If your car lets out a groan when you turn the steering wheel, your power steering pump is going bad. This pump will last approximately 100,000 miles before it needs to be replaced. When it does need to be replaced, JTR Repair can do it for you. We can also inspect your power steering system to make sure there are no other problems, such as low power steering fluid or worn bearings.
Noises When Steering
Admittedly, groaning is the most common sound a power steering pump will make when it is going bad. This being said, you may also hear moaning or squealing sounds when you turn the steering wheel. You will notice that the volume of the sound increases the more you turn the wheel. Head to our shop right away if your steering is making these noises. Ignoring the noise will only make the problem worse.
Difficulty Steering
Part of what will get worse is your ability to turn the steering wheel. The wheel will get tighter and tighter as the pump continues to die because the fluid will not be circulating through the system like it needs to be. This is the pump’s job. As a result, you will feel as if you don’t have power steering at all.
Unresponsive Steering
The reason why time is of the essence in replacing the power steering pump is that your vehicle’s steering may get unresponsive. In other words, you will turn the wheel but the vehicle won’t change directions. As you can imagine, it’s extremely dangerous to drive your vehicle when you cannot control it. As such, let us test the power steering pump and replace it if necessary.
Leaking Red Fluid
You may not have any of the problems listed above. Rather, the power steering pump will simply start to leak once it gets too old and needs to be replaced. If you see red fluid on your garage floor underneath the engine, it could be the pump that is leaking.
Silver Flakes in the Fluid
Finally, the power steering pump can start to disintegrate once it goes bad. This is a huge problem that cannot be fixed. The pump dissolves into the power steering fluid and fills the fluid with metal flakes. In this case, we need to replace the pump quickly to avoid damaging the system.
Call JTR Repair in Crawfordsville, IN, right away if your power steering is acting up. We can replace the power steering pump if it needs it.