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2007 Pontiac Grand Prix Power Steering

Tiny
JMARIEDOIRON
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • 3.8L
  • V6
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 309,000 MILES
Started with a fluid leak.
High pressure hose and pump were replaced.
NO power steering after that, leak was still there.
Steering rack and another new pump went in.
Still had a leak. And power steering only worked when the accelerator was pushed.
New p/s cooler hose and another new pump.
Finally no leaking but the pump whine was still there and the steering was tight and only loosened up when the accelerator was pushed.
Blew through another hose. (Don't know which one) Same story. New hose, new
pump.
I'm almost $2500 in and want to scream!
No one knows what is wrong with this car. It finally isn't leaking but the pump whine is the same as it was in the beginning. Louder on acceleration and louder still on tight corners. P/S doesn't seem to be working at all without pushing the accelerator. Steering is on point when driving but even after 5 new pumps I'm cranking the stereo to drown out the whine.
I'm out of $$ and I'm pretty sure the mechanic doesn't want to see me back.
Please help.
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Monday, February 24th, 2014 AT 3:23 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
The whine is from the valve in pump really doesn'thurt anything cold be from improper fluid not saying it is. When was belt and tensioner replaced last? To get whine out it could also be air so turn all the way to left and hold for 30 seconds then all the way to right and hold for 30 seconds. Do that for 3 times whine may go away. Also check to make sure flid is full prior and after doing this.
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Tuesday, February 25th, 2014 AT 7:01 AM
Tiny
JMARIEDOIRON
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Thanks for the reply.
System has been fully flushed since the work was done. Tires have been turned both ways 10x each side. Should have worked out all the air and now that the leak has been repaired I can't see any air getting back into the system.
I'm thinking the belt and tensioner have never been replaced. But since the mechanic has installed 5 pumps I'm sure he has had a good look at them by now.
The whine is the least of my problems and I'm thinking I might just have to get used to it.
Why is the steering so tight without acceleration? Like I said above the steering is perfect when accelerating but is super stiff without pushing the gas. Makes for a workout when I'm trying to park. The pump also makes more of a groaning sound rather then a whine the further the wheel is turned?
I need to go out of town this weekend and I'm nervous she won't make it.
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Tuesday, February 25th, 2014 AT 8:16 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
The low rpm problem could be the belt and tensioner recommended replacement is 60k for both. It groans because it takes a lot of pressure and just because it was flushed doesn't mean the air is out. It's easy to do what I said an dif it works hey it fixed it.
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Tuesday, February 25th, 2014 AT 9:27 AM
Tiny
JMARIEDOIRON
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Cheers! Thanks for the advice.
I will get my husband to check the tension on the belt. After doing a little more research, this might actually be the solution to my month long problem :)
Do you have any idea on pricing for the belt and tensioner? And is it backyard repairable? My husband has spent the last 6 or so years playing around with our mk1-mk3 VW's but this domestic might be out of his league :)
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Tuesday, February 25th, 2014 AT 11:58 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
It's fairly easy, just move the old tensioner away from the belt takethe blet off takethe bolt holding the tendsioner on then replace the tensioner and belt. Belts run anywhere for m $15-25 and tensionsers anywhere form $59-120 depending on whether or not it is supercharged or not. Pic is for non supercharged and arrow shows direction to take tension off tensioner.
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Tuesday, February 25th, 2014 AT 12:10 PM
Tiny
JMARIEDOIRON
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Ok. So the belt and tensioner look mint.
I don't think this is the problem.

The car seems to have perfect steering first thing in the morning, after sitting all night. But gets stiff shortly after? The problem is only when turning and it's a groaning sound that's coming from the pump, the whine is gone or very quiet at its worst.
Do you think it could be the fluid?
Originally we had the system flushed when we first started to have symptoms with the P/S. The fluid was clear.
Now the fluid is pink?
What do you think? It's $100 to flush it and don't want to waste my $$ if not.
Thanks again
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Friday, February 28th, 2014 AT 8:27 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
You cannot go by color for fluid as different manufacturers use different colors. If ATF or transmissioin fluid was installed then that is the problem as p/s fluid is different trans fluid will cause whines and such with pumps.
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Friday, February 28th, 2014 AT 9:24 AM
Tiny
JMARIEDOIRON
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Ok sorry for the long wait.
I'm way up in the frozen north and it just been too damn cold to be out looking at the car.
So my husband has flushed the car with GM power steering fluid. Seems no difference has been made.
I've got nothing :(
This is my daily and I've been driving it as is just taking extra care when parking.
Do you think this problem could be totally unrelated to the power steering? And just affecting it? Tires?
Is this a trait of a faulty or failing pump?
It's only stiff at low RPM.
Also my Hubby said that when he had the car up to bleed the system the tightness was gone? He was able to turn the wheel while idling no problem.
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Monday, March 10th, 2014 AT 8:17 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
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Without testing the pump for proper pressure and making sure tires are inflated right then not much can say unless sit is a cold weather thing like maybe suspension tings lacking grease but a lot of that is ungreasable now. So I really have no further suggestions at this time. Unfortunately. Normally when a steering box is bad or going bad it will give problems cold then when it heats up it's fine.
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Monday, March 10th, 2014 AT 8:35 AM

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