Power Steering pump noise

[HeavyToy]

I have just started experiencing a whining noise from my power steering pump, which translates a vibration up through my steering wheel, when the engine is under load or turning sharply. I was told that is could be a dirty filter. The hours just turned 200 so it is time for the 50 hr service, is the power steering fluid something that needs to be replaced like the hydraulic fluids or just topped off? Are the fluid replacements something that can be done with standard tools? Are there any online shop or maintenance diagrams available?

Any help appreciated

 

[JerryG]

<font color="blue"> The hours just turned 200 so it is time for the 50 hr service </font> <font color="red">??? </font>

 

[HeavyToy]

I am of the understanding that the fluids should be changed every 50 hours of run time. I am making the assumption that the previous owner subscribed to that rule-of-thumb and thus 200 hrs would be a milestone for service. Is this correct information?

 

[JerryG]

Honestly you can never tell what the previous owner did or didn't do. It is always best to change everything when any used equipment is purchased. The oil and filter would be the best place to start. If he hadn't change it as he should have, then there might be trash causing a blockage.

 

[HeavyToy]

Thank you for your reply. One concern that I have is that in the research that I just performed, the schedule for power steering oil change is every 600 hours. How can my system get dirty enough, in 200 hrs, to cause the inclusion of the power steering filter?

I have the usual compliment of home shop tools, will that be sufficient to perform the fluid changes or is there a bleeding process that requires more than one set of hands or specialized tools? (do not yet have shop manuals)

 

[dqdave1]

My power system will whine if it is cold; did you just have a temp. change as winter is nearing and night temps are dropping. . Mine will work fine after it is warmed up. My TC 29d has a resavoir/filter combo unit. I changed it at 600 hours and dealer said was one of the first units to be changed as most owners balk at price of the filter. Unless it had been in EXTREME dusty conditions and it has a bad seal to let dirt in ; it is unlikely contaminated fluid. I did once bend the slave cylinder of power steering unit and it became very hard to turn to the right as rod was bent and it bound up as it reached full right. Dealer found stop bolt had loosened and was lost letting the cylinder go too far causing the bend.

 

[JerryG]

If it is a trash problem, it would more than likely be from the machining process. Every once in a while there will be cuttings and such show up on the screens. If there is ever a large amount on the filter it is a cause for concern, because it could be a precursor to a parts failure.
If you have the tools to change the oil in your auto, then you probably have the needed tools for your fluid change. You might need a larger filter wrench, but that would be it.

 

[HeavyToy]

After reviewing the posts here and in other forums regarding the power steering noise, as well as the maintanence schedule, it sounds as if power steering/hydraulic noise is common in cold weather. Why is that? Why do automobiles not react to temperature change that way? What is happening mechanically and fluid dynamically to cause noise?

Any insight would be appreciated.