no more power steering

AquaPython · 06-10-2009, 10:55 AM

took a shit on me yesterday.
makes a wierd noise. slower speeds , turns are half-powered, to not at all, with a struggling, thumping noise / feel

i am not so mechanically inclined and did not know about changing out or flushing the power steering fluid. for all i know, unless this was done at some point during a service, this is the original fluid at about 105k.
it is a dark orange.
it was also at the low level. so i went topped it off with new , clear yellow p.s. fluid. it did make a difference. but it is still not great. do i have to flush it out, and replace with brand new? if, so how?

this is a '99 altima.

tommymac · 06-10-2009, 11:00 AM

May be better off replacing the pump. Not sure about new but you can get one at a junk yard prety cheap, and will need to rent or obtain a pulley removal tool as well.

Tom

pauldun170 · 06-10-2009, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AquaPython

took a shit on me yesterday.
makes a wierd noise. slower speeds , turns are half-powered, to not at all, with a struggling, thumping noise / feel

i am not so mechanically inclined and did not know about changing out or flushing the power steering fluid. for all i know, unless this was done at some point during a service, this is the original fluid at about 105k.
it is a dark orange.
it was also at the low level. so i went topped it off with new , clear yellow p.s. fluid. it did make a difference. but it is still not great. do i have to flush it out, and replace with brand new? if, so how?

this is a '99 altima.

Hit a junkyard or even reconditioned from an auto supply place.

Not sure on how tight it is in the engine bay of a 99 Altima but to replace a power steering pump isn't really a big job. Just an annoying one (tight access, 3-4 bolts total to loosen up and it's always that last one that either doesn't budge or you discover at the last minute that you only have space to turn the wrench one micrometer at a time.

some videos
http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to/vi...g-pump-169473/

http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to/vi...series-263181/

tommymac · 06-10-2009, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pauldun170

Hit a junkyard or even reconditioned from an auto supply place.

Not sure on how tight it is in the engine bay of a 99 Altima but to replace a power steering pump isn't really a big job. Just an annoying one (tight access, 3-4 bolts total to loosen up and it's always that last one that either doesn't budge or you discover at the last minute that you only have space to turn the wrench one micrometer at a time.

I remember that from my camaro, plenty of room under the hood but the hose going into the back was a pita to get to.

Tom

AquaPython · 06-10-2009, 11:28 AM

damn that autozone prick makes it look easy.

i was told it was not on the serpentine belt, that video shows it is?

pauldun170 · 06-10-2009, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AquaPython

damn that autozone prick makes it look easy.

i was told it was not on the serpentine belt, that video shows it is?

from http://in.answers.yahoo.com/question...2175804AADlBDo

"only two ways it can go! one wrong turns the waterpump backward the alternator water pump p.s. belt that is. The air conditioning belt is easy. Let me describe there is limited room to feed the belt around in. First thing be safe use jack stands to support the car after lifting car. First couple times doing this job you might want to remove the right front wheel and inner plastic cover to get a better look at the pulleys. Clockwise from the crank shaft (where both belts are driven) Crank, to powersteering pump, over it to under the idler below the motor mount up to the alternator pulley, now down to the water pump ( smooth back of the belt drives the water pump) this is key! then back to the crank pulley. You will tension this belt once now and latter one month from now when it wears a little.
Source(s):
Nissan Master Technician"

pauldun170 · 06-10-2009, 11:37 AM

Pulley stuff

if your keeping the car you may want to pick up a Haynes or chilton manual.
Pretty handy if you are going to be doing your own work.

Tmall · 06-10-2009, 12:57 PM

Glad somebody chimed in with some common sense.

Rules of asking advice on how to get something fixed on the internet,

1. Ppl always chime in with the most expensive and time consuming method.

2. 99% of the time, the fix is something simple and quick to do.

3. If the first advice somebody gives you is to replace without trying to diagnose, ignore them completely.

AquaPython · 06-10-2009, 01:31 PM

the fluid was at the borderline for low. it was not completely drained. is that consistent with a leak ? a small one?

fasternyou929 · 06-10-2009, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AquaPython

the fluid was at the borderline for low. it was not completely drained. is that consistent with a leak ? a small one?

Depends how long it's been leaking, but that's the best place to start. Whenever it was filled, it should have been filled above the lower-limit.

06-10-2009, 11:00 AM	#2
tommymac Moto GP Star Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 11,022	May be better off replacing the pump. Not sure about new but you can get one at a junk yard prety cheap, and will need to rent or obtain a pulley removal tool as well. Tom

06-10-2009, 12:57 PM	#8
Tmall Aspiring Rapper Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Halifax, NS Moto: '12 CB1000R Posts: 3,569	Glad somebody chimed in with some common sense. Rules of asking advice on how to get something fixed on the internet, 1. Ppl always chime in with the most expensive and time consuming method. 2. 99% of the time, the fix is something simple and quick to do. 3. If the first advice somebody gives you is to replace without trying to diagnose, ignore them completely.