Power Steering Failure

[3800_cruiser]

First Post here, Just bought a 1989 SHO 3.0 MTX. I am very impressed by the resources and projects people have going in this community. Have wanted one of these cars for a long time.

Had it for about 2 weeks and I noticed it's had a small power steering leak. From my searching this could be related to a seal or hose somewhere.

Today I lost powersteering completely, my reservoir is full of fluid but it does not look to be circulating when the engine is running.

After failure, the powersteering fluid bubbled out through the reservoir cap.

The wheel is hard to turn to the right or left and there's a "squeal" and "groan" when I muscle the wheel to make a turn.

The power steering quit 2 days ago when I parked the car and made a sharp turn. I saw some belt smoke and walked away for several hours to think about it before trying to drive the car again. When I returned and started the car, the power steering was operational again.

I'm no expert on power steering, but could someone tell me if I have a pump or rack failure, and how to diagnose it properly? Is it possible there could be a big air bubble trapped in the system somewhere? PLEASE HELP!:thankyou:

 

[sperold]

The return line to the resevoir sees no real pressure. It it the one that looks like a rubber hose rather than a moulded, armoured hose. You could have someone look at that hose (maybe even take it off while simultaneously stopping the resevoir from draining) when you start it up and move the wheel.
If the pump isn't working, nothing will return.

 

[TopGunnYFZ]

Id look at the pump first, or if you get it running look at the pulley see if its running true.

 

[ShadetreeSHOguy]

I'd put money on the pump being bad. Kind of a pain to replace in the car.

 

[zblackbeast]

^^ I'm with him

 

[3800_cruiser]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. I will pull the hoses sometime this weekend and try to run some fresh ATF through it. I talked to a mechanic friend who thinks it's the pump too. I'm hoping I can find one in the junkyard this weekend. At least we have a spare car to drive right now.

 

[ShadetreeSHOguy]

pm sent

 

[3800_cruiser]

pm sent

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