Grand AM GT power steering problem

[shawn]

hello
I have a 2003 Grand Am GT with a 3.4L in it.
I lost all power steering in the car and the pump was making A LOT of winning but the fluid level was fine
I picked up a reman pump with reservoir and a new high pressure line that had a small leak {letting air in the system causing the old pump to wine and growl} Replaced both and bleed all the air out of the system but i still have no power steering . there is no air bubbles in the fluid and the new pump makes more noise than it should i am 100 % sure there is no more leaks in the system.
with the car in the air and engine off turning the wheels lock to lock causes the fluid level to rise and fall almost over flowing and with the car running and fluid level does not move
Is the new reman pump junk is there something i am missing . Also anyone know what kind of pressure should i be getting out of the return hose with the engine running ( I know its a low pressure line but should it still come out with some pressure and speed ??)
thanks

Topic

[EricTheCarGuy]

Normally when you loose power steering like that it’s a rack, at least in my experience. Since you’ve already replaced the pump, that’s where I’d be looking next.

Keep us posted.

[shawn]

Thanks for the insight.
I really hope its not the rack. Thats alot of work especially when i am limited to working on the ground and outside. I have a replacement pump on order to replace the replacement . I have read that its a gamble when you get aftermarket reman pumps. is there any way to test the rack?
thanks for the help

[Jeff Ketchem]

As bad as I hate to second the vote it may be the rack. Since you have a second pump coming, go for it and hope. I went through 3 reman pumps on a grand prix gt once to get a good one. I’ve also seen Pontiac gt cars with same issue that ended up being the control valve inside the rack for variable assist being bad and causing the same symptoms you describe. I hope you got a bad pump though. I’ve been experiencing a terrible time as of late with reman components. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that you are too.

[shawn]

How did you come to the conclusion that it was the variable control valve were you able to
Just replace the valve or did you replace the rack ?
Is there any way to test the rack ?

[Jeff Ketchem]

Just by knowing it was a variable setup. It was a logical choice. The valve wasn’t allowing for assist at low speeds/parking. New rack fixed it. Nothing inside a rack is easy to replace or good for your mental health. try that new pump first since you have it ordered. Worth a shot 🙂

[shawn]

I know my pump is a varied steering pump I will try the pump cause it’s under warranty
So the one coming is free. Is there any way to test a rack or is it just replace it cause
It’s the only thing left. How much movement would you expect to see in a good working pump , car running not turning the steering wheel and then while turning the wheel ( in the fluid reservoir)
The pump I have on there now there is none unless the Car is off any thoughts

[shawn]

Update

Good news i got the replacement pump and it works. I embarrassed to say that it was my fault the other pump didnt work. I pulled the the non working pump off my car and when i wnt to transfer the fitting for the high pressure line to the new pump i saw that there is two groves on the fitting one with a hole in it and one for the o ring. Well somehow i put the o ring on the wrong grove and was blocking the hole. stupid me. So the power steering is back but i still have some wine to the new reman pump. hopefully it will quiet down after a few days of driving.
thanks for all your insights.

[college man]

Glad its working out.

[Jeff Ketchem]

Awesome! Sometimes you just get lucky!

[Author]

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