We mean it here at Trojan Auto Care. A faulty power steering pump isn’t going to take us down. Rather, we will remove the old pump that is going bad and replace it with a new pump to restore your car, truck, or utility vehicle’s power steering function. On average, the factory power steering pump is going to last about 100,000 miles. If you notice any of the following problems, it’s time to replace the pump.
Steering Protests
Your steering system is going to protest every time you turn the steering wheel if the pump is going bad. You will hear loud groaning or moaning noises. These noises will get louder as you continue to make your turn. In some cases, you may also hear squealing noises. You shouldn’t hear anything when you turn the steering wheel. If you do, head straight to our shop.
Difficulty Steering
You may also notice that it has become difficult to turn the steering wheel. It may seem as if the wheel is stiffer than normal or as if you have manual steering. This can be a sign that the pump is unable to circulate the power steering fluid through the system. It is this fluid, which is a hydraulic fluid, that makes steering your automobile as easy as it is.
Unresponsiveness
Time is of the essence with your malfunctioning steering pump. Eventually, there will come a point when your vehicle will no longer respond when you turn the steering wheel. As you can imagine, this can be extremely unnerving and dangerous, especially if you get stuck in an intersection trying to make a left turn. Don’t let the problem get this bad.
Leaking Red Fluid
Another thing you may notice is red puddles on your garage floor as you back out of the garage. This is a sign that the steering pump has started to leak the power steering fluid out of it. Unfortunately, low steering fluid can make it difficult to turn the steering wheel and navigate your automobile.
Metal in the Fluid
Check the power steering reservoir to see if your fluid is low. If it is, and you have red spots on the garage floor, the pump is leaking the steering fluid. If you see metal flakes in the power steering fluid, you need to have the power steering pump replaced as soon as possible because it is dissolving.
Trojan Auto Care in Troy, OH, is here to help, so call us today for a power steering inspection.
