Power Steering
 

My power steering went on my 2000 grand am se with 37K miles on it. The warranty from dealer I bought it at is done. So what am I looking at (estimation) for repair and is there a upgrade pump that you would recomend since I gotta replace it anyway?

I know its the pump since none of the fluid has leaked and I filled it to the top even though it was almost full just to be sure that low fluid was the problem. Had another friend look at it and he agrees. Its the pump.

Anyway let me know. BTW its a 2.4L 4cyl if that matters.

If its just the pump, try to find it on gmpartsdirect. (ask for the Part Number in the part number forum). Its pretty easy to change out, ive had mine off a couple of times.

What do you mean by "went"? You dont have any steering? (Mine was making all sorts of crazy noises and was requiring a lot of effort to turn, so i siphened out all the old fluid and replaced it. Works fine now)

I mean there is no power aided steering. Need to put some muscle into it. There is no noise though.
I guess factory pump is recomended? no third party stuff out there that anyone would like to give a shout out for?

Did it just go suddenly? I dont think there are really any electronics related to that pump, but itd be worth looking into. My car has 99xxx miles, and my steering pump works fine... So yours to go at 30 some, is very strange!

I got my pump at AutoZone,alot cheaper than factory and works just the same.Pump was around $75(if I remember correctly)after core refund.

Look in the Warranty/TSB area about this, there is Bulletin for poor power steering performance in cold weather on 2.4L engines.

Thanks!

Paul Reed

Power Steering went out
 

Ok, so I'm doin a U-turn at the end of my block last night to get into my parkin spot...and I hear a snap. Next thing I know my power steering went out. Took it by the dealer today and they're gonna charge $85 just to look at it. I heard there was a recall on power steering or something. Anyone had this happen to them? Or something similar? Any ideas where to take my car ? Or any ideas on what actually it is that broke?

Steering issues
 

Hello everyone, how are you all doing today. I have an issue with my steering. I was trning a corner and my steering went completely stiff. As if the power steering is gone. But I had the power steering pump checked and it is pumping fine. Does anyone have any idea what else it could be. Is there anything else for me to check like, electrical or is my rack and pinion messed up. Pls help me out. Thanks, Grand Am GT lover. Porz :(

What did you find out about your steering, the same thing happened to me.

ouch, how much miles u got on it?

74000 miles

You probably need a new pump. I blew it by doing a reverse donut in snow. But it was fixed under warranty. Hopefully yours is covered.

Here is update on situation. Over the weekend I replaced the power steering pump and in the process of replacing the pump the adapter on the engine side with hex shaped hole that fits the pump and round on outside slid out with the pump. Some asking around at 2 diffrent auto parts store no one knew for sure but they thought it is a piece forced into the cam. A final stop at the Pontiac dealer confirmed it. So I spent $144 on pump - $50 for core + $10 for the adapter piece. the new one slid in and we forced it in a little bit further since it slid in to ez to its original spot. Got power steering back for now but if this adapter piece happens to wiggle loose again short of buying a new cam and installing it what would you guys recomend doing? Think epoxy would hold over long terms and in conditions where temp is constantly changing. engine runs at 200F and tempatures around here his -10F at times. even less sometimes. So I dont know how epoxy would be affected with constant temp rise and drops. Or if it is a good long term solution.
If anyone interested in seeing this cam drivin power steering assembly I took a few pics I can post and as soon as I get back to friends house I can scan in the diagrams pontiac gave me for reference.
Im disapointed in GM for designing such a thing that is simply pressed in place rather than using simple threads or making a hex hole in cam that would fit pump.

Ya, I did reverse donut in snow for 2 min and ****ed up the pump. Thank god warranty.

Pics are a bit huge but if ya wanna look at them here they are...
step-n-up.com/images/dscf0234.jpg
step-n-up.com/images/dscf0235.jpg

First one is side of engine block up close cam shot. Second one is the adapter out of cam shot and the power steering pump shot just so you see how it comes together...

power steering leak
 

I just replaced the power steering resivour on my 92 grand am 2.3 I used the old power steering pump again. Im leaking a lot of fluid. Is it common for a leak to be between the pump and resivour. Or is it probly in a hose? thanks

naah, it wont be covered, the pumps that were covered by that recall were very few 1999 grand am's that were built in early 1998.

weird noise
 

does anyone know what this problem is? when i start my car when its really cold, i hear some kind of screeching sound...it almost sounds like when you try starting the car when the engine is already running...

the car always turns on though..

