I posted a similar thread in the fluids section, but I thought I'd post here too since its not just a fluid question anymore. As some of you already know, I just recently replaced my power steering rack and pinion and pump etc etc... anyways I'm still experiencing some whining. Now a mechanic told me today that my axel front and left needs to be replaced because it is making clicking noises. Would that be the cause of my pump and rack making noise even though they are freshlyreplaced? could it be that they are getting too much stress from a worn out or broken axel? I really don't know much of what I'm talking about since I dont actually do the work myself. Alls I know is, my idle is pretty damn good with the AC off, with the AC on its al ittle rougher but it seems to be ok. Moving my steering wheel is what causes my rpms to drop... could that be from the axel? wow do I feel like I'm in a helpless pit.

 

I was 18 and in that helpless pit. Then one shop destroyed my steering with criminal neglect, was lucky to stay alive... Then I decided I can ruin my car for FREE. Bought basic tools and started doing that. Nowadays, most often succeed after first spoiling about everythin...

So that pit is only in your mind: jump outt from tHere. Net is full of info, educate uself.

Axles deliver pwr to wheels. Steering keeps the wheels on the road = separate entities - physically connected.

Idle drops when pwr is taken from engine, like for POWER steering. = IF idle assy etc are NOT in shape. Correct the problems, DIY. Info is readily available,
Some can be seen here...↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓

 

i would assume with the steering wheel moving and your rpms drop, that thats your power steering. it uses power causing it to drop. get your alty and battery tested for free at autozone or somewhere. maybe thats it. worth a shot.

 

alternater and battery have already been replaced (went out on me when i first got the car lol)

 

I'm not so much concerned about the idle dropping as I am a new power steering rack, pinion and pump (one of them), making a whining noise. I was linking it up to the idle dropping while I was steering thinking that maybe the axle was putting more pressure on them then they could handle? I don't know... I guess I'll have to just replace the bad things til problems start correcting themselves. I can't work on anything myself until I move into a new house, all my tools are in storage until we're done moving.

Wiking: thanks for the encouragement and help. You're right, the worse I can do is break my car... I can always replace the part that I break. I'll have to start up on that once I move into my new home. So you say someone broke your steering with criminal intentions? whats that all about if you don't mind me asking.

 

axle and ps pump are 2 separate components.
the pump might have some air trapped in it causing the whine. it's also possible that the pump is defective. check the fluid level and make sure it's red in color..(ATF). idle drop when moving the wheel is normal. just extra strain on the motor.

 

ok, after looking really hard by myself, I noticed that the whine is even there at idle... just a bit harder to hear. How do you find out if there is air trapped in the pump? The power steering fluid is red in color, but I'm not sure how to check if air is trapped. I think its either the air trapped or something is defective... which is why im so worried

 

Dont worry, Be happy: The days of Your Pump were numbered already -92. So is your engine... the only warranted issue is the death - to the car&driver. Question here in time is only the timing.

If the noise is not rippin u ears, drive as long as pump works. When it stops functionin, replace.

Replace belt and tighten.

 

he said that he just had the pump replaced..no?

 

since I couldn't work on the pump (too complicated), I thought I would try and address the idle problem on my own. I replaced the three front fuel injectors to see if that would help the idle at all (yes my car has many problems), it really didnt do much for me. the idle mostly stays steady, and the car feels strong, but when its dropping rpms it drops lower than idle then comes back up again. if you engage the gas pedal ever so slightly the rpm will drop then start going up. it's rather weird. anyways I appreciate the help guys, if I learned anything, this morning, I can do stuff on my own. Then again, the right tools would always help.

2 fuel injectors were mortally wounded and one thumb was severed in my morning adventure.

 

Sorry my doomed head, did not get that. Kids jumping on me...

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kiyakerz ..." whats that all about if you don't mind me asking.

I was then some decades ago 18 with a 'new' Morris Mini. Had play in steering rack, bought a plastic bushing ring on pass side end. Went to a sHop and asked the guy to replace it. Afternoon picked it up, paid. Asked for the 'ol bushing. "...just been cleaning, threw it away" he said. I just wondered which spot he cleaned, did not see one clean spot. Well, mini passed exam. Later next day steering wheel lost contact on front wheel: steering wheel was limp, broken loose. I managed to drive from the nowhere to a small town for repairs: all broken. The guy had NOT installed the bushing, instead placed shims directly under steering wheel axle. That tightened the assembly - and broke all bearings loose into the steering assy... nice crunching noise.

After this, my mini was 1/3 more expensive, and I thought to myself: I'll do that all shoddy work myself after this. And believe me, lots of destroyed equipment hidden behind my back... Nowadays I am pretty confident that I can break any thing in this world, lol.

And whats this to do with maxima forum? I wouldnt be typing here at all with bloody knuckles - without this Mini-misery -to- Maximi-Zed lifestory...