ticking steering pump

[Kneale Brownson]

The inside of the pump has a shaft that rides in several bushings, I 
believe.  I think the shaft has a cam on the front end that operates 
pistons to pump up the pressure for  the brakes booster and accumulator.  I 
think the rear end of the shaft has an impeller that churns up the 
hydraulic fluid to power the steering assistance.

I'd start saving for a replacement pump.  I'd also  install a magnet in the 
reservoir filter basket to see if you're getting any bits of metal out of 
the pump.  If you are, I'd replace the pump.


At 05:09 AM 01/13/2001 +0000, Stephen Ankney wrote:

>Listers,
>power steering pump on my 88 5k has gotten fairly noisy. Sounds like a 
>ticking/rattling sound. Does'nt appear to be coming from the pulley, but 
>more from within the pump itself. If I turn the wheel either way it sounds 
>as if there is a pissed off bumble bee inside there. Its been suggested 
>that perhaps some of the seals/valves(?) inside the pump are slightly 
>unseated and are causing the Bumble bee sound. Is that a possibility? The 
>pump is not leaking and the steering feels fine...
>
>To make things clearer...the "bumble bee" sound has been there for over a 
>year...while the ticking/rattling sound has appeared over the last 3 
>months or so...just wanted to make sure that it was understood that the 
>two noises are seperate entitys...
>
>Are these just the usual signs/sounds of a bad pump? I hear that generally 
>the pumps don't go bad they just like to leak and need resealing...but 
>this sounds like something is not right. Is there any mechanical parts 
>inside the pump that could be causing any of this? Like a bearing or 
>something of the sort...and would it be repairable? Thanks for any advice...
>
>Steve Ankney
>88 5000s
>Holland, Michigan
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