i have a 1998 dodge avenger sport! well my power steering makes like a grinding noise! so i bought a new one and it still continued to do the same thing! my steering is rough! and i check to see if any lines were plugged but nothing seems to work. so i added more power steering fluid and my steering got better but the noise got louder! can someone please help me!

 

Describe the noise more. Does it continue to grind even after the steering wheel reaches the end of it's radius? Does it do it only while driving or at park? Etc....

..and welcome to DF.

 

well i checked all the lines and i added more power steering fluid and it still continued! the noise got even louder ...as i turn the steering wheel it hums really bad! and it sounds like grinding in the wheels as well.. the noise is like a grinding noise when im driving and as im parked. as i give it gas it whines a little.! so i i know its the power steering pump but i have no idea where to go from there!

 

well the noise is still there !! man i thought if i gave it a couple of days it would go away but nope.. but check this out! when the power steering pump is low on power steering its pretty quiet! but the steering is hard! ....so i added power steering fluid and thats when it started to make a lot of noise!! my steering got better but it makes a lot of noise! the power steering pump makes like a griding noise and when i turn the steering wheel ...it makes the common noise it would make when its low on power steering fluid! so i dont know what to look for..i changed the powersteering pump but nothing..the lines are secure and they dont seemed to be clogged.. so what could it be?? plz help me

 

Loosen the power steering from the bracket and try to move the pulley back and forth, rotate it by hand. Then put the belt back on and make sure that it's tight, but not too tight, just follow the manual on how to tighten the belt.
To me it sounds like the power steering bearings are going out or are out, but it's hard to tell from here.

 

well you sound pretty sure bout that so im gonna take your advice.. but do i have to buy a new power steering pump?? i mean theyre pretty expensive! or would i be able to replace the bearings?? and if i do have to buy a power steering pump you wouldnt happen to know any body who slaes them pretty cheap? thanks for everything

bobby ambriz

 

nope afraid not bud.....ur gonna have to replace it if the bearings r blown outv it........i dont trust junkyard parts just for the fact all the avengers in them have high miles and prolly still have the factory pump in them.......autozone prices them for between 95-118

 

Yeah, buying parts like that only help move the replacement date to later on down the road. You can use a junkyarded one though, until you save up enough to buy a new one. I also suggest getting them online as opposed to Autozone or from the Stealership.

 

hey, well thanks for everything!! but check this out... my steering got a little worse so i decided put some power steering fluid while the car was on! it started making a weird loud noise.. but then it stopped...and i noticed thatthe pump was sucking it down so i kept adding more and now my power steering is awesome!!! whats up with that???

bobby ambriz

 

Sounds like you were bone dry. Keep an eye on the fluid level. I don't know how or where the fluid went, but keep an eye on it and constantly check for any leaks under the car. Turn you wheel from one lock to the other to see if turning it all the way causes it.