power steering whine

mitmaks · Post by **mitmaks** » February 6th, 2011, 9:13 pm

So my mx-3 started having this whine. Pretty sure it's pump. I noticed it's wet around p/s pump. P/S reservoir stays full though. I've drained it and put some lucas steering stop leak. It's not as bad but still present. I really don't want to replace pump, looks like pita to do so. I'm thinking maybe draining system and refilling with good ATF+lucas stop leak. What are your suggestions guys?

Ryan · Post by **Ryan** » February 6th, 2011, 9:28 pm

Normally its just because of low/old fluid... or its really cold outside.

pump is a PITA, with the special crush connectors... when I remove engines, I just leave it behind because I don't have the tool for those connectors.

mitmaks · Post by **mitmaks** » February 6th, 2011, 9:46 pm

It's been whining pretty bad, almost like two gears grinding metal on metal

davmac · Post by **davmac** » February 6th, 2011, 11:51 pm

If you've got to replace a pwr steering pump at least you've got a cheap rebuilt available at rockauto - wholesaler closeout for <$50.

mitmaks · Post by **mitmaks** » February 6th, 2011, 11:54 pm

its unclear from shop manual but would I have to remove engine cradle to take it off?

davmac · Post by **davmac** » February 7th, 2011, 2:27 pm

I just did this last summer, but my memory is crap. I am certain that I did not have to remove any part of the suspension or engine cradle. I also know that I did not remove the steering pump pulley because it had stripped on the pump shaft and wouldn't move off the pump. What I can't remember is if I removed the hard pipe from the pump in order to make it small enough to sneak out from under the car.

IIRC there were only 2 bolts that hold the pump. One that could be accessed from the hole in the pulley and through the idler pulley bracket. The other was the key one - it is a bracket that attaches behind the pump to the engine block. I removed the single bolt from the engine block and left the bracket on the pump. It would be easier if you removed the steering pump pulley which in most cases is not hard to do. Just put a screwdriver through the pulley hole to jam the pulley and then remove the nut and pry the pulley off.

Ryan · Post by **Ryan** » February 7th, 2011, 3:09 pm

The pump is held to the tensioner bracket by three bolts that you cannot access without removing the pulley, and one more bolt holding it straight to the block.

http://www.mx-3.com/manuals/showimg.php ... B2-013.gif

Sleeper6 · Post by **Sleeper6** » February 7th, 2011, 4:06 pm

I would suggest a 323 manual rack and get rid of the whole system.

Otherwise ya the pumps pretty straightforward to replace just make sure you get the new O-rings if you do replace it otherwise you have to buy a gasket kit from mazda that will run you in the neighboorhood of $65 just to get the propper O-ring

MrMazda92 · Post by **MrMazda92** » February 7th, 2011, 4:50 pm

Sleeper6 wrote:I would suggest a 323 manual rack and get rid of the whole system.

Otherwise ya the pumps pretty straightforward to replace just make sure you get the new O-rings if you do replace it otherwise you have to buy a gasket kit from mazda that will run you in the neighboorhood of $65 just to get the propper O-ring

Is it that much better?

I'd do this for bay cleanliness alone, if low speed driving isn't ridiculous.

mitmaks · Post by **mitmaks** » February 7th, 2011, 7:08 pm

Thanks guys. I might have to tackle this one this spring/summer. I just wasn't looking to do same thing as on my moms lexus. Engine cradle has to come out in order to replace p/s pump. A mechanic that I know did it for $800 (pump, new pressure line, fluid, labor) which isn't bad compared that shop wanted $1300-$1400 to do it.

davmac · Post by **davmac** » February 8th, 2011, 10:26 am

Ryan wrote:The pump is held to the tensioner bracket by three bolts that you cannot access without removing the pulley, and one more bolt holding it straight to the block.

http://www.mx-3.com/manuals/showimg.php ... B2-013.gif

My memory may be crap, but I was able to remove the pump without removing the pulley. Maybe I was able to sneak the other bolts out, but I don't think that would be possible. This page of the manual seems to support my weak memory.

If you can wait for warmer weather this job will be much easier.

Ryan · Post by **Ryan** » February 8th, 2011, 10:51 am

removing the pump itself and removing the tensioner brackets are two different things. removing the pump requires removing the pulley, the bracket does not...

mitmaks · Post by **mitmaks** » February 8th, 2011, 8:14 pm

davmac wrote:If you've got to replace a pwr steering pump at least you've got a cheap rebuilt available at rockauto - wholesaler closeout for <$50.

I wonder what's the difference between that one and more expensive ones

davmac · Post by **davmac** » February 9th, 2011, 4:02 pm

The difference is no core charge because the supplier has decided to stop rebuilding these specific pumps. Also there is only a 30 day warranty. This exact pump was ~$150 plus a core charge just months ago before it became a wholesaler closeout. I'm only sorry I wasn't able to take advantage of this deal in May 2010 when I replaced my ps pump.

mitmaks · Post by **mitmaks** » February 9th, 2011, 5:19 pm

It this the one we're talking about? part #1085164
Would I have to swap things over from old pump or its pretty much bolt on?

MX-3.com

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