How can I tell if the power steering pump is shot. I pour about 10oz in the reservoir and still the steering is hard, very hard. So I open up the hood and see a leak on the pressure hose down by the lower fitting. I plan on replacing the hose but I am wondering if I burnt up the power steering pump. Is there a way to tell??? Smell maybe???

 

Is fluid dirty or relatively clean? Can't really tell it is bad unless it howls all the time. Rebuilt pump is not that expensive. If in doubt, I would change it out....

 

i would say if you have a leak you should probably start putting motor oil to slow the leak down until you replace it so the pump don't seize and cost you a belt. plus motor oil is cheap compared to power steering fluid.

 

If the pump is full and it's still hard to steer, pump is bad.

 

Well I removed the pressure hose and went to install the new one when I noticed the other hose (low pressure) was rusted and moved. So I stopped the install and wiggled the low pressure hose and sure enough it's rusted through and ready to fall off. So tomorrow it's back to Autozone for another hose.

 

Hey Obie!
Did replacing the hoses fix your problem?

Tom