Possible Power Steering Pump failure?

[DannyRandomState]

Yesterday it was raining around these parts, and I was out and about in it. Today as I was heading out for work I heard this metalic noise from under the hood. It sounds like a cross between a ford PS pump and a hellacious vacuum leak, yet there is no physical signs of one. I figured maybe the alternator got wet and this was the result. I get home tonight and crawled under the front passenger corner, and it sounds like the bearings in the PS pump might be trashed? The resivoir is full also. The noise isn't really effected by RPM's. It seems to be a constant level throughout the normal driving range. I have a bentley and have thumb through the R&R of the PS pump. My question is has anyone had the joy of replacing one? What am I up against? It doesn't appear to be a menacing job.

[Smileybug]

Hmmm. I dunno. My bf's power steering pump went out on his '95 Passat and he couldn't even drive his car. He started it up and went to move out of a parking lot, got 3 feet and the car just quit. Then couldn't turn the wheel at all. Turns out it was the pump. Now I don't know how they behave when they break in these cars, but thats what happened with his when his died.

[silvervdub]

It is a cake job. Mine was leaking at the joint from the time i jacked the car up to the test drive it was less than an hour.


later
silverdub

[zeroelus]

When the cardbord/plastic "skid plates" that go under the nose of the car fell off my bug, it was real easy to get water in the engine's belt, and after running through some water, it would inmmediatly start squealing, the battery light would come on and I'd loose power steering. In my case I just shut off the AC and the car would sort itself out. After driving a while, the belt would dry itself and all was perfect. Maybe some water got in and screwed it or caused the bearings to jam, and it proceded to get more damaged?

Good luck with your repair.

[DannyRandomState]

Thanks for the info!

I'm now hesitant to say it's the PS pump. I'm thinking maybe the bearings are thrashed on the alternator. there is no stifness in the steering and it doesn't make any more noise than when I got it (the steering). I'm gonna price out some alternators online and locally hopefully this little problem won't drain the account.

[Smileybug]

You should be able to remove the alternator and check it (although not sure how easy it is to get to in the NBs). The bf thought he might have had a bad alternator in his Honda. Took it out, checked the bushings and all. Found it was fine. (yes, he's had to touch just about every component on his cars...fixed most everything on his stupid Passat!)

[DannyRandomState]

I checked out my tensioner and thought it might be that.........



NOPE! I'm certain it's the alternator! DANG! 200 bucks! Here we go!