the power steering pump on my dads 2008 legacy sedan is making a bad squealing noise that increases with the rpms. also when you first start it up and turn the wheel it kind of jotly

could the pump be going bad and if so how extensive of a procedure would it be to replace it. 

I've worked on my loyale, but I have a strong mechanical background. 

How is the level of fluid? Otherwise it might be the bearings going bad. 

the fluid lvl is good 

is a bearing something that could be replaced or would i need a new pump?

look inside the ps tank for bubbles - could just be air entrainment from a bad o-ring.
 

 

 

I will check that out 

thanks lucky texan

Squealing or groaning? Squealing is the belt. Groaning is the pump. Screaming is a bearing.

 

Replacement is easy. Just costs you the price of the pump and about a quart of fluid and possibly the price of a belt. Most pumps come with new o rings too.

 

It's one of the easiest things to do on most cars, especially these cars.

well it kind of screams right when you start up the car, but its mostly squealing that gets louder with the rpms 

Check for leaks. A common place is the o-ring where the hose from the reservoir mounts to the pump. The most common reason for noise is air. Sometimes that can be from a leak in the pump, but it's not the only place it can leak. If you have a stethoscope that you can pull the end off, you can put the stethoscope hose near that where the piece that the hose mounts to un the pump, see if the noise is louder there than just next to the pump.

check for the bubbles while idling. Some fluid reservoirs make it tricky, get your eye down close - might need a flashlight.

Hard to tell but I have a feeling it's your belt from the description. A high pitched squeal is the belt. If the belt is slipping it can cause the steering wheel to jerk.

how old is the belt?

 

spray a little water on the belt and see if the noise changes?

Edited March 6, 20179 yr by 1 Lucky Texan

thank you all this gives me a lot to check out. 

 

I will report back!

Replace the belt, sections hose, and o-ring for the suction hose elbow. The dealer has updated silicone o-rings.

 

If that doesn't fix it then get a new pump from the dealer. You'll need the aforementioned items anyway for the new pump.

 

GD

Edited March 6, 20179 yr by GeneralDisorder

 

 

okay so the power steering fluid is full and there are no bubbles in it.
 
here is a video so you can hear the ridiculous sound that it is making
I had my brother turn the wheel from left to right, so when the noise gets louder is when the wheel is being turned.

 

the link at the top of this post is to the video, if anyone can watch it and shed some light on what might be wrong with the pump I would really appreciate it!

that's a weird noise - maybe the relief valve inside? (is the sedan an H6? there's TSB for the relief valve I think)

 

(did you spray the belt with a plant mister? cheap and easy - though it really doesn't sound like a belt. maybe the edge of the belt is shredded and some fiber is whipping around???)

Edited March 7, 20179 yr by 1 Lucky Texan

I did try spraying it and it didn't seem to make any difference. 

make sure the sound isn't the alt. bearing or something else but - if it's the pump, they don't really have a high failure rate so, getting a low miles unit off a wreck is a good option.

If you can, jack up the front end and turn the steering wheel lock to lock numerous times with the car OFF. Make sure the cap is on the reservoir when you do this as the pressure will push fluid out of the res otherwise. Once you've done this a dozen or so times left and right, check the reservoir and top it off if needed. Then start the car and if the noise has gone away, even just temporarily, your pump is sucking air. Check line ends for moisture and replace o rings as needed. Then repeat the wheels up bleeding process.

 

Either the pump is sucking air or you need a new pump.