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Power steering pump whines and wont turn at low speed or rpm?

25K views 11 replies 9 participants last post by  dmsfun 
#1 ·
My power steering pump on my Hemi is shot . The pump makes a awful whining noise and will not function at low rpm . This is the second pump in the past month with the same problem. Granted after the first pump went at 100k i replaced it with a used unit with 60k that i had laying around .. Is this common ? Could there be another prob? The fluid is clean and there are no leaks . Hopefully this is a weird occurrence . I managed to find a reman pump so hopefully it fixes my prob.
 
#2 ·
Maybe the one with 60k was on its way out before you installed it. Some people told me to stay clear installing used parts because there's no telling how long they will last, the same thing cud be Said about New ones, but at least you know it started from scratch
 
#6 · (Edited)
Yeah i only run the mopar fluid ... It took me a while to find a reman pump ..they are on backorder everywhere .. Im not paying 307.00 for a oem one .. I guess the 5.7l Grand and the commander are the only one who use this pump so there arnt many out there to reman.
 
#8 · (Edited)
I replaced the pump again with a reman pump that my local auto parts store found . Pump works great and turns fine but on cold starts after sitting overnight , i still hear the pump make a whining noise for a split second then its fine with no noise . Im going to try to just flushing the fluid with new mopar stuff .

Any ideas how to flush the power steering system? Just keep draining and filling the reservoir?
 
#9 · (Edited)
Unless you have replaced the resevoir as well, this is a common "cold-start" condition (when temperature is below freezing).

They have released a newer p/s resevoir that addresses this concern, and it is a rather straightforward process to swap them out, if it really bothers you - empty the resevoir and detach a couple of hoses.

If you search around here, I am sure there are plenty of threads on how to swap out the p/s fluid, but I believe it is as follows:

You can take a little bit at a time out of the resevoir, making sure you do some steering inbetween to circulate the fluid or you can detach the return hose and have it drain straight into a bucket (while you keep topping up the resevoir)

Getting all the air out of the system is a little harder, since you have to cycle the fan to do it. At the dealership, they will simply activate the fan using the starscan - if you do it at home you have to activate it by flipping on the a/c.

If you are set on flushing the fluid, you might as well replace the resevoir at the same time - I do not believe it is an expensive part.
 
#10 · (Edited)
Yeah i just found this :

From the WK SRT manual:

"NOTE: Increased noise levels at the end of the steering
wheel travel are considered normal and do not indicate
that there is a problem with the power steering system.
Upon initial start-up in cold weather, the power steering
pump may make noise for a short amount of time. This is
due to the cold, thick fluid in the steering system. This
noise should be considered normal, and it does not in any
way damage the steering system."


If jeep says its ok then i guess i can deal ... Anyone have a part number for the new reservoir?

"Power Steering Fluid Check
The power steering system requires the use of Mopar
Hydraulic System Power Steering Fluid (P/N
05142893AA), or equivalent, which meets
DaimlerChrysler Material Standard MS-10838."

"CAUTION
Do not use Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) or
other types of power steering fluids when servicing
the power steering system of this vehicle. Damage to
the power steering system can result from the use of
the wrong power steering fluid."
 
#11 ·
My PS pump started to Whine. Checked the fluid level and it was OK so I ignored it. Steering was sometimes hard at slow engine RPM. Then I found that if I sat at Idle the Engine Temp would rise.
And I discovered that the fan runs on the PS pump Too!

Talked to others and they said NO, PS does not run fan. I said it sure Does!

I installed a new PS Pump. I read all the stuff about Only using Mopar Fluid. The Parts stores all said that was Hogwash.

But I wanted to do it right. So I went to the One Mopar Dealer in town. They had the fluid at about $12 a quart! They had One Quart in stock.

Guess what, the system requires More than one Quart. Not wanting to wait with my vehicle down, I used the Mopar and added Lucas PS fluid. Now I have this Weird Mix.

Well, My Steering works fine. And I do not overheat at idle. However the new pump does Whine. Worse when it is cold. I just tell folks it is my Supercharger and live with it. Working Fine for Many miles now!!:thumbsup:
 
#12 ·
You do not have to use Mopar fluid, just look on the sticker on the reservoir, and it says or equivalent. They sell the equivalent at parts stores, much cheaper. When you replace the pump and it whines, that means there are restrictions somewhere, which is likely in the flow control valve on the fan motor. There is a TSB describing this. This valve cannot be serviced, and the dealer wants nearly 1,000 for the fan and motor assembly.
 
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