Thread: Power Steering Pump Question

Originally Posted by Hair

2002 GP GT
My power steering pump is whining loudly, especially until the car gets warmed-up, but still whines even after warm-up.
There is no fluid loss and the fluid in it is not foamy. I have looked at it for a few weeks now.
The steering is fine as far as I can tell and I see no leaks and the pump checks full. When I turn sharp it whines even LOUDER of course.
It is a cheap aftermarket pump from autozone that I put on 5 or 6 years ago because the original one was leaking, but I have not had any issues until lately.
The cap does not fit good and tight on it and never has.
I thought that may be a problem, but the fluid is not foamy and it should have been a problem 5 years ago if the cap was the issue.

I'm thinking to buy an AC Delco pump and replace, but I don't want to waste money if that's not it.
Could the pump itself be bad if it is whining, even though the steering is fine?
From all that I read, if the pump whines, it's low fluid or air in the system, but I have neither problem.
I haven't read anything that says that the pump itself may be bad if it whines.
I have also read that the fluid itself may be bad, but I just don't hardly believe that would be the issue.

So, do yall think the pump is bad?

Sounds like a bad pump to me. The autozone one may be a lifetime warranty. If it lasted 5 years I would just put another one of those on if its free. Flush out the lines to get all the fluid out, I'm sure it is contaminated with metal flakes. You could suck out the fluid in the reservoir and add some Lucas to try and quit it down and buy some time. You also have to worry about the metal in the fluid messing up the rack.

I went through three Cardone remans (probably 99% chance Autozone is a Cardone reman) before I got tired of it and bought a new GM pump. First start with GM pump and zero noise. Been perfect since. Every one of the Cardone remans whined. The colder the weather the louder the whine. I had new lines, rack, tried various viscosity PS and trans fluids, etc. Nothing worked. Their rebuild job tolerances are not good enough.....

i got a duralast like 8 years ago, it was dead silent the day i installed it, and its still quiet. maybe i got the freak pump lol

proof lol a year or so a go right after the is install.