Metal In Power Steering Fluid? WTH?

[SHO_ROLLER_2]

I just changed out my PS pump about 3-4 weeks ago but just the other day I noticed a leak.

I tracked it to the return line (didn't have it on well enough) but noticed my fluid was gray and murky.

I put my fingers in it and saw very fine metal shavings or what looks like metal shavings.

The pump doesn't make any noise (well, more than usual) and the steering seems to work fine. I saw a post about it maybe being the rack, but I was wondering if it might just be from using a reman A-1 pump.


Thanks!

 

[sperold]

What fluid did you install after the changeover?

 

[SHO_ROLLER_2]

Just regular PS fluid.

 

[pitaSHO]

Use Dex/Merc ATX tranny fluid.

Chris K.

 

[SHO_ROLLER_2]

Use Dex/Merc ATX tranny fluid.

Chris K.

Think it'll be OK for a few more days before I flush it?

 

[sperold]

The system likes the tranny fluid. I would scoop out as much as you can today and fill it with the tranny fluid, then do a better change when you can. It is more to do with the rubber components in the system than lubrication, so who knows what the filings are about. Maybe the grey murky colour is a result of the two fluids mixing that aren't really compatable.

 

[LeddZepp8687]

Cardone Reman P/S pumps are just okay, We have our fair share of defective units at work but more often than not, if it is defective you will know right away....

I too would flush it, and if you see it at the parts store cardone offers an inline power steering filter that you install into your return hose.. Maybe you can try to filter out metal shavings to prevent further wear/contamination...

 

[SHOZ123]

Get an inline filter.

http://www.bulkpart.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=2&Category_Code=inline-filter

 

[SHO_ROLLER_2]

I got about a QT of fluid out of the system the other day and replaced it with tranny fluid.

I'll get a filter next!

Thanks for all the help!

 

[FOMOCOTOSHO]

I would not recommend installing an inline filter. They often get plugged if you don't remember to change them like a regular oil or fuel filter & then they build pressure & blow off the line.

I would bet your rack & pinion gears are grinding, causing the metal shavings to get in the line. That's what my '95 is doing right now. I first noticed a little bit of a clunk when yanking the wheel back & forth quickly at slow speeds & traced the clunk to inside the rack. I flushed the p/s system a while back ago and noticed the metal shavings in mine shortly after as well. I already had a new pump installed so I diagnosed it as coming from the rack & pinion. For now my rack is still working fine and not leaking externally so I'm going to live with it until it becomes a bigger problem and just keep flushing out the fluid every so often as needed.

 

[SHOtime2511]

Just change it every so 20K or so.

 

[SHOZ123]

The Magnefines go into a bypass when they get clogged.

 

[JRA2000TL]

How difficult was it to change the pump? I need one and I have a leak near the p/s cooler.

 

[somedude_001]

my turbo car kept turning the ps oil grey every couple of months. I must have changed it ten times. it would be nice bright red for a couple months then back to glittering grey. never caused a problem but I imagine the rack gears are beginning to wear. had the car for a long time and it never ended up causing a issue.

 

[shoon]

How difficult was it to change the pump? I need one and I have a leak near the p/s cooler.

unequivocally one of the most ***est parts to change with engine & subframe in car.

 

[JRA2000TL]

unequivocally one of the most ***est parts to change with engine & subframe in car.

Will be taking mine to a shop then. Took me 3 hours to install a starter I'm embarrassed to say b/c the bolts were hard to get to, even with the right tools. Plus I kept wedging it in there and taking it back out b/c I couldn't get that small 10mm bolt on (hard to reach). Tried installing it with the wire connected (didn't work), then pulled it off, reseated the starter and then connected the wire with the 10mm bolt. I'm still learning to be a mechanic.

 

[jmpSHO]

Will be taking mine to a shop then. Took me 3 hours to install a starter I'm embarrassed to say b/c the bolts were hard to get to, even with the right tools. Plus I kept wedging it in there and taking it back out b/c I couldn't get that small 10mm bolt on (hard to reach). Tried installing it with the wire connected (didn't work), then pulled it off, reseated the starter and then connected the wire with the 10mm bolt. I'm still learning to be a mechanic.

It's not as hard as people say it is. I say go for it and if you can't do it then send it some where.