YACT: 96 Civic Power Stearing Squeeks, Feels tight

[tnitsuj]

My 96 Civic with 135k on it has started squeaking when you turn the wheel, and feels much tighter than it used to. Any ideas in what to check/do first?

 

[Viperoni]

How about checking the power steering fluid, just like when you'd check the windshield washer fluid if it stopped squirting?

 

[Howard]

You recently get into a fender bender?

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

As above, check fluid level. Replace the most probably slipping power steering pump drive belt. Do not just tighten it, replace it. I bet its hard and polished smooth on its friction surface.

:sun:

 

[tnitsuj]

Fluid level is way too high in the resevoir. It is past the high mark. I am going to bleed it and change the fluid today.

The power steering belt looks fine, I think the problem is unrelated to the Power steering. Noise seems to be coming from the actual steering wheel. It is inside the cabin. Is there a bearing in the steering column or something that needs to be lubricated?

 

[Quixfire]

Have you checked you tie rods or ball joints for binding or stiffness, which could be causing your power steering pump to work harder?

 

[tnitsuj]

I should have posted this earlier. I took of the steering column housing and lubricated the linkage between the steering wheel and shaft with silicone spray. That removed the squeek.

The steering is still damn stiff though, very little boost. I am going to try doing a bleed and refill on the power steering to see if that improves the feel. Whoever filled it before probably used non-Honda PS fluid in the thing and put too much in to boot.

 

Replace the rack and the power steering pump along with the power steering lines.

 

[tnitsuj]

Originally posted by: Roger
Replace the rack and the power steering pump along with the power steering lines.

Dohhh...that sounds like a lot of work.

I already have to replace the oil pan this week on that car, and I have at last 1 bad motor mount.

Honda Dealer wants $450 to replace the oil pan, I didn't even ask about the motor mount.

It is going to be me, my garage, the helms manual, and a lot of elbow grease to fix all this in the next two weeks.

 

You can try flushing the system out first, here's what you do ;

1)Jack up vehicle, use jack stands.

2)With a drain pan handy, carefully disconnect one of the power steering hoses at the steering rack, let it drain for a good hour.

3)Reconnect the hose, use a new "O" ring.

4)Refill with Power steering fluid or it's equivelent.

5)Start vehicle with the wheels off the ground, rotate steering wheel lock to lock until all the air is purged, recheck fluid level.

6)Drive vehicle for 25 miles, repeat procedure.

This may fix your problem

 

[tnitsuj]

Originally posted by: Roger
You can try flushing the system out first, here's what you do ;

1)Jack up vehicle, use jack stands.

2)With a drain pan handy, carefully disconnect one of the power steering hoses at the steering rack, let it drain for a good hour.

3)Reconnect the hose, use a new "O" ring.

4)Refill with Power steering fluid or it's equivelent.

5)Start vehicle with the wheels off the ground, rotate steering wheel lock to lock until all the air is purged, recheck fluid level.

6)Drive vehicle for 25 miles, repeat procedure.

This may fix your problem

Roger, you are my hero.

 

[KokomoGST]

Bad motor mount and needs a new oil pan? Those are easy to fix generally if there's not to much crud in the way.

A cheapo fix for motor mounts for the lazy and a decent upgrade for those making enough torque for wheel hop...
Repair & fill the motor mount with window urethane. I guess it depends on how bad your mounts are worn but it was a quick fix for me since my front mount was only worn and not broken.

 

[tnitsuj]

Originally posted by: KokomoGST
Bad motor mount and needs a new oil pan? Those are easy to fix generally if there's not to much crud in the way.

A cheapo fix for motor mounts for the lazy and a decent upgrade for those making enough torque for wheel hop...
Repair & fill the motor mount with window urethane. I guess it depends on how bad your mounts are worn but it was a quick fix for me since my front mount was only worn and not broken.

Well, the new motor mounts (Honda OEM) are only like 60 dollars so I am just going to swap it out. I have never jacked up the engine before, so I am a little worried abou actually doing it.