bgsm1th

SO, my power-steering has been a little suspect the last 2-3 months in that it has been loud when turning...like obnoxiously loud...kinda whiney.
Anyway, it only dripped a little Power-Steering fluid for a couple of days when the noise started, but stopped dripping after a day or two, so I didn't think much of it.

On my way home today, all of the sudden, my steering wheel is almost impossible to turn. I get home to find out that steering fluid is everywhere under the left side of my engine bay, and there is barely anything left in the resivoir. All hoses seem to be properly affixed and I see no lacerations in the lines, but obviously something is amiss. Any ideas as to what it could be?

My dealer told me I should replace the whole steering set-up last November without giving me a very concrete reason why...obviously, I opted not to have it replaced.

I'm taking it to my mechanic tomorrow, but I am wondering, is it okay for me to drive my car in this state (little or no power-steering fluid), or do I risk damaging the steering system further if I drive it the 40 miles necessary to my mechanic?

Thanks in advance for your help!

B

bigwillcl

Sieze up your power steering pump and yes you have lots of problems! fill it back up and have someone turn the wheel while you look for the leak. i wouldn't drive 40 miles with it acting like that

bgsm1th

Alright, I need a new power-steering pump...$620 JUST FOR THE PUMP!
For the love of God, does anyone know where I can buy it for less than that?

Thanks.

fsttyms1

The pump should be alot less than that. (like 250.00 ish new)
http://www.acuraautomotiveparts.org/...catdisplay.jsp

The rack may be that much.

bgsm1th

Thanks for the link! I've been looking for that...
Looks like it'll be around $275, $245 for a refurb, but I think I'll stick with the new one...

...now, how hard are they to replace by myself?

bgsm1th

Okay, Next question...

I found a power-steering pump off a 99 TL at a local salvage yard for only $60.
Will that power-steering pump fit in 01 CL-S? Does anyone know the part #'s?

bgsm1th

*EDIT*: After looking at a couple of different OEM parts sites, it appears that it is the same part #. Can anyone confirm?

fsttyms1

Yes, same part # 56110-P8E-A01

They are pretty easy to replace. The hardest part is the littel nut under it for fastening it. Not hard just pesky.

bgsm1th

Sweet! Looks like I have a little DIY auto project this weekend.

Thanks for your help!

bgsm1th

Alright, after not driving the car much for two weeks and being too cheap to take it into my mechanic, I'm going to change this bitch myself.

Does anyone have the proper process documented? The only thing I've ever done under the hood of a car besides change my own oil is install my CAI, and even that took me way longer than it should have.

I'm assuming I need to bleed the system, but how?
I'm assuming there is a tensioner for the belt on the pump, but how do I loosen it?

I don't have the Helm's manual or anything.

fsttyms1

To properly bleed it you should have some one help you. Take off the lower hose to the PS res and stick it into a container to empty the ps res. If its big enough, have some one start the car and turn the wheel slowly to the right and left to expel the old fluid into your container. when empty shut off motor and reattach hose.

To remove the PS pump, take off the engine cover, have a rag handy just for any dripping fluid and remove the hose and move to the side. Then remove the 2 10mm bolts and loft the high pressure side hose from the pump and move to the side. (take mental note of how tight the belt is) then back off the tension nut on the pump(you can see the tensioner on the side cut out of the engine cover). then remove the lower nut holding the pump on and then the rear nut.
Reverse to install. Then fill the PS Reservoir back up start the car and slowly turn the wheel lock to lock to expel any air and get the fluid back in its system filling as necessary