.