Power steering pump?

(I think-?) from the pump not getting any power steering fluid flowing thru it because the fluid has gotten thicker from the cold temps.
Last winter: I checked my power steering fluid level (because the power steering pump area was making moise) when it was below -25C/-13F outside.
The power steering fluid was really thick.
It only seems to happen, when it is like below -20C/-4F outside.

The noise goes away as the engine warms-up.

oh ok..that sounds about right..its been that cold these past two weeks..
thanks

It could also be the AC compressor clutch. If so, the noise will stop when you put the heater to defrost

Re: weird noise
 

I have the exact same problem. I start the car and the moment it starts and I release the key it does the screech (Like trying to start your car while its running noise). The screech lasts like 1/2 a second up to 1 second. Annoying as hell.

i to have the same problem with my vehicle, i've taken it back but the stupid car doesent do it. Sometimes i could go a day without hearing the noise but it always comes back does anyone know whats causing it, i want to get it looked after while i still have warranty

I had that problem a few years back on a really cold week. I checked the power steering pump and it was low. Filled her up and the screech was gone.

Re: weird noise
 

Does it sound kind of like "Bbbblllllleeeeeee?"

'Cause maybe it's just trying to talk to you...

Sounds to me like just the serpentine belt squeeking.....dunno....good luck.

Re: Re: weird noise
 

That's weird.....mine sounded more like "sevntywonzzzeeeeeeee":D

Yep- it got down to -20 (-45 w/ windchill) here 2 weeks ago, and my power steering pump did the same thing. The fluid wasn't low, but it was thick. I've never had this problem with any other vehicle, does this mean our power steering pumps are weak?

I'm still on the original pump with 120,000 miles, so I don't think that counts as weak. It's only ever made that noise on me a few times and it was super cold. It might just be an unusual characteristic.

Thats what I was hoping for, and if mine is gonna go- hopefully it will just do it now while its under warranty.

my car makes the squeel no matter how cold or hot it is outside. what could it be

A loud squeel might mean its time for a new serpentine belt.

Mine squeels really loud when I start it, then as the car gets warmer it goes away, but never fully. When i drive slow i can still hear it. That would be the belt right, meaning I need to get a new one?

Well - first a couple questions:

Did this happen only the one time?
If it continually happens, when does it happen?
All the time?
Have you checked the power steering fluid level?
Does it look black and contaminated?
Can you hear a whining noise when you turn the wheel under heavy load?
Have you checked all of your tires' pressures?
Does the car pull to the left or right when you let go of the steering wheel?
Does your serpentine belt have the correct tension?

Maybe
 

Wasn't there a recall on this for other models??

If there was an air pocket in the line, that could definitely cause that one-time thing. Check the fluid level and if it doesn't do it again then don't worry about it. If it becomes a normal thing, your pump could be going or the rack could be wearing out.

My car did that at about 18,000 miles. Turns out that the rack & pinion was bad, had it replced under warranty. It sure is a scary feeling to have that happen.

Power Steering (Official Thread)
 

I looked over the posts, promise! I think I know what it is but want to clarify -

So I went to the store this evening, took the car instead of my Taco, and lo and behold there is a nice whine noise that is overly apparent and louder when turning while giving power, then lessens and goes away when driving straight... I asked my wife (she drives it to work since she's still learning stick) if she noticed anything different, and her reply -- "oh, I had the radio on kinda loud...." Nice...

So, thinking steering fluid is in need of a flush maybe, or the lines are gone? Or is it something more? I don't think hubs, since it is fine at speed, no humming, just when turning...

2000 Alero 3.4L, 105,000 miles

1st thing: Check the power steering fluid level, & for any leaks.


& I can't wait when it gets below -18°C/0°F outside overnight.
When you really can hear the power steering pump whine ;) lol

Update
 

OK, so I went outside this morning and got down and looked under the car -- moist with steering fluid all along the underside of the crossmember thing... SO, I apparently have a nasty leak somewhere, the reservoir was nearly bone dry -- funny how it was fine this morning on the way to work (I drove her!) and now it isn't... It was fine a few weeks ago during some tuneup stuff, but maybe I just have a slow leak? I'm supposed to drive home next Wednesday, didn't anticipate this at all... Maybe an easy fix?

Also, the hose (one of them) from the reservoir was damp (culprit?) but the underside was wet from side to side - what would that mean?

Thanks guys - any advice greatly appreciated!!