Power steering hissing

[sagebel]

This truck is really starting to test me this holiday season. Still have the mystery vibration/shudder. Water pump is leaking, tensioner is whining and on the way to the parts store the power steering was making a hissing sound. Is this hissing a sign that I need a new PS pump? Are there any specail tools needed to do the job?

Scott

 

[JRJ04]

hows the fluid look?

 

[sagebel]

hows the fluid look?

Fluid level and color are fine.

 

[drmjf]

How's the fluid level? If it's low you have a air in the system. It requires that a vacuum of about 2-3 inches be placed on the power steering pump, to remove the air in the system. You need to let the truck idle while keeping the vacuum. It takes about 5-10 minutes. Hope this helps.

 

[JLDickmon]

was it hissing or moaning?
a hiss would be fluid running through the pressure relief valve in the pump.. may or may not indicate problems..
a moan would be air in the system, or fluid cavitation in the pump..

speaking of hissing & moaning..
here's a video for ya..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3TFm5Epiww

 

[sagebel]

Hissing. Normally heard at full lock. Now heard whenever the wheel is turned, even at high idle (1250 rpm).

 

[BIG JOE]

Hissing. Normally heard at full lock. Now heard whenever the wheel is turned, even at high idle (1250 rpm).

Kinda sounds like a PS pump going South, but you might try a product called..Trans-X.

Draw some of the fluid out, top the pump off with the Trans-X.. drive it.

I've had good luck with it.. but no gaurontees..

Definitely worth a shot though.

Joe

Available at AutoZone and the like ?

 

[sagebel]

I picked up a new pump and tensioner yesterday. Planning on replacing water pump, PS pump, tensioner on Saturday.

Maybe I should replace the harmonic balancer since it is the only original part left on the front of the engine.

With the move back to Washington coming, I am ok with this stuff. At 205000 miles I can't complain.

 

[JLDickmon]

Hissing. Normally heard at full lock. Now heard whenever the wheel is turned, even at high idle (1250 rpm).

that's actually normal.
don't worry about it.

 

[Bad Night]

My truck does that sometimes , always if I crank the wheel all the way but sometimes on just minor turns , usually when I'm rolling slow . I just figured it's due to the weight of the motor on the front end and the "grab of the tires " on whatever surface I'm on at the time . Every PSD I've owned has done it .