Posted: 2/17/2011 7:37:24 AM EDT
|
I have a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica with the 3.5 liter engine and 102,000 miles. It developed a power steering whine that increases in pitch and volume with acceleration, but not when the wheels are turned. No fluid is or was leaking at any time. I took it to the shop a while back and was told the pump was bad and quoted $600 to replace it. I changed the pump myself, once it was bled the noise was still there. I took it to another shop and was informed that there was a filter in the reservoir that was probably plugged and causing stress on the pump. They replaced it and the noise was still there. Then they said that the pump was either bad when I got it or the plugged filter caused the pump to go bad. They replaced the pump and then informed me the noise was still there. I told them I would pick the car up. The noise was twice as bad as it was before they touched it and to add insult to injury, covers were missing and wires were dangling all over the place from them cutting the holders.  Anybody have any suggestions as to what the culprit may be. I took it to a mechanic because I didn’t want to just replace parts until I found the culprit and don’t want to pay someone $60 + an hour to do the same.  Thanks in advance for any help that is offered.  Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
| I had a 2006 Town And Country that was constantly losing power steering fluid and making grinding noises up front . In late 2009, I got a recall notice and the dealer replaced the entire rack and pinion system free. I'd check with a Chrysler dealer because The Pacifica chasis is based on the Town And Country. |
|
Quoted:
Its possible that under pressure they are collapsing. Have you looked at them while the noise was present? If someone used a hose in the past that was not made to support the pressure/suction it would easily collapse on itself under those conditions. I've been the owner since Jan 06 and it had 12,000 miles, I believe they are OEM. I have not looked at them when it was running though. Unfortunately with my neck problems I'm not going to be able to crawl around under it. I may just bite the bullet and take it to the dealer. Use them with our work vehicles, they have been honest in the past, just very expensive. I have also heard something about a pressure relief valve on the rack that can go bad. Does that sound right? Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
|
These systems are notoriously tough to bleed/prime resulting in the noise you are experiencing. I've dealt with several of these after replacing steering racks.
My method is: Turn the wheel to full lock, direction does not matter. Bring the engine up to a fast idle 1000-1200 rpm. Hold the wheel hard on the lock for one minute. Turn to the other lock and repeat. Do this 2-3 times. Check resivour and fill as nessecary. You may see the fluid foaming in the resivour, this is okay. After repeating this process 2-3 cycles they quiet down assuming there is no other problems. |