power steering noise

Myke · **Posted:** Tue Dec 13, 2005 9:30 pm

When I am making a sharp left turn (going like 15mph) its makes a noise that sounds like its strugling even tho it doesnt feel like it on the steering wheel. It does it once in a while not all the time, but after it happens once it will continue to do it for a couple minutes but only if I turn left. It sounds as if its coming from the right wheel well area.

EDIT: Has been doing this b4 I had the lift put on too.

MikeD0106 · **Posted:** Wed Dec 14, 2005 12:11 am

Don't mean to sound like a smart @$$, but let's start with the obvious... Did you check the fluid?

Myke · **Posted:** Thu Dec 15, 2005 3:18 am

MikeD0106 · **Posted:** Thu Dec 15, 2005 3:45 am

I would check it. I haven't experienced it in the KJ yet, but my Chevy truck and car would always make noise on turns to the right as they were getting a little low on fluid. Ya never know.

itsajeepthing · **Posted:** Thu Dec 15, 2005 8:16 am

also the steering pump is notorious for being loud when its cold....

snowsport · **Joined:** Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:52 pm **Posts:** 1211

The power steering was noisy this morning when I got the Liberty going, and I checked the fluid level. Gone. I checked under the pump/reservoir and all the parts are evenly coated with (I'm guessing) power steering fluid. Any ideas how to tackle this problem? Since I refilled the reservoir and drove in town today, the level seems to be holding again, weird. Maybe it was a slow leak that I didn't catch before? Any suggestions?

MattyMac1 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 28, 2006 1:55 am

If it was all the way gone/empty you have a leak somewhere.that can kill you steering pump. I would def bring it in to get checked if your not confindent finding the main cause.

jdumont · **Posted:** Sat Jan 28, 2006 8:23 am

When I first start my car on cold mornings it makes an odd power steeringish struggle noise for about .3 seconds then nothing....

Loopkey · **Posted:** Sat Jan 28, 2006 9:58 am

I had a seal fail in my rack and pinion, the power steering fluid ended up in the boots. No sign of a leak, just sloppy steering. At the dealership they cut a little hole in one of the boots and the power steering fluid poured out. This happened almost two years ago. On Monday I am having my power steering pump replaced... at least it's still under warranty

snowsport · **Joined:** Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:52 pm **Posts:** 1211

Thanks, guys. I have searched through the service manual and read up on the power steering pump, reservoir, return hose, pressure hose, etc. and it looks very difficult (for me). I don't have a garage and it's darn cold. I'll just take it in and let the service guys at the DC dealer have a go. Keep ya posted on what they find. James.

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Sat Jan 28, 2006 12:54 pm

if it's a leak from the pump itself it is probably to late. During an offroading expedition-I cracked the resvoir...of course DCX sells the resevoir and pump as one piece...I ordered it from a distributor online for $127-the leake was slow (two weeks of driving to empty the system...Replacing the pump wasn't too hard. It took 2 or 3 bolts and 20 minutes.

snowsport · **Joined:** Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:52 pm **Posts:** 1211

I just had a thought. Doesn't the fluid flow more when the steering wheel is being turned? Maybe I could just get someone to steer while I watch to see what is leaking. Yes? I phoned DC but the service dept. is closed on weekends. Maybe I will have a bash at it and see what's what. If it's a bum hose, I'll have to wait to get a new one. But at least I can take another look, yeah?

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Sat Jan 28, 2006 1:24 pm

go for it-you got nothing to loose. The pump housiing is really simple to replace and I hate to see somebody toss money away on a mechanic when its a simple easy to get at fix like a pump housing. If it is the housing-I can give you the advice to replace it... PM me if you need help.

USAFCOP · **Posted:** Sat Jan 28, 2006 3:59 pm

If you do it your self, take pics and post it as a tech thread!!!

A lot of us are out of warranty and we can not afford to hire a mechanic or we just don't trust others to work on our vehicles. I know I am bad about doing things, and then thinking about I shoulda taken pics, and written it up.

This place is a great source of info. a lot of us have service manuals, but many don't, so if we all remember to help each other out ( I know, I am bad about taking pics of jobs) we can continue to learn from each other and about the mechanics of our little babies... I mean Jeeps.

I know I will have to replace my rack soon, but it is not leaking bad yet... I need to look into it, if I can just rebuild the seal where the stearing wheel joint enters the top of the rack and pinion with out removing it that would be awesome, but I think I will need to remove it, not looking forward to it, but either way, I will try to remember to take pics and write it up.

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Sun Jan 29, 2006 5:32 am

I gotta start taking pics :oops:

I could have totally been more of a help to snowsport... but if he or anybody else has a question I have done and I can help you with it. I have the 3.7 and the pump is the same on all 3.7's...

power steering noise

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