I have a '95 SE that is having steering problems. On cold mornings when I first start up, the steering jutters and the power steering pump squeels until I do a full lock turn to the left and right. This only happen when I turn the steering wweel to get out of the parking space. I have checked the punp for leaks found none, and the fluid level is full. It only happens on cold mornings or cold afternoons when the car has been sitting for at least 7 hours. I have always parked with the wheels straight as to not damage the steering punp. Any suggestions?

Lovejoy

 

Change the power steering belt. Sounds like it's slipping. When you turn the wheel back and forth, lock to lock, you put a load on the pump and belt, making it squeal more, causing heat, thus making the belt a bit sticker (just like warm tires) and it doesn't slip as much after that, hance your problem seems to go away.... Make sense? or am I way off track? Hopefully thats whats donig it, otherwise a rack or pump is going to be $$$$$$$$$$$$.

 

I would start by changing the power steering fluid. The easy way to do this is to suck as much of the fluid out of the resevoir, refill it, drive the car for a while and then repeat. The reason for doing this is that the PS fluid picks up crud and contaminants over time. Refill with either a synthetic, or synthetic blend AFT (Valvoline Maxlife ATF is also good). These ATF's won't thicken up as much when it gets cold. Also make sure the belt for the SP pump is properly adjusted.

 

When this behavior started happening when I pulled my car out of the parking stall just as you describe at the end of the day I worried that it might be the steering rack.

I went to the dealer and had the power steering belt changed and it stopped making the noise. Done Deal.

I also use a turkey baster to remove power steering fluid from the reservoir and fill it with fresh periodically, but I have never completely drained the power steering fluid and refilled it, but I have thought about it.

Our Nissan dealer had a 70.00 flush and fill machine at one time, but they told me that they stopped offering the service because they weren't sure of the value of the task in the long run. Who Knows?

Does anyone know the best approach for a DYI-Flush of the Power Steering Fluid?

I may go the synthetic route next time. So far I have just refilled it with Castrol Dexron III/Mercon.

White96MaxSE

 

try heating up the car.......

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I didi the flush and fill this summer to try and nip it in the bud, but it raised it's ugly head anyway. I will see about getting the belt replaced.

Lovejoy