Did the O-ring replacement, PS still skips
 

I just came in from replacing the O-ring according to the tutorial and filled it up with ATF +3 (new fluids).
Turning it lock to lock still gives me resistance sometimes, like its skipping. My dad says the wheel in front of the power steering pump looks like its the problem of the skipping.

Is there anything else I can do or do i have to send it in to the mechanic for a new power steering system for big $$$?

Thanks

ATF+3??

Isn't that for old Chryslers?

You should be using ATF that meets or exceeds Mercon 2.

eh, so what's the best fluid?

i should be able to drain out what i have now and put the actual stuff in without too much damage to it right? i only ran the car for about 2 minutes or less

Yes, drain it out, put in the new fluid and repeat a few times to flush it out. That is probably your problem. Look at the cap and it should indicate what goes in it. :)

ok, i took it out and replaced the fluids twice and ran the car a little...it still skips but i did not take it out of the driveway.

what else can i do before i send it to the mechanic to get the whole system replaced for like 700+?

Rebuild it yourself for $35+, unless you're unlucky enough to need the cartridge assembly, which is another $91. If there's no damage to the pump body, then it's a pretty easy job to rebuild and clean it.

Mine was 10 years old when I did this a couple of years ago and it's still running great.

http://members.aol.com/kuoh/clean2.jpg

KuoH

When you say skip, what is that? Is it a surge, or what exactly?

I would replace the O-Ring again before I would take it to a mechanic. It is possible that the O-ring was not fixed. I did that once. I took it apart again, and saw that it was damaged. I don't know what happened, but I replaced it again and it solved the problem. The other thing I would check out is around the pressure switch on the line. It is towards the left of the pump. There are wires that go to it. Is there any seepage around it. That could be another source of air. I have had to rebuild a couple of those as well. Good luck. ;) :)

its like if i move it from the normal straight position it will start making a squeaking sound and have a lot of resistance. I can turn the wheel if i yank really hard though.

Can you get me pics of the pressure swithc and how exactly is it supposed to look?

kuoh, what parts do i need and where can i get them? would a rebuild be easy since im not very experienced in dealing with this stuff?

thanks

Your BELT is either worn or too loose. It has to be so tight that you can just barley twist it with your fingers. Take a few turns on the spreader bolt, Don't forget to loosen the pulley bolt. Turn the adj screw 3 turns try it , still skips turn it 3 more etc. Mione was thew same I chaged the O ring ran the pump with the return hole extended into a bucket while I turned the whell full L and full R my buddy poured 3 QT od DectronIII thu it. We tighten the belt as I explained 3 turns at a time and now it is the best it has ever been. Oh NEW BELT Make sure yours is in good shape,

Here is the original thread with some more pics. Basically order all the low dollar items, the bearing being the most expensive, from here or which ever page is correct for your model year.

As for how easy it would be, it depends on how mechanically apt you are. It took no more than the usual sockets & wrenches to get it apart, but some care should be observed. The trickiest parts were getting the new bearing on the shaft and installing the main seal without damaging anything.

KuoH

yea, my mechanic replaced the belt a few times before but it kept wearing out after like 2 weeks or so...so maybe since i replaced the o-ring i should get the belt replaced and see how long it lasts.

ive gotten to driving the legacy (92, FWD, auto) since i tried this...its so slow, but it has power steering

Umm...no. If a new belt is wearing that quickly, then there is either a pulley alignment issue or one or more of them are dragging, possibly due to a bearing failure. Take the belt off and rotate each part by hand to see which ones are dragging.

KuoH