Eenis

I had my power steering hose replaced a few days ago, and now I have the low-pitched humming sound that you get when turning the wheel w/ a low PS fluid level. I wasn't getting this before the hose change, and don't see how this could start over last 2 days. Is it possible that the wrong fluid could cause this? Short of sudden pump/rack failure, I have no other ideas.

Oh...and I'd take it back to the mechanic, but getting an appointment w/ him is a challenge.

rroderiques77

iTrader: (45)

Step one: bleed system
Step two: replace pump or live with noise

Nelsito65

Did you get the OEM hose or an aftermarket one? There has been numerous reports, including mine recently, of people getting that humming (or buzzing) after an aftermarket replacement.

Eenis

it's an aftermarket piece...don't know where from though. I presume you got an OEM hose and the noise went away?

Nelsito65

I've got an aftermarket one and the noise is still there. Some people say they hear it at low idle and it goes away at higher speed. I think the noise is always there, but at higher speed you can't hear it because it is drowned by other noises (wind, engine, etc.)

kbohip

I replaced mine with an Edlemann hose and immediately got the whining afterwards. I think in my case though it was my fault as I didn't follow the proper bleed procedure, that is fill the ps res., turn the wheels back and forth a few times BEFORE starting the car. I simply filled the res. and started the car. I think I killed the bearing in the pump by doing this. I'll put up with the whine until the pump dies. It's been about 10k miles since I changed the hose and the pump sounds no worse. For a ton more info, see this thread:

http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...hose-02-a.html

boris

kbohip, this makes much sense, however it's hard to believe they don't know it in the specialized shops (but who knows LOL). Interesting, some guy on the Nissanhelp forum reports, he replaced the pump twice without any positive effect; the noise remains here: http://x.nissanhelp.com/forums/maxim...ing-whine.html

Nelsito65

I did follow that bleed procedure (someone called dead/live bleed) and still got the humming.

kbohip

Well, that makes me feel better anyway knowing that it probably wasn't something I did. One thing I've noticed with the noise on mine. It gets louder (unsurprisingly) when using the steering more like in parking lots, etc. It quiets down though when driving straight for a while. I really hate the sound as it make my Max sound like an old Ford Fiarmont. I'd love to fix this but after reading the thread over at that other forum it's obvious a new pump won't help. This is a strange problem. Here's a video I took from inside my engine compartment while driving my car. I originally took it to diagnose bad motor mounts but you can easily hear the ps pump whining away in it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wUOgvY_774

Notice how it's quiet as I'm driving straight down a road but then makes a ton of noise when I pull into the parking lot at about 1 minute into the video. Also note how loud the whine is after the parking lot. It quiets down the longer I drive straight.

blueridge

wow, once again, timely information from the org as I have to do this hose on the 2000.
347,xxx miles.

So apparently get the OEM hose kit, let my mechanic do it and take a copy of above bleed procedure with me sounds like the way to go.